The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1922-02-03
RATES TO
BE READJUSTED.

tiers were mailed this week by the De-
pal tment of Public Works notifying
every mayor, city council or commits
sion of every Incorporated city OF
town and all the commercial organi-
cations that are listed, that a sweep
ing investigation into the rates, rules
and regulations of the Pacific Tele
phone & Telegraph Co. and its SUBJ
sidlary corporation. the Home Tele-
phoie e. Telegraph Co., of Spokane,
has been ordered.
As the Pacific company operates eX-
changes or toll lines either directly
or under contract in every city or
town ir the state, interest in the COM
ing investigation will be statewide
Public officials or commercial or civic
bodies who desire to do so may file
complaints, present facts or be repre-
sented at the hearings and the De-
partment at the outset is giving the
public the same notice of its intention
that the telephone company receives,
so both sides may be ready.
The first stages of the inquiry will
be slow and not of public interest, for
It Is in the initial period that the ex-
pert rate valuation and rate engineers
of the Department of Public works do
their field work, examining the COM
pany books, going into records and
making a valuation of the property
Several years ago the state made n
valuation of the telephone systems in
Washington, bat great changes have
occurred since. The engineers must
invt stigate Improvements and ascer-
tain the property that has fallen into
disuse for under the law only such
property as is used or disable in giving
service to the public can be considered
in fixing rates.
When the Departments engineers
| finish their task, copies of the report
will be given the telephone company
and to all municipal bodies which de-
sire to be represented during all or
any part of the hearings. The findings
of the engineers of the Department
may be challenged by the company or
the public, but proof must be submit
ted to disprove them.
Requests for an investigation into
telephone rates were made by the
King County Legislative Federation
and the Women's Civic Club of Seat
tie. Because even the most remote
rural subscriber is affected by rates
given city subscribers and because the
telephone system is spread through
out the state the Department decided
to file its own challenge of all rates,
rules and contracts and make a COM
pleto investigation.
TIE Department will not overlook
any phase of telephone service. MI
merous complains have been made by
individuals who believe special charg-
es are unfair; some complain that the
fee for changing a telephone shoul1
cover the exact amount of work
| necessary instead of being an average
rate charged everybody alike; there
is complaint about rules covering
| desk telephones and small companie.
having connections with the Pacific
company claim to have grievances.
1resmuch as the inquiry is ordered,
the Department is eager that every
person or group that wishes to pre-
sent complaint or suggestion will
do Sc for it is essential that all facts
be gathered for every phase of op-
Grafton and all rules enforced have
hearing on rates.
The big feature of the inquiry will
be TIE establishment of rates, though
too many individuals chatting under
inks ONE regulations, probably the To-
adjustment of burdensome rules will
| appeal more. Whatever the findings
of the Department may be on rates,
rules or regulations every party inter-
ested in the hearing will have right
of appeal to the courts Records
show. however, that the courts have
rarely set aside a Department find
,ng and it is fact that no court has
ever held that any decision rendered
by the Department was unfair to the
public
Because hearings will have to be
held, after the engineers have COM
pleted their work, in all the larger
and many of the smaller communities
of tic state it is impossible to predict
the length of time that will be requir-
ed to complete this inquiry.
Though the telephone inquiry falls
in the division Of utilities, all Depart
mer+ officials will participate in the
investigation because of its import
ance This means testimony will be
taken before Director E. V. Kulken-
dali, Supervisors Hance H. Cleland
and Frank r. Spinning. An assistant
| attorney general will represent the
state and Department engineers will
be yresent.