Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1922-01-02
PHONE COMPANY
RAISES RATES AND
cuts SERVICE HERE
Chamber of Commerce
]. Enters Protest at Loss
Of Manager
PEOPLE HERE PATIENT
Did Not Protest at a
Limited Exchange
Service


Today Palatka is without local
manager for it's telephone company
and is paying little over 10 per
cent more for its exchange service
than was paid last year, the latter
in accord with recent decision of
the Florida railroad commission,
Commissioner Wells dissenting to
teh decision. The removal of the
resident manager has drawn pro-
test from the Palatka Chamber of
Commerce and letter to this effect
has been forwarded to District Man
ager Laird at Savannah.
The proposals of the telephone
compant to increase rates were
made last year. The public either
did not know or did not care, and
little protest was made. The COM
pany based it's contentious on its
small percentage of profit during
the year 1920, the very peak year of
cost of operation. 1t showed prof
it Of about two and half per cent,
while thousands of other business
concerns were taking their losses in
the adjustment period.
To further increase their profits
the company has entered upon a
campaign of curtailment, removing
the local managers in number of
cities, including Manager R. G.'
Spearman, of the Palatka office. He
goes to Jacksonville in the extension
department, leaving Palatka under
the jurisdiction of the St. Augustine
manager. t
According to the order of the
railroad commission the increase in
rates has not been general over the
state, but are confined to Pablo
Beach, Delray, Geneva, Graceville,
Havana, Lynn Haven, Oviedo, Stu
art, Micanopy, ST Andrews, Chipley,
Fernandina, Green Cove Springs,
Lake City, Palama City, DeLand,
Palatka, Daytona, Gainesville, San
ford st. Augustine, Orlando, West
Palm Beach, Key West, Hensacola
and Jacksonville.
Under the new schedule the one
party business rate will be SAILS,
two-party 1928, four-party So, and
an extension 81 extra. The residence
rate will be, one-party $3.50, two
party $2.25, four7party 80, and ex-
tension 81. ~
These rates are applicable in Pa
latka where it is possible to get a
telephone at all, sthe plant here is
so limited in switchboard facilities
that it is practically impossible to
get a telephone in the residence sec
ton at any price.
Protest Removal of Manager.
The matter of removal of the local
manager was taken up at the last
meeting of the board Of governors of
the Chamber of Commerce, and
Secretary Hart addressed the fol-
lowing letter TO District Manager
Laird: s.
'It has come to our notice that
the Southern Bell Telephone compa-
ny contemplates the discontinuance
of the Palatka exchange under a
manager, and that seemingly leaves
this thriving, year-round city on the
basis of small town and an un-
productive community.
We do not question that you know
best how to operate your business,
and we say this with due regard to
the fact that in every movement the
Southern Bell Telephone company
has initiated in this section, it has
heretofore been the pleasure of this
community to support you, at he in
stance Of your present and past To-
cal managers. Palatka, however,
CONTINUED on rage 81