Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1920-01-02
PHONE COMPANY HAS
new PROPOSITION
Asks Extension of War Time
Rates Until August To Prove
Inadequate Earnings Here

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Another effort was made by the
Cumberland and Telephone Company
to induce the City Council to recon
slider its action in refusing continu-
ance of wartime rates, at the regular
session of the City Fathers Thursday
night. The company proposes that
the wartime rates be continued until
next August, and a complete state
ment of the business that is done be
submitted at that time, and if the
council and company are then unable
to agree upon what is fair rate,
that an arbitrator be called in.
The company submitted figures in
detail to the council Thursday night,
which indicated that it male during
the year 1918 only SAC pecent on its
investment here. Figures from everv
town in Kentucky were also submit
ted. The company officials assert that
they are entitled by fairness 10 charge
a rate for their service, which will en-
able them to make at least 6 per cent
on their investment. They say that
operating costs during 1919 were far
greater than in 1918, but complete de-
tailed figures are as yet unavailable
as to just what showing the COM
pany's books will make for the year
just closed.
The company's figures skoy an in-
vcstment here of $123, 663.57 for 1918.
Revenues for the year amounted to
$33.627.88 and expenses to $26, $685..
May L. P. Evans submitted the
matter to the council, but not a mem
Der had a word to say, which. had
the effect, of leaving the matter
where it stood, which is that the COM
pany must return to its rates, which
governed here before increases were
made during the war.
The company's new proposition as
made to the city in it's letter address
ed to the Mayor and council, reads as
follows: -
December Both, 1919.
Hon. L. P. Evans, Mayor,
Richmond, Ky.
Dear Sir:
The Cumberland Telephone &
Telegraph Company herewith sub
mits the following proposition:
Said Company ito continue to
charge for it's local exchange service
at it's Richmondy KY, exchange until
August 1st, 1920, the same rates and
charges now being charged, said
rates and charges being the rates and
charges promulgated by the Post
master General.
On or before August LIST 1920, said
Company shall furnish to City author
tiles a complete financial statement
showing the result of said Com
pany's operations at its Richmond,
KY, exchange for a period of twelve
months, charging for its local ex-
change service at the aforesaid
rates.
When such statement is furnished
as aforesaid, the city authorities of
Richmond, KY, and said Company
will enter into negotiations to de-
determine what will be fair and
reasonable rates and charges for said
Company to charge for its local eX-
change service at its Richmond ex-
change.
Failing to reach an agreement
said city authorities and said Com
pany shall agree upon an arbitrator
said arbitrator being a disinterestec
person and not a subscriber to said
Company's services at Richmond, Ky.
to whom shall be referred the matter
at issue and whose decision shall be
binding upon both the City of Rich
mond and said Company for a period
not exceeding two years. Said Com
pany agrees to pay all reasonable
| costs of said arbitration.
In the event arbitration is had ano
the arbitrator should fix rates less
than the rates being charged, sait
Company will refund to its patrons
the difference between said rates
which may have been paid to saie
Company for services render ed from
December 1st, 1919 to August, 1920
Said City of Richmond through its
legislative council shall take such ap-
propriate action as may be necessary
to carry out the terms of this pro
posal.
Cumberland Telephone & Telegraph
Company, Incorporated.
By D. v. TURNBULL, Genera
Manager.
! m Fr,rr