The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1919-12-25
ELIMINATE TIE TOLL CHARGE

1t seems the general sentiment that
the toll charge applied by the tele
phone company to all calls between the
Hood River and Odell exchanges IS un-
Just to the companys' patrons Of 0dell
and an apparent discrimination against
them. II was naturally to be expected
that the Odell people would protest
the toll, but merchants and business
interests of Hood River and orchard
lists of other sections have expressed a
sentiment favorable to the protest.
No one, who has taken the time to
gain comprehensive understanding
of the public utility's urgent need for
additional revenue, has been heard to
raise a complaint against an increase
in rates. but the means of gaining ad
ditional funds by the toll charge is
fairly universally condemned.
The toll charge is unfair to Odell
patrons. The exchange established
there was not primarily for their bene-
fit but as a convenience to the com
pany. Odell residents should not be
placed on a toll basis when many Of
their neighbors of other orchard dis
trcts, whose service is through the
city exchange, live further from the
district S chief trading point than they.
The toll charge is indirectly a disad-
vantage to merchants of Hood River.
Odell residents have been accustomed
to conduct much shopping by telephone.
The toll charge will limit this to abso-
lutte necessities.
1t was argued, when the rate was
applied for. that the toll charge would
tend to eliminate all but necessary calls
and thus prevent an overlooking of
trunk lines between Hood River and
Odell. But much of the conversation
on the rural lines takes place among
those on party lines and among the
residents of the district themselves
The toll rate will not apply in such in
stance Nor is the principle of the
argument fair to Odell patrons. The
subscribers Of this section should have
right to use the telephone system as
freely as those Of other sections Of the
valley. We viii admit Of the necessity
of additional revenue. but it should be
raised by a more equable apportioning
of the increased charge for service.
We would suggest. as means not
necessarily for limiting calls, but to
limit the time consumed. that the five
minute rule be put into effect. 1t is
indeed rare that a telephone consversa-
tion cannot be ended in five minutes
This rule should be applied, not only to
the Odell lines, but on all the system.
Visiting ever the telephone is greater
nuisance in the country than in the
city, the city having more phones de
voted exclusively to business purposes,
but does exist in town. Long, visiting
conversations over the telephone should
be prohibited. Those indulging in such
practice should really be classed with
the citizen who leaves his garden hose
running of summers night.
1t is generally desired that the toll
charge be eliminated Let's see a con.
ference between representatives. of all
classes of subscribers. Let this con-
ference determine on some flat rate.
equitable alike to the Odell subscribers
and the company. Then let an appeal,
one representative Of all Hood River.
go forward to the Public Service Com
mission. We believe that early acti on
toward eliminating the toll charge will
be taken.