The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-03
Corwine VIII Take. Up Increase
in Telephone Rate Here.
-'LeaVe No Stone Unturned,"
Mayor Tells Committee.
IDEAS COMMISSION UNKNOWN
Mayor Makes No Prediction as
to Course Followed.
Official Meeting to Consider
Rate This Afternoon.

The city of Topeka may take action
protesting against the decision of the
court of industrial relations in grant,
ing the Southwestern Bell Telephone
company an increase in telephone
rates. The city may decide to appeal
to the supreme court in the matter.
or to ask the industrial court for a re-
hearing. Mayor Herbert ]. Corwine
expressed himself as being in favor or
fighting the increase, when called this
morning. by a committee of business
men.
The committee which called upon
the mayor was composed of H. H.
Lewis w. w. Eden and F. L Love-
hess. representing the Square Circie
club. When the Square Circle club
understood that the Chamber 9f Com
merce committee had no satisfactory
result in urging the city to take action
in protesting the increase, the club did
not want to let the matter rest. The
special committee was appointed to
insist that the city fight the courts
decision to grant the raise in rates.
I'VE have come to know IL the city
intends to oppose the increase in tele-
phone rates." stated Lewis, when the
this morning. I'VE feey that the city
should protect the citizens interest in
the matter and feel that now is the
time for the city to step in and do
everything possible to prevent the put
ting into operation of the rates the
planned. Now, we wish to know IL
we may have any assurance that the
city will leave no stone unturhed to
oppose the new rates"
Protect Rights"-Mayor.
You may rest assured that the city
will leave no stone unturned to pro-
tect the citizens rights in the case"
Mayor Corwine replied,
we understand that the Chamber
of Commerce committee for investfga-
tion Of the telephone rate case had
been told that the city would take no
action in opposing the courts decision.
Is that true?" Lewis asked.
Il do not care to comment on any
thing that happened when / met the
Chamber of Commerce committee"
the mayor replied.
May we expect then, taht the city
will agree to oppose the increase?" he
was asked.
II cannot say. do not know what
action the city commission will take"
Mayor Corwine replied.
Three Turns to Take.
'The city is glad to have suggestions
from citizens on the matter" the
mayor continued. Now, as / see II,
there are three courses open TO the
city following the decision. We may
appeal to the supreme court, we may
ask the court 0of industrial relations
for new hearing, or We may smile
and accept the new rate"
"Do you think we should smile and
accept the new rate?" Eden inter
rupted.
mo. do not" the mayor replied.
But I have tried to believe that the
courts decision has been fair in the
matter"
Lewis asked IL the mayon had read
the opinion. The mayor said he had
read it several times. Lewis pointed
out the point in the decision to which
the Square Circle club had taken as
the basis for further protest. He said
4 that citizens should never stand for
the addition of the sum of 100000 for
good will'' to the estimates of the
courts engineer before a basis was
reached in fixing the rate.
I After the $420,000 is added for
good will the figures used by the court
coincide almost exactly with the fig
ures presented by the telephone COM
pany's engineer" Lewis contended.
Meeting This Afternoon.
'T do not think If the city takes
protesting action that any previously
used figures should be used" Corwine
said. Il think the city should make
! a thoro investigation upon its own
responsibility, disregarding the figures
of the court or corporation"
do you think the commission will
agree to such action 2" the mayor was
asked, after f. L. Loyeless, attorney,
had presented the plausibility of the
city's success in a protest suit.
! 'T can't say" the mayor said, but
will call a spcial meeting of the city
commission to decide what to do.
/ When we have the meeting think IL
would be well for you gentlemen to be
present and for any others, also, who
| care to come"
The mayor promised to call the spe-
cial meeting of the commission late
| this afternoon.