South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-16
EXPERTS CLAIMS
IN TELEPHONE RATE
HEARING ASSAILED
Counsel for Company Ex-
amines COMMISSIONS Off
Cial-Seek More Raises.

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 15-CBy A
P.)-Attempts to break down the
credibiLty OF the testimony Of NJ.
D. Atwater as telephone expert for
the public service commission were
made today by w. II. Thompson, OF
counsel for the Indiana Telephone
Co, when the commissions state
wide rate case was resumed.
The direct examination Of Mr.
Atwater was completed within few
minutes after the resumption Of the
hearing, which has been in adjourn
ment more than a week, and AIr.
Thompson at once began the cross
exa M nation.
Mr.. Thompson succeeded in gain
ing an admission from Mr.. At
water that his estimate as 10 tho
cost OF equipping Indiana Bell ex-
changes with a certain type OF
switchboard that is said to be in sue
cessful operation at Lacrosse. Wis.
was not based on definite figures.
Mr.. Atwater has testified that such
a switchboard could be installed in
Indianapolis at a cost Of $40 q
line. Mr. Thompson said that the
telephone company engineers had
made a thorough investigation and
had said that in giving his estimate
While undergoing direct examination
he had done so under protest mas
much as he had not had time to
make a thorough investigation as 10
the cost. Mr.. Thompson however.
declared that the protest did not
show in the record.
Question Authorities.
In refutation Of Mr.. Atwater's
previous testimony 10 the effect that
Independent companies had led the
way in the development os the art
Of telephony rather than the gem
eral staff Of the American Tele-
phone Co, Mr.. Thompson question
ed some Of the authorities referred
TO by Mr.. Atwater.
Mr.. Thompson sought 10 bring
from Mr.. Atwater an admission thar
criticism Of a certain type OF tele-
phone receiver made in a book on
Telephony and attributed by Mr.
Atwater as directed at Bell company
instruments. was really intended by
the author 10 apply TO Independent
company equipment Mr. Atwater
admitted that ne might have been
mistaken because OF the unclearness
OF the Illustrations IN the BOOK.
The cross examination had not
been completed this evening when
adjournment was taken.
During the day the Indiana Bell
company filed a number OF addi-
tiOnal petitions for increased rates
on its exchanges throughout the
state. The petitions filed today are
part OF the company's program
10 bring 10 the attention OF the
commission the rates on all ex-
changes which it operates in In
diana. A number have been filed
previously. The present statewide
invests cation IS expected 10 deter
mine a reasonable basis for rates
on all the exchanges.
Particular attention Is being Civ
en- 70 the relations OF the Indiana
Bell with the American Telephone
& Telegraph Co with a view 10
learning whether the Indiana com
pany i9 receiving fun value under
It's license contract that provides
for payment OF / II per cent Of
!tS annual gross revenue 20 the A.
7 & T. in return for which Il re-
ceives the use Of instruments and
the benefits OF discoveries made By
the general staff Of the A T & T.
The exchanges for which petitions
for increased rates were fled today
follows:
Logansport, Marion. K0komo
Huntington. Evansville. AIexandrIa.
Gas City, Hartford City, Fair!and.
Jeffersonville. New Albany. Green
wood, Cumberland. Brooklyn, Sa-
yah, Henryville, Manila, New Har-
mony. Louisville. R!chland. Grand
view. Dale. Marengo, Tennvson.
NeWburg, Cannelton. Sellerg5urg.
Salem. Tell City. Spencer, Rockport. 4
French Lick, Mount Vernon, Boon ,
Vile, Bloomington. Bluffton. Mont
pel-er. Troy. Oliver. Utica, Smith. /
Valley, GreenvilIe. York town. Cul-
yer, Leavenworth. Rome City. Boggs
town, Charlestown. Osceola, New
tonv!lle, Hatfield. Lamar, Chrlsmey
and Bunker Hill.