The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1921-03-05

, week regarding tnC maj decision OIL
the Telephone Rate Increase case
that has been pending before the
State Railroad Commission for sew
eral weeks.
On Monday the hearing came to a
close after several days of bitter
fighting between representatives of
the Cumberland Telephone Company,
and Attorney Ivy Kittredge and other
representatives of the City OF New
| Orleans.
J After submitting a great deal OF
evidence. showing that the increase
in rates is unjustitied under present
conditions, the Citys Council request
cd y continuance of the case for thir-
tv days. as they claimed further val
robIo information could be gained by
waiting that long.
The members of the Railroad Com
mission finally consented to wlthhoio
decision for time.
Breach of Faith.
According to reports. however
barely an hour after taking the case
under advisement," the Commission,
evidently dominated by Mr.. Shelby
Tavlor. decided the case in favor OF
the Telephone Company, and gave
permission to the increase in charges
asked for.
General Public Against Raise.
When the proposition first came up,
several weeks ago, storm OF protest
sprung up all over the State. Civlc
organizations, mass meetings, city
Boards, everywhere demanded that
The public's interests be protected.
The New Iberia Chamber of Com
merce sent a strong message to show
this community's stand on the mat
ser
So general was the objection that
t was thought impossible for the
Commission to rule in favor of the
Increase.
Shelby Taylor Reversed Himself.
1t will be remembered that last
5 ptember the Cumberland put into
general practice an order making all
phone rentals payable in advance,
monthly.
Several letters were sent from New
IBERIA to the Railroad Commission
protesting at this action, and we have
n our office an answer from Mr..
Shelby Taylor to such a letter writ
en- him by DR.. W. F. Carstens of
his city.
In part, Mr.. Taylor said, at was
plain to the Commission that but one
# two courses was open" either toI
How the Company to collect phone
entails in advance, or grant them an
Increase in rates. And he further
implied that the first course was tax
IN to forestall the necessity of grant
'ng an increase in rates at this time
This letter from Commissioned
taylor will be sent to Attorney Kit
'redge in New Orleans.
Turned to The Wall.
One of Mr.. Taylor's life long
Frlends, and one of his warmest sup
'orters here in the last election, was
Wr. McGary, local representative of
he Louisiana Rice Growers .Associa-
ion.
But Mr.. McGary is also one of the
eaders, locally, in opposing the phone
ate increase. He has written let
'ers, and spoken to Mr.. Taylor a
number of times on the question, and
s now much disappointed in the Com
action.
Since the opening of the last poll
,lcal campaign large picture ofl
Taylor has adorned the wall over MR.
McGary's desk. But Tuesday morn
ng we noticed that the picture is
low turned to the wall. And it is a
natter of general gossip that Taylor
an look for another job when his
present term as Commissioner ex-
'ires, as far as McGary is concerned.
Demand For Re-Hearing.
All over the State mass meetings.
ire being held this week to demand|
l re-opening of the case.
The Chamber of Commerce here
received a telegram from the Cham
Der at Ruston, La, Wednesday, A..
W., reading as follows:
"Our' people vigorously opposed to
telephone rate increase. Citizens
Mass Meeting instructs this organiza-
ion to contest. We ask your organi-
ion to join us in requesting imme-
liate hearing. Wire answer"
lSigned) Ruston Chamber of Com
nerce.
To which our Chamber replied by
sending a copy of telegram sent to
he Railroad Commission, and to
Hon. w. J. Burke and Mr.. Ed. L.
Sstorge, now in Baton Rouge at
ending the Constitutional Conven-
ION |