New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-09-19
HEARING
CONTINUED BY COMMISSION

The hearing on rates of the Noun
tain States Telephone and Telegraph
company adjourned after short ses-
sion Monday morning to a date TO
be agreed upon both parties This
action was found necessary to give
the state corporation commission an
opportunity to study the data and
reports, which had just been filed by
the telephone company, and prepare
its case.
The hearing opened Monday MORN
ing before the full commission, Hugh
H. Williams, chairman Bonifacio
Montoya and J. NJ. Luna, Commits
sloners. Assistant attorney general
mission. Mrs. Edward Stafford is the
official stenographer, and F. F. Cord
rate clerk. Milton Smith Of Denver
). B. Davis Jr. of Las Vega, and Z
X. Wright of Santa Fe are the attor-
neys for the telephone company
Among the Mountain States officials
present were {. Z. Stratton, division
general manager of FL Paso Dean
d. Clark, division commercial super
intendent of Fl Paso; and J. B. Rey.
nolds, district manager.
The reports and data filed cover
the period up to June 80, 1919 The
commission had also requested
statement of the business Of the
company in New Mexico for the
months of July and August which
reports the attorneys for the tele-
phone company say will be filed in
the near future. There has been de-
lay in closing the accounts during the
July, the last month under Federal
operation.
1t was suggested that the tele-
phone company assume the burden
OF proof to show that the increased
rates are necessary in view of the in
creased cost OF material and opera
tion. The officials of the company
declined to waive their right in the
matter, but assured the commission
that the company stood ready to
give the commission every opportu-
nifty to go into every detail OF their
business. The company seems an
xious to make full and clear show
ing as to the necessity to retain the
higher rates
1t was agreed among the parties
10 the hearing that as carly a date
As possible should be set Tor the full
hearing The commission will, how-
ever, take the necessary time to go
into the case fully and be ready 70
take the matter to the supreme court
Tor final adjudication, should this be
found advisable
] Sparks manager OF the Socorro
Telephone Company also.appcareh at
the hearing Iii, company is am
'aous to be permitted 10 increase the
present telephone rates"
The petition of The Clovis patrons
Ior better service was also on file
Il is understood that former attor-
ney general Harry J.. Patton viii
appear for the Clovis petitioners
The commission has received a re.
port from ! g Fish manager OF the
kstancia Telephone Company The
business telephone rates m E,taucia
re S20n mouth aud the residence
-ate $50 ranch and farm rates Slm
md where the user owns the equip
mcnt 20 cents. Mountaiuair tele-
phones connected mp with the toll
ines Of the company cost 500 per
MONTH
The commission had called no wit
les,c> for the opening day OF the
lcar'nL because IL wa, unable 10 de-
learing. because il was unable to de-
? had had time 10 study the reports
# the telephone company n J., the
purpose Of the commission to get AZ
he bottom OF the case that it may
lccidc II strictly on lis merit, When
hearing again is convened. it is
iEcly that witnesses viii be on hand
The commission Is still receiving
cports from mayor, iu rcplr % The
sent out 20 them for
Information ON telephone condition
q their locali'ie, In places there Is u
1urh dissatisfaction with service and
ates while in other localities there
, little complaint This indicate,
bat service is better in some place,
han others