The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1921-04-07
DECISION OF LOUISIANA RAILROAD

The history of these proceedings is set forth in
our Order of February 26, 1921. In our opinion
In that case we discussed the salient points as de-
veoped in the evidence taken before the Commission
December 18th, 18TH and nth, 1920; and February
total Of about 700 pages of oral testimony and
Includes some 80 exhibits. Among the exhibits are
Included detailed analyses Of the various accounts t
the accounting rules of the Interstate Commerce
Commission; copies of its contract with the American
Electric Company and comprehensive explanation of
al Of the elements which are to be considered in
cases Of this character.
Protestants, the City of New Orleans and others,
aleRe that they are entitled to a second rehearing
because they did not have sufficient opportunity
to prepare their cases properly and to secure neces
sary material evidence
The case is an ex parte application filed by the
Cumberland Telephone and Telegraph Company for
authority to advance It's exchange rates at various
exchanges In the State Of Louisiana. The Com
mission in such hears any party interested in
the proceedings may be present and receives COM
munications from those unable to personally present
their views, considering such communications as
arguments for or against the issues involved This
h na OF he hearings in
Rouge, Louisiana, In December, 1920 and February,
1921, given to each city where there was an
exchange, by mailing copies of the notices of the
hearing, together with pamphlets containing the
proposed rates to the city authorities commercial
organizations, and all other parties who had filed
protests and by giving general notice Of the hearing
through the press. This same procedure has been
followed in substantially all important cases before
US.
There number of appearances at the
December and February hearings from various parts
Of the state and these parties took part in the
hearings; and the City Attorney and Assistant City
Attorney for the City of New Orleans conducted an
elaborate cross-examnation in December, 1920, and
February, 1921, Of the witnesses of the telephone
ole k,y,.
the others present. Statements were placed in the
record by others present, outlining their views. A
witness introduced on behalf Of the protestants
against the raise, who was examined at length.
at the close Of the hearing December II,
1890, the parties notified that the case would
be held open until December 81, 1920, to permit
anyone who desired to do so to file briefs. The
that January 1921, the had been submitted
to the Commission.
The Commission met in regular session in
Baton Rouge on the 25th Of January, 1921, and con-
s s the sp Of the
consisting Of S35 pages Of oral testimony and
numerous exhibits. In order to have the latest
figures showing the financial and operating condi-
lions Of the company before It, we had previously
requested the telephone cornpany's officials to
furnish giving the aes. svasbs
the company's telephone business in Louisiana.
These figures were furnished. A majority Of the
assd 1n s Il. Bs V aqs o1sas
70 file an application for re-openins Of the case
therefore, and BY spRoF nsn the Chair
the City Attorney and Assistant City Attorney,
together with the Mayor and Commissioner of Public
IN New Orleans On Friday, january s aS, 1921, at
II a.. m. At that time the formal application was
presented for rehearing re-opening Of the case;
and, after some discussion, an order was entered
permit
New Orleans to have Its expert testify. The expert
employed by the City Of New. Orleans had been
Involving telephone rates, among. which were the
New York telephone case, the Alabama telephone
3ss the tesphoes company produced its witnesses
ana my Were hrS n tor
witnesses were introduced, the first of them being
an expert accountant. number Of other witnesses
The City Attorney Of New Orleans at the OPEN
ing Of the hearing on February "a filed motion
for continuance on the same grounds as
urged. The Commission declined to continue the
case, but the protestants were advised that II at
The close Of the hearing it seemed necessary to
hold the case open for the taking Of further tes
renewed and would be given consideration.
The accountant employed by the City of New
he was thoroughly familiar with the telephone
eompany's affairs, and that inasmuch as he had
recently been q witness In the Alabama and Mis-
ceedng number Of exhibits dealing with with the the
general situation which had been used in those
cases. He introduced forty-seven exhibits great
tie figures which had previously been introduced
BY the telephone company at the former hearing
in December Other witnesses for the City Of New
hibits with the general decline in the wholesale
prices Of groceries, hardware. copper, lead lumber
and building materials. After two and half days
day. February 2e. 1891, closed the case; and imme-
diately after recess the case argued and SUBJ
mitted, the companys attorneys urging the Com
the other, inasmuch as the had been filed with
the Commission for a period Of more than five
months and had been under consideration for more
than two months After the parties had submitted
the case executive session was held and the
application Of the City Of New Orleans for a con-
thuance for the purpose Of taking further testi-
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