The herald., 1921-03-10
Conclusion

The telephone has now ceased to be a luxury.
1t has become vital necessity. Business is abso-
luteiy dependent upon it If the entire telephone
system Of q city like New Orleans were to close
down for twenty-four hours the business of that
city would be practically paralyzed 1t has be-
come an essential part of our home life, as well
as our business life It must function.
The telephone business is also q constantly
growing one and it must receive rates sufficient
to permit It to get capital with which to ex.
tend. There are thousands in this state now with
out service, who entitled to receive same. I'M
less this company can earn q fair return on its
investment, it cannot obtain new capital and with
out new capital 1t cannot supply the demand Cor
new and increased facilities.
We are, therefore, compelled by reason of the
showing made at the hearings before this Commits
sion to grant the increase asked for except insofar
as the increase in the farmer lines rates. and al
to them same is denied. 1t is, therefore,
ORDERED, That the petition of the Cumber-
land Telephone & Telegraph Company for a re-
vision Of its maximum rates and charges for vari-
Gus classes of service in the State Of Louisiana,
which proposed revision Of rates and charges are
set out and shown in detail in schedules presented
by it in this case and now on file with the Com.
mission Exhibit No. Id in this case, be, and the
same is hereby granted until the further orders Of
this Commission and subject to review and revision
by the Commission at any time. except, however az
to the proposed revision of rates and charges for
farmers lines and farmers exchange service which
Is hereby denied. It is further,
ORDERED. That the revision of said rates
and charges provided for in this order shall be eff
fective and from March 1st, 1921. 1t is further,
-. ORDERED, That petitioner be and is hereby
durin he Of ordar nj
semi-annual periods, beginning with January /,
1921, and after the expiration of each such
period such statements reasonably be pre-
pared by it. to file statements setting out in detail
the results of its operations and of its financial
condition. 1t is further
ORDERED, That the Commission retain juris-
diction of this case, holding upon the docket
for the purpose of making such changes in the
rates. rules and charges of the petitioner the
Commission may, upon its own motion or otherwise,
deem necessary proper and for such other orders
as may arise in the premises; this order being sub
ject to review and revision by the Commission at
any time.
It is further
ORDERED, That a general Improvement in tho
telephone service throughout the state be expedited
with all possible haste and such changes, additions
and betterments be made as WILL with the greatest
possible dispatch, supply telephone service to all
who demand service, and that the service be
brought to the highest possible state of efficiency
It is further
ORDERED, That all rates, schedules, tariffs
and orders in conflict herewith hereby cancelled
and annulled when this order becomes effective.
BY ORDER OF THE COMMISSION
Baton Rouge, louisiana
February 26. 1921.
Commissioners:
SHELBY TAYLOR,
Chairman.
JOHN 7. MICHEL
tsiened) HENRY JAsTREMsK.