The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1953-05-29


MST&T's Montana Counsel R. d.
Corette had been diligently challeng-
ing the right of Senator Anderson to
qualify himself as a spokesman Tor
CONSUMERS. Said Anderson 81 shall
do my best to represent all of those
people of my county, and of the State
of Montana, citizens, workers, small
business men, housewives trying TO
make do with a difficult budget, peo-
pie who can i'll afford to make FUR
Their contributions to American Tel
and Tel, the big holding company
which would be the chief beneficiary
of the proposed increase"
One had the feeling that Tel and
Tel counsel would settle Tor no less
than the signatures of the 100000
Tel and Tel users in Montana, be-
fore anyone could conceivably ac-
cept any word in their behalf.
Further, MST&T's Montana coun-
sci objected to insertion in the rec
ord of Anderson's figures on why
he believed the Commission should
further investigate and consider the
testimony of MST&T's experts"
Anderson said, "Anyone can take
The AT&T and MST&T annual re-
ports for 1862, apply little grade
school arithmetic and see what's hap
,enedp' He offered exhibits for Com
mission consideration based on his
,wn Investigations and study.
Then MST&T's Montana counsel
lid howl. Simple arithmetic? Ye
Iodsl After hours of complicated
expert" testimony who wants simple
So MST&T's Montana
ounsel started badgering Anderson
bout his qualifications as expert"
even to talk simple arithmetic
MST&T's Montana spokesman ask
d Anderson what he knew about FEC
for keeping records.
.nderson admitted his knowledge was
My incidental and accidental" But
Iontana consumers did not have
he benefit of FEC testimony. Should
lontana consumer representative
len have remained silent?
Even after three and threc-quart-
rs days of patient listening to the
ST&T experts" was the Commis-
on expected to ignore the two-hour
of those who spoke in be-
llf of the consumers?
1t was arrogant and i'll conceived
MST&T to try and keep the con
mer side of the issue from coming
fore the Commission.
To those who sat courteously and
tiently for three and three quart
s days listening to MST&T's rea-
ms for needing an increase, the at
ude of MST&T was less than noble.
1t seemed to purvey the attitude
many today, that it is shocking
yond words that anyone could dis
tie the word of "big business
| believe the experts" themselves
re bit mortified at the tactics of
cir counsel. They were, naturally,
n dedicated to their company and
cere in their efforts 10 convince the
Ups Commission of the justice of
,ir cause. don't believe anyone
res exception to men who sincerely
4 Loyalty do their work. MST&T,
our eyes, may not need an in
ase in rates. MST&T may be tax
the wrong road to substitute their
Idlng program, according to our
lceptlon of what are the prescribed
sons for granting increases;
TIT may have more confidence
what the consumers pocket books
take in the uncertain future than
have. But there was NO rancor
'ressed toward any of their wit
ses by consumer representatives.
d the naive consumer representa-
IS expected the same courtesy ex-
ded IN their direction. Silly kids.
" got their nasty ears slapped
m, but good and fast, by MST&T
nsel.
However, after strained ana un-
asant time for consumer repre-
Iatives, the, Commission convinced
I&T counsel that the consumers
I'D be heard.