Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-07
WOULDPUTB BURDEN
IOF PHONE INCREASE
ON HEAVIEST USERS
Supt. CIarkson Thus Ex.
plains Retention of Flat
Rate Policy.


phone Company has not sought to
have the Nat rate or unlimited form
of service abolished, because the COM
pany feels the people want this class
of service.
This statement of policy was
brought out at the hearing before the
Public Utilities Commission today or
the application of the company for
higher rates, when Lieut. Col. Charles
w. Kutz. chairman of the commission
asked w. Il. Clarkson, general com
mercial superintendent, how the rev
enues of the company would be ar
fected by adjustment of unlimited
service
what would be the effect of abol-
1shing fiat rate service" Commits
sioner kutz asked.
Move Would BE Unpopular.
Mr.. clarkson said such a move
would be revolutionary and probably
unpopular. pointing out that there are
$4,000 residences using this class of
service.
The Commissioner then asked ii
abolition of the fiat rate would af-
feet the revenues of the company.
MIR. Clarkson said it undoubtedly
would increase the revenues to some
extent. but that it also probably
taking the cheaper grades of service.
The witness said il would be hard
to predict what the exact effect
would he.
Commissioner Kutz directed Mr..
Clarkson's attention to the fact that
the company is asking only 10 per
cent increase. from s. to $3.50 q
month, in the unlimited service,
whereas the proposed increase for the
heavy users who have measured serv-
ice will amount to as much as 40 per
cent.
Mr.. Clarkson replied that it has
been a recognized policy to put the
burden of telephone rates upon the
heavy business subscribers.
Anticipates Little Change.
Commissioner Kutz asked Mr. Clark
son if he thought greater increase
than 90 cents month in the rate
for unlimited service would cause
private homes to take the cheaper
grades of limited service.
MIR. ClarksOn said the unlimited
rate probably could he advanced a
little more than so cents without a
material reduction in the number
OF subscribers using that service.
William Mex. Clayton of the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations in
terjected that he once heard theory
advanced that telephone companies
would be able to render service
but that such theory has not
worked out in Washington.
Mr.. GARRISON replied that rates
have to based on the amount invest
ed. and that at present the telephone
company is earning about as little on
District.
At noon T. P. Sylvan. vice. presi-
dent of the New York Telephone Com
pany, a former Official of the local
IT.
the relations between the Chesa-
peace and Potomac and the American
Telephone and Telegraph Company.
Would Apply to Government.
In answer to r question, from Nj.
Clayton, Mr.. CfarksoB said that If the
commission grants the proposed in
creases they will apply to the gov
ernmenG departments the same as to
local bukiness users.
The members of the commission
questioned the witness about the in
crease fro ms1 to $1.75 a month in the
fixed charge for slot-machine tele-
phones installed in boarding houses
and similar places.
Mr.. Clarkson said the coin box serv-
re is expensive to the company, and
that inasmuch as the scent charge
for calls on these phones is not being
increased. IL seemed necessary to put
the burden of maintaining this sery-
Ice on the fixed charge.
The Commissioners also questioned
Mr.. Ciarkson about the proposed
charge OF rs cents month to apart
ment house jewellers for the privilege
OF having their names in the tele.
phone directory.
Tho witness replied that such a fee
IL charged in some other cities, but
that primarily the object is to put a
value on something which, in its free
h.
trouble
Mr.. Ciarkson said the company has
dtmeuity in getting accurate and
timely Information as to these apart
ment house occupants, which results
in many errors and duplication of
names in the book.
He expressed the belief that If tho
sum OF % cents ii month is charged
the persons living in apartment
houses which have private branch ex-
changes Will see to it that the com,
pany gets correct data as TO their
names and addresses.
+. 81. Craft, equipment engineer
resumed the stand when the hearing
opened today. In answer to a uues-
tion, he said the company now has
before the government claim for
$4,000 reimbursement for private
branch exchange apparatus. II the
claim is allowed, he said, the com
pany would be reimbursed for it's loss
Answering query by sir. Clayton
the witness said ii would be Difficult,
TO determine accurately the amount
expended for. the government and for
other users during the war. bu, he es-
timated that the expenditures for the
government were not as much az "a
per cent
Questions Ou.-of-T0wn Operntorx.
AT the afternoon session Yesterday
Engineer COMMISSIONER kutZ uues-
toned the prac.,c of the company In
maintaining Il force OF out-of-tDgn
operators in Washington.
At the present ti!u,. lhc." are .s7 of
of these operators here ard /, vas
testified il cost the company sa0S 400
to maintain them dU"iu- the bast
seven months. Commissioner Nutz
figured this amount an 81 : 4 week for
each girl, and asked j.. G. STANDARD
traffic superintendent. how the com
pany justified that expenditure
Mr.. StaEnard replied mat the conn
pany must have operators 10 render
service and that Il has been impossi :
Bile to get suiiic5ru, r,,,nber al
WashiR gton girls. Ny. Stannard then
told of an elaborate campaign con
ducted.to interest local girls in tele-
phone operating.
The witness testified that the turn
over OF operators Is heavy. AS :. rule
he said, one out OF every four girls
leaves during the period OF trainip 9
before she ever gets limo active sery-
ice.
Mr.. Stannard further pointed OH,
that the 3s7 operators now her. from
other cities are thoroughly experi.
enced. IT takes from twelve to eight.
cen months to develop thorough,
experienced operator. he said
r. NJ. Craft, equipment engineer OF
the company. the man who eng incerct
the installation of the many switch
boards and telephones required b,
the government during the war. oc,
cupied the stand during the after
noon.