The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1921-08-26
Telephone System
Gets Last Hearing
Public Utilities Commission Is
Now Preparing Decision
Little or No Constructive
Complaint.


the present Maui telephone rates and
toll system permanent was presented
at Tuesdays public hearing before
The public utilities commission in the
town hall
When the meeting was called to or
der by Chairman |. NJ. Stainback,
shortly after 10 o'clock in the morn
ing, there was none present with a
complaint.
Later, T.. X. Bevins, county attorney
and representing the special commit.
tee of the Maui Chamber of Commerce
appeared and reported what the com
mittee had gathered in the way of op-
position to, or complaints against, con
tinuation of the temporarily authoriz
ed rates; and G.. d. Lufkin, vice-pres
ident and manager of the Bank OF
Maui, arriving toward the end of the
meeting, declared for what he con
sidered more equable rates, inasmuch
as he believed the bank was not pay
ing a large enough fiat rate as com
pared with rates charged much small
er and neighboring patrons of the sys-
TEN, although he informed the com
mission that he had no concrete OF
constructive suggestion to make.
Not in Position to Suggest
Mr. Lufkin told the commission he
thought the public was in no position
to make constructive suggestions as
TO how the Maui Telephone Company
might meet such complaints as were
made. 1t was his idea that the tele.
nh oh off tho nt1h1i ia
the choice of various methods of charg
ing. Personally he did not like the
toll system at all. For one thing
he considered it detriment to the
celebrated Maui community spirit, and
to a very considerable degree. The
toll system seemed to introduce feel
ing of separation among the various
ISLAND districts, he felt
Modern Charge System
Chairman Stainback inquired if the
bank manager did not realize that
everywhere, in large cities especially
the tendency of the times was to
charge in accord with service render
ed; nor did this growing system ap
pear to work to the detriment OF
community harmony.
lhlll luChllOllCu tit poli
Fnrancisco slug system as an example
of what might be introduced here;
where telephone subscribers We're on
titled to so many slugs for their flat
rates, paying extra for additional
slugs. He expressed surprise that
some Maui, subscribers, on some OF
the longest lines in the system, were
charged at a lower rate than sub
scribers on comparatively short lines
Thinks Charge for Change is High
The charge made for moving a
phone instrument was high, Mr.. Luf
kin believed. He had been charged
Sc for a very minor operation-the
mere transfer of an instrument from
desk to wall Following this charge
he had himself performed the neX'
transfer of instruments required. He
supposed the company would senc
him a bill just the same. now thai
he had told the secret. Manager L
A. Brown laughingly promised to sec
that Mr.. Lufkin promptly received
bill.
w. d. Stone, acting treasurer o
the Mutual Telephone Company, eX
planned that charges for moving in
struments were established on the
law of average of service
| Speaking for the Chamber of Com
merce committee, County Attorne!
Bevins said that the committee ha'
received nothing in the way OF con
crete suggestions except that the com
pany should allow a certain numbe
of calls. under the fiat rate, for tn
benefit of thinly populated districts
| II seemed. he said. that, for the mos
mart. people were inclined to make tn
hest of the system as now conducted
at least nothing definite or author
tative had been offered by wav OF cor
structive suggestion for relief.
Private Phones Abused
William F. Pogue, manager of tn
East Maui Irrigation Company ma
made objection to the abuse or nj
phone at the end of the government
road on the ditch trail, said Bevin'
II seemed that his phone was cor
sidered more or less of a public II
stitution. People used it without hi
authority and he had to pay the tolls
He had given orders to the telephon
company, Pogue had said to charg
for no calls except such as We're mad
on his authorization. Everybody con
ing over the ditch trail. who wante
to ring for machine, made free us
of Mr.. Pogue's telephone.
Bevins said that W. o. Aiken ha
similar complaint to make.
Chairman Stainback intimated thu
it was the subscribers responsible
to keep deadheads from using n
phone thatit was up to the man pa,
ing for the use of the service to sc
that those who made use of his Il
strument paid for their calls; or til
subscriber was privileged to prever
his instrument being used as a publ
} pohne.
| (Nantinmad On Daua Ton \