Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1920-04-01
April 1, 1920
TO OUR PATRONS: (Continued)

rust and storms had deprecated the value Of the
property. Added to this the realization that
plants could not be renewed for low price as the
first ones cost.
Then came again a struggle for existance and with
suspicion and misnfornation quite general with the
public. To this unfortunate condition was added
another which menaced the various telephone
companies. There were larger interests which
entered, absorbed and controlled the business in the
larger towns and by the necessary long distance lines
nearly controlled the business and threatened the
tinction Of the companies i'll the smaller towns.
These general conditions continued until the regu-
laton of the public utilities of the state placed
under the Railroad Commission OF Wisconsin by
law which has been a model for nearly all other
states
Thus while Wisconsin has always been noted for
its hardy, industrious and loyal pioneer, it is also
noted as having of, if not the very best capitol
building in the middle west. But what is more has
produced the statesmen who created and the ex-
ecutves who have administered the best and fairest
regulations of Public Utilities of any in the
Union
1t is through this Commission that standards of
service have been adopted as we'll general regu-
latons governing relations between different
companies that while the Telephone service
throughout the state is complete system, the
companies retain their individual indenttes in the
various localities, not threatened with extinction,
or competition and are better able to look fearlessy
forward with broader view to their duties OF service
to the Public and believe, we, of the smaller local
companies now better prepared to and meet
local needs.
Although limited to only fair return the value
of the property used and useful III giving the service,
either the company the patrons accorded a
fair and impartial hearing upon any subject affecting
rates, service, values, captalizations, and ETC.
That the Railroad Commission is primarily and
distinctly agency of the people, acting first for the
great of the people, is shown by certain attl-
tudes, for instance let company operate at a loss
nd &c i1v of he
but let the service be bad or a complaint from
the customers and the company must make good,
whether they are loosing money or not. The Com
mission has shown it's view III this respect III several
instances where proper rates were refused until pro-
visions made for adequate service. Yet on the
other hand the Railroad Commission we'll as the
Federal authorities require Telephone companies to
keep their accounts as to show the annual
depreciation rott1ng rust1ng wear and tear and
and such, part OF the regular expenses. This
tends to keep a proper renewal reserve security
for the stock holders or other interested investors
who would be the real sufferers in the property
should depreciate without adequate repairs
newals.
Thus it is fact that while the Commission stands
for an absolutely square deal to the public; it must
also in all fairness grant fair return upon the value
of property, used and useful for the service, or in
vestors become discouraged and telephone systems
would rundown and disappear.
Merchants, manufacturers or mines may close up
and quit when business is Improbable, but public
service must close suspend but must con-
tnue until superseded by something better. That
is the thought days in the minds of broad public
The utilities must expand, grow develop and
fill all proper needs Of the people and must be sup
ported by that will attract capital to that end
Telephone development and Improvements have
been retarded by the and now expansion must go
ahead with greater speed than BEFORE even at greater
cost for material, labor and interest on borrowed
money But where is the money to come from? Who
will loan money to a telephone company where the
rates are sufficient to good rate OF interest
property already installed and also the property
to be installed with borrowed money?
To operate telephone system at loss for the past
two years would be to some most dlscouraglng,
especially when it is known that the Railroad Com
mission cannot make a rate retroactive to cover up
past losses, although it stands ready to hear any
cases at all times. Why have delayed hearing?
We must confess that the fault if any, is with us
especially when remember the assurances we have
received from many of those who will stand the
greatest part of the increase costs. But will