The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1920-04-23
Written Opinion Is Handed
Down By Public Utilities
Commission
MANAGER ARNOLD
MAKES STATEMENT
Rumored Today That Case In
Common Pleas Court May
Now Be Dismissed

The Mt. Vernon Telephone Co. is
permitted to make toll charge Of
five cents for communication between
the exchange in Mt. Vernon and GAM
bier, and toll charge Of 10 cents for
communication between all other
points In Knox county.
This, In substance, is the opinion
and modification of order returned by
the public utilities commission of
Ohio late Tuesday afternoon.
Copies Of the opinion in the case of
l.. b. Walton and Paul NJ. Ashbaugh
VS.. The Mt. Vernon Telephone Co.
were received by officials of the tel
ephone company and Prosecuting At
torney Paul M. Ashbaugh Wednesday
morning.
On March 4, 1920, the public utili-
ties commission rendered an opinion
in which it established toll charge
of five cents in all parts of Knox
county.
The officials of the Mt. Vernon Tel
ephone Co. felt that this order was
made under a misunderstanding, and
filed on application for modification
Of order. A hearing was held April
/, and, according to the opinion rem
dered by the public utilities commits
sion late Tuesday, the Mt. Vernon
Telephone Co. is permitted to make
a toll charge Of five cents for COM
munication between the exchanges Of
Mt Vernon and Gambler, and ten
cents for communications between all
other points in the county, which in
clude Fredericktown, Danville, Cen
terburg and all other villages.
Copy Of the Order y
Following is copy of the order
made by the commission on Tuesday:
ORDERED, That the finding and or
der made and entered herein as Of
date, March 4, 1920, as aforesaid, be
and hereby it is modified and amend
ed to read as follows, to-wit:
Upon consideration whereof, and
being fully advised in the premises,
=" ** the commission finds:
"a That the toll charge of ten
3. cents per message for communica-
tions between the defendants ex-
changes at Mt. Vernon and Gambler,
is excessive, unjust and unreason-
able;
(2) That reasonable and just
charge or toll for communications
between defendants said exchanges
is five cents per message, and
CD That the other rates, charges
tolls and rentals set forth in the
aforesaid schedule, or any of them
are not unjust, unreasonable or eX
cessivc.
1t Is therefore
ORDERED, That said The Mt. Yer
non Telephone Co. be, and hereby II
is notified, directed and required tc
substitute for its toll or charge fol
communications between its eX
changes at Mt. Vernon and Gambler
hereinbefore found to be excessive
unjust and unreasonable, the toll ol
charge for such service hereinbefort
found to be just and reasonable. 1t II
further
ORDERED, That schedules be filet
In conformity to this order. 1t Il
further
ORDERED, That as to all othe
matters and things therein set forth
the petitions herein be, and hereb.
they are dismissed"
The Public Utilities Commission
of Ohio.
Charles c. Marshall, Chairman
Beecher w. Waltermre,
Byron M. Clendening,
Commissioners
Mr.. Arnold's Statement
In discussing the order of the pub
lie utilities commission Wednesda
morning, Edward o. Arnold, genera
manager of the Mt. Vernon Telephon
Co., said:
"The privilege Of limited calls t
other exchanges, which has been a
lowed to certain classificatiOns of sui
scribers, will, under this order OF tn
commission, be discontinued
This change will not affect tn
cost of the telephone service to tn
large majority of patrons of this con
pany, but will result In better service
Those patrons who desire large
and more costly service than the o.
dinary subscriber, will pay for thi
service in just the proportion the
use it, which is the fair way for a
concerned"
Facts in the Case