The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24
CUT IN TELEPHONE.
RATES ANNOUNCED
AFTER AGREEMENT
CONTINUED From Page One.)

lngS Will pc reduced S2lS,OOO an
nually through the establishment of
the new rates.
In an opinion prepared by H. F.
Lee. associate commi ssioner, the
commission stated that the telephone
company's officials we're fair and
frank in presenting their records for
the inspection of the commission and
that all Investigations convinced the
commission that no greater reduc-
ton would be possible at this time.
To Buy Equipment
Col. w. E. Bare. Alabama man
ager of the company, stated that the
reduction in rates was much more
or thought necessary or justified at
this time, but that the company
would accept the order and make a
faithful and efficient effort to main
tain the service up to high stand
ard and that the company's construc-
ton and extension program would in
volve an expenditure in Alabama
within the next five years of not less
than s5,750,000 for additional equip
ment. Colonel Bare also stated that
some economies had been effected
because of increased efficiency due
to the company's ability to establish
and maintain more stable forces fol-
lowing the war period and the I'M
usual conditions existing for several
years following the war. He further
said the company. with the continued
cooperation of the people and the
authorities, would be able to extend
and develop the telephone service and
facilities.
SO Towns Benefit.
Fifty-six Alabama towns will re-
turn to the telephone rates which they
had at the time the Postmaster Gen.
eral established a schedule of rates in
1921. This means a reduction of 20
per cent in the rates which have been
charged in recent months.
Under tho commissions order the
following towns in Alabama will take
a rate of SO for one-party business
line and So for one-party residence
telephone: Calero, Carbon Hill, Clan
ton, Dora, Falkville, Fair Hope,
Flomaton. Fort Deposit. Goodwater,
Gurley. Hanoeville, Hillsboro, Leigh
ton. Mooresville, Pinkney City. Town
Creek, Warrior, Bridgeport. Center
Vile, Chronicle. Cordova, CORTLAND
lColumbiana. Dadeville, Hurtsboro, Liv
ingston. Montevallo. Moulton, Pied
mont, Stevenson. Thoma sville, York.
Cities which will take a rate of
1926 for a one-line business tele-
phone and rate of 50 for one
party resident telephone follow:
cite, Brewton. Clayton, Eutaw, Ever
green, Fort Payne, Greensboro, Gun
tersville, Hartselle, Jackson. Jackson
willie, Lafayette, Marion, Prattville,
Russellville, Sylacauga, Tuskegee.
West Blocton, Wetumpka.
Alfalfa will receive one-party
business rate of 1925 with a proviso
for 81. Attalla's one-party residence
rate will be So with a rate of $2.75
| for Gadsden connection.
| Auburn's one-line business rate was
placed at $3.50, with a one-party res
idence rate of $2.25.
Cities which will take a one party
\ business rate of 1885 and a one-party
residence rate of $2.35 follow: Athens,
| Cnllman, Eufaula, Jasper and Tai
ladega
| The following cities will have a
feline business rate of s4.40 and a
incline residence rate of $2.75: AL
bany. Decatur, Florence, Opelika, OK
ford, Sheffield, Troy.
Cities which will take a one-line
business rate of $4.S5 and one-line
residence rate of SO follow: Admission,
Bessemer, Gadsden, Huntsville. Selma
Tuscal oosa.
Mobile and Montgomery will take
a one-line business rate of IS and q
farmers line rate of 81, while the
one party residence rate will be $3.50
the two-party residence rate So and
the four-party residence rate s2.25.
Birmingham's Rate.
Birmingham's business rate will be
$3.50 and farmers line rate 49, while
its one-party residence rate will be 81
two-party residence rate $3.50 and
four party residence rate, $275.
If persons in Birmingham, Mont :
gomery and Mobile desire a limit
placed messages on their telephone
they may obtain the following rates:
Birmingham. Sc with limit of 100
messages month and a fee of cents
for each message above 100; Mont
| gomery and Mobile, $3.50. with a limit
| of 80 messages month and zee
of cents for each message above 80
Patterson Com1nents.
| Following the issuing of an order
President Patterson, speaking for the
commission, stated that they regarded
the readjustment of rates with the
| telephone company as to the ad-
vantage OF the users of the service
Mr.. Patterson said: almost i'm
m ediately after the present commits
sion was organized the matter was
taken up with the officials of the tele-
phone company and their willingness
to make accessible to the commi sson
land their auditors and engineers all
of their books and records, made il
possible for the commissioners to ar
rive at the facts of the telephone sit
uation many months sooner than if
a contested and prolonged hearing
had resulted, and this direct and prac =
teal method saves many thousands of
dollars of expense to the state and
to the telephone company, all of
which is a direct saving to the peo-
pie as the expense incurred, not only
INV a -tn h1tt hx- hn fol ,In,,
company, in the end comes from the
people of the state.
THE rates at all of the exchanges
| operated by this company in the
state have been substantially reduced
and the commissioners insisted upon
the introduction of four-party line
residence service in the exchange
areas at all exchanges and the re-
.sult of this is that residence service
fis now available in nearly all of the
| exchanges of the state at lower rate
than has heretofore obtained, and that
| telephone service will now be made
available to large number of people
who have not heretofore been able
TO have service. and further, that this
is of material advantage to existing
subscribers of the telephone company
as it will give them more extensive
| and generally used service than has
| obtained in the past. thereby increas-
ing the value of the service to the
people and at the same time giving
| them lower rate.
More Telephones Needed.
THE telephone business is far from
a completed industry Not only is
| the demand for service increased be-
cause of the increase in population.
but a larger per cent of the popula :
ton is requiring service. Therefore.
| of tn