Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-13

nouncement was made that tele-
phone representative would meet with
the federation on December 30 as
result of arrangements made by the
communications committee, to explain
the proposed Encouragement of serv-
ice to subscribers in Chevy Chase, Be-
thesda. Takoma Park. Silver Spring
and other neighboring Maryland COM
munities. Mr. Shoemaker arose TO pro-
test that there could be no further
waiting until disposition is made of
the question which he called an 'emer.
gency." Maryland residents are emit
tied to Washington City telephone serv-
ice without additional charges or dis
examinations he demanded in asking
that the rules be suspended to permit
a full discussion of the question.
Telephone Rate Hit.
Shoemaker then offered the follow
ing resolution:
Resolved, that it is the position OF
this federation that subscribers of the
Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co.,
residing in that portion of Maryland
contiguous to the District OF Column
bia line are entitled to Washington
CITY telephone service at washington
CITY prices. with the possible addl-
ton of a mileage charge only against
those subscribers who reside at an
extended distance from the company
exchange.
Resolved, further. that a speclal
committee be appointed to draft a olll
for presentation to, and passage oy'
the Congress of the United states re-
ouiriug interstate telephone rate
ka hx tnlQnhOne
companies with the Interstate Com
merce Commission and making new
schedules subject to suspension upon
the order of the commission.
Resolved further, That another spe-
cial committee be appointed to pre-
pare and file at once, with the Inter
state Commerce Commission. formal
complaint in the name of the proper
parties against the Chesapeake d Po-
tomac Telephone Co. attacking the
reasonableness of the existing rates
for the Washington city service now
being furnished to residents of Mary
land, and that said committee be in
structCn to devise ways and means Tor
collecting funds for the employment
of counsel TO represent the citizens
before the commission
Held Arbitrary Tax.
Mai. Lee denounced the proposed
telephone schedule as "a purely ar
bitrary tax with no increase in cost
involved, yet to be applied to the
greater Washington area simply be-
cause the subscribers are on the
MARYLAND side of the boundary line.
IF we are to combat this thing
he declared. ito remain in the mid
die of the telephone book instead of in
the back. we have got to organize.
Should a study of all the alleged dis
criminatory rates imposed on Mary
land residents prove them governed
on a cost basis. Maj. Lee said. the
rates should be paid without protest
otherwise they are unjust and dis
criminatory and should be ended.
Another important matter coming
before the federation which held its
meeting in the Kensington Armory
was brought to its attention by J.
Bond Smith, chairman of the legis-
lative and uegal action committee.
who reported from the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad that the selection of
the lexington site for farmers mar
ket and wholesale market area would
not involve the construction of a
freight belt line through the Maryland
suburban areas. This was the first