Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-09-11
AN OPPORTUNITY

AN OPPORTUNITY
An important hearing is on before
the state Public Utilities Commis-
sion that is asked to approve an IN
crease Of rates in the telephone serv-
ice. At Boston. next Tuesday, the
Interstate Commerce Commission Is
to hear protests against certain IN
creases in railroad rates. There are
Indications that the public Is taking
very little interest in these hearings
Presumably later 1t will be interest
ed and will not be at all reluctant IN
voicing protests. Then 1t Will be TOO
late.
Such lack Of interest is UNDER
standable. The matters involved are
largely Of technical nature with
which but few experts are acquaint-
ed. It is not improbable that people
have assumed the rates will be rails
ed, whatever they may do. This as
sumption, in view Of the rise In
prices of other commodities, is
reasonable one. On the other hand
people should ascertain if possible
Just what rates would be fair, just
what is absolutely needed.
OF all the public service corpora
tons which. theoretically, the public
hires to render service. agreeing
that the rental shall be sufficient for
the maintenance and reasonable in
terest on the capital invested, there
are none in which the people are
more intimately interested than in
the telephone. In this country there
are 1871 telephones to every hundred
Of the population; in Europe. but 1.4
there being in the United States
about 63.7 per cent Of all the tele-
phones in the world. The employees
of the telephone service are part
Of the public. Last year 47.23 per
cent of the revenue was paid out in
wages to these employees, and even
this did not eliminate all cause for
criticism of the service. Then there
has been a doubling in the costs OF
material. :. According to statistics
this increase reached the peak in
1920. subsidized a little but is again
on the ascending scale. Here are
sound reasons for increase, but how
great an increase; how much consid-
grafton should be given to increase
in business in given territory, also
70 many other conditions that might
affect the situation and modify con-
clusidns formed without knowledge
of al the details? That knowledge
the public as a party to the matter
should endeavor to obtain.
Among those, who make up that
public, there doubtless are many who
think the public is not sufficiently
protected under existing conditions
against extravagant management of
corporations, high salaries, fancy
fees to favorite counselors, apprais-
ais, to mention some of the POSSIBLE
tiles of outgo. Extravaganza Of man
agement was strikingly demonstrat-
ed before the country when the Gov
eminent took over the management
of railroads. It has been commended,
not only by shippers objecting to
rates. but by employees seeking raise
Of wages. that there is extravaganza in
management, which should be curb
ed. Reductions that have been made
suggest there was some basis for the
complaint. but just what, the public
does not know and is not likely to
without wisely conceived and direct
ed effort on its part. Is this forth
coming. and isn't it time to make a
beginning when opportunity presents
itself? Possibly there is somewhat
Of opportunity for a beginning, If no
more. at these hearings relative to
increase Of rates. Certainly these
afford people undoubted opportunity
for asking questions and insisting on
answers.
1t seems pertinent to ie.iad cur
selves that these rates cannot he q
justed by means Of petitions CT pro
tests Our laws provide that there
shall be an adequate return to the
public utilities on property used and
useful. Just what that may be is a
question it is the public's business
to know about. One business man
does not unquestioningly accept an
others valuations. however much he
may respect the sellers personal in
tegrity; he endeavors to ascertain
for himself. By way of illustration.
the telephone company chooses three
reputable men in each community to
report the valuation of its lands and
buildings in that community. With
out questioning either the honesty or
judgment OF these appraisers the ay-
erase business man would seek to
compare their appraisal with the an.
praisal OF the assessors in that com.
munity. And this would be but one
Oh many features concerning which
ne naturally would seek for furthar
disinterested information - 'ne
AS previously remarked. tecbnio.,
knowiedge OF telephony is an essen
ual 70 a comprehensive undervta.s
ing Of the subject; rate hearing =,
1oros an opportunity for makirr ~
enort along that line. Are we to-
ing ADVANTAGES ~ 40