Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1909 — TO BOOST RITES [ARTICLE]

TO BOOST RITES

On Conntry Lines, Is Said To Be Program. TEN-MILE-OUT PHONES *2 MONTH, While Those Nearer “Central” Will Get a Little Better Rate, Graduated By Their -Proximity to the Town Office—Most Patrons Say They Will Have Phones Taken Out Rather Than Pay Higher Rates.

The proposed rafte In telepohne rates is still a live topic of conversation in Rensselaer and in the country hereabouts, and while it is now probable that the 1 city council will grant no increased rate franchise, it will have nothing to do with the country rates, and it is the intention of the telephone company to boost the rates on country lines from 25 to 100 per cent, we are told. This raise is to be made in any event, we understand, and the proposed boost is, it is reported, as follows: Within a radius of two miles of Rensselaer, SI.OO per month; within 4 miles, $1.25; 6 miles $1.50; 8 miles, $1.75; 10 miles, $2. . It is also reported that town patrons will not be granted the privilege of the country lines without paying toll. That is, that no free service will be given town subscribers on any of the country lines, as at present. It is believed by the country patrons that fully 75 per cent of the country phones will be taken out rather than pay the proposed rates, which they state they cannot afford to pay for the little use they have for them, and if tow r n patrons are to be compelled to pay 10 or 15 cents every time they want to talk* with someone out in the country a few miles, there will be a good many phones taken out in town. It is to be hoped > that the company will go ahead and furnish service as before and at the same old rates, or if they do not want to do so, that they will sell their plant to some parties who will. The general opinion is that the plant will pay a good per cent on the actual amount of money paid in on the stock, if w-ell managed, and that the company should not attempt to hold up its patrons for more money because they have suffered some loss for which the patrons are in no wise to blame. The proposition that has been made in some quarters that the increased franchise be granted and that all profits above 8 per cent on the company’s stock be turned over to the city, has little, to recommend it. It could no doubt be arranged so that there would be no surplus over 8 per cent, and the propostion sma6ks too much of paternalism to be seriously considered by our g. o. p, friends, it would seem.