The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-11-15
Bell Telephone Charges an Eco
nomic Disgrace-C. nj. Reed.
Chairman of Kansas p. Z. C.
Speaks to Detroit Meeting.
MONOPOLY GROWING ANNUALLY
Warning to Public That Burden
Is Getting Heavier.
Telephone Interests of Country
Passing to Single Control.

Detroit, Mich, Nov. lot is clear
that the American Telephone and Tel
egraph company acknowledges owner
ship of substantially two thirds of all
the telephone interests in the country
and this rapid pace toward a complete
telephone monopoly is a threat to the
public which will impose a burden of
hundreds of millions or dollars upon
telephone users, both local and long
distance" declared Chairman Clyde NJ.
Reed of the Kansas public utilities
commission in an address here today
before the national convention of rail-
way and utilities commissioners.
t'It is shown by the records that the
approach to a Bell monopoIy of tele-
phone service has resulted in higher
charges TO the public" Chairman Reed
continued. ''The telephone is not a
luxury. An effort should be made to
furnish some class of service on ba-
sis of rates that would meet the needs
of every class of citizenship, SO far as
that is possible. The Kansas commits
sion regards the methoos and prac-
tices of the Bell companies in this re-
spect as contrary to sound public
safety
Besides Chairman Reed, H. B.
Thayer. president of the American
Telephone & Telegraph company, and
Frank B. McKinnon, president of the
United States Independent Telephone
association, were to address the con-
was, Regulated Monopoly" and Mr..
McKinnon's. Regulated Competition"
Chairman Reed had for his subject:
THE Viewpoint and Interest of the
Public
Thayer and McKinnon.
''Mr. Thayer is the mead of the
nearest approach to a complete mo-
nopoly in any important service or
manufacturing process that exists in
the country today Chairman Reed
| Il.
non is the head of the struggling,
somewhat ineffective remnant of the
independent telephone interests
There can be no criticism of
lack of frankness in the mon1poHstic
policy of the A. T. & t." Mr.. Reed
continued. 1T proclaims its intention
of performing and constituting a ma
tionaI monopoly of telephone service.
1t sets forth in its las annual report
the extent to which it has been sue
that of the total number of phones in
the United States, about fourteen mil
lion, S,914,155 or 63.7 per cent are
Bell owned, and that the Bell connect
ing phones number about 4,466,06 or
about 31.9 per cent of the whole.
Shock to Public Mind.
eff the public has not understood
the situation, it is not because of any
attempt on the part of the Bell to
conceal the iacts. It would probably
be shock to the public mind and
perhaps a surprise to many members
of the utilities commissioners asso-
citation to realize the extent to which
the telephone service of the country
has passed into the control of a single
interest,"
Chairman Reed read a number of
letters received, he said. from the
state commissions of New York,
Massachusetts,, Colorado, Maryland,
West Virginia, Tennessee, Wyoming,
Washington ard others. telling of "the
extent to which the Bell interests
have observed and eliminated, as a
serious business factor, competition
from independent telephone com
panies."
Rates a Scandal
"Our telephone service the speaker
continued, lis the best in the world,
but this applies to Independent service
with equal force, anC our~teIephone
rates, particularly many long distance
rates, are and should be recognized as
an economic scandal"
Chairman Reed told the commits
sioners that mo single phase of pub
lie utilities regulation in Kansas has
much trouble; has been the subject of
steady growth of the Bell interests
tiona1 policy, crushing in one way or
to a greater degree than any other
ings and orders of the Kansas COM