Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 February 1916 — TELEPHONE HEARING POSTPONED ONE WEEK [ARTICLE]

TELEPHONE HEARING POSTPONED ONE WEEK

Charles J. Murphy, One of the Members of the Public Service Commission, Asks Delay. Charles J. Murphy, of the Public Service Commission, who is to hear the case in connection with the application of the Jasper County Telephone Company to raise its rates, telephoned W. L. Bott, the secretary, treasurer and superintendent of the company, Monday evening that other matters were demanding his attention and that it would be necessary to postpone the hearing for another week. "Mr. Bott telephoned George H. Healey, editor of The Republican. Some two years ago when a fund was raised by popular subscription among subscribers the money was deposited in the name of The Citizens Committee at The First National Bank and the amount not expended at that time is still on deposit and is being used in behalf o f the interests of the patrons to get a fair and honest adjustment of the matter at this time. The writer has not aimed tp assume any guardianship for subscribers, but we regard two things essential in this case and will present these view's to Mr. Murphy through counsel that has been employed. One thing is the necessity for the patrons of a utility being represented in order that the commission may get a fair idea of local conditions and the other is to give the patrons an opportunity to learn some things which they have a right to know about the utility and its management. The delay of the week is a good thing. The Republican believes that there should be at the meeting as many of the subscribers of the company as, possible. They should hear the issues brought up and be prepared in their own minds to decide Whether the commission’s verdict is right. • / So far the agitation has had one good effect. It developed that the company acted entirely without authority in charging subscribers $1.25 per month and the* company is now paying back the overcharge. Some have received a rebate of 25 cents per month for several months and others for a less time. All will eventually, doubtless before the hearing of next week, receive a return of the overcharge. , There are a number of interesting things to be brought out at the hearing and the postponement should give a better opportunity for getting the matter permanently settled so far as Rensselaer is concerned. An attorney in this city called at The Republican office Monday to say that an effort should be made at some not far distant tiipe to get a reduc-. tion of toll rates and this a good suggestion. : The Republican washes to be understood correctly in this matter. We have no personal fight with the telephone company or its owners. We have nothing but the highest regard for them as citizens and businessmen, -but they are naturally anxious as the owners of a public utility that is safe against competition to build up for themselves an investment that is a big dividend paying' one. The increased rate asked would mean several hundred dollars per year. If it is necessary to provide a fair return on the investment over the running expenses we shall welcome it. So far as we are affected -personally we have been paying $2.50 in our office for a long time and $2.25 in our home for a long time, Having an extension at our residence that is charged at 50 per cent advance over the cost of a single phone. This statemerit is made in order, that none may thing that The Republican is making a fight for what •it means to. the publishers personally.