New England Telephone Stance on Massachusetts Franchises
In 1898 99 the New England Telephone Company faced competition attempts as franchises were sought in Massachusetts. The company defended its rates and service urging that state supervision may be needed if public needs require it and argued for a careful investigation to prove fair dealings while opposing unwarranted attacks from rival firms.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Massachusetts
New England Telephone Company
New England
Commonwealth
General Court
New England Telephone & Telegraph Company
American Bell
Middle
Public Service Corporation
New England Company
Sune
Gas and Electric Light Commissioners
State supervision bill for electric transmission debated
Debate over a bill to place gas and electric light commissioners in charge of supervising companies transmitting intelligence by electricity. Provisions cover hearings on charges and service, rate approvals, information access, and public appeals. Proponent argues state control protects the public and limits costly competition. opponent warns of overreach.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Board of Gas and Electric Light Commissioners
Snid Board
Commonwealth
Nhcal
Elec
Praise for the Post on telephoned supervision victory
Public leaders laud the Boston Post for championing state supervision of telephone companies. They note that competition cannot protect the public from high charges or poor service and credit the paper with arousing demand for regulatory reform. Continued on page nine.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New England Telephone Company
Boston Post
Post
Post Victory Sees Recurrent Push for State Supervision
The article recounts seven years of efforts to obtain state supervision for a telephone or telegraph service. It notes repeated House defeats and narrowly supported readings, with opposition rooted in specific legal sections. Senator Dallinger cites personal losses from backing the measure, while counsel Lord denies any pact between Western Union and Bell Telephone.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Telephone and Telegraph
Senate
House
Committee On Mercantile Affairs
Mead
Lexington
Whipple
Brockton
Dallinger
Holbrook
Massachusetts Cmpany
Western Union Company
Western Union
Bell Telephone Company
Powers Speech Acknowledges Shifting Public Sentiment
Samuel L. Powers general counsel for New England Telephone testifies at a legislative hearing on state supervision of telephone and telegraph firms. He cites Boston Post influence on public opinion, recalls petitions in 1898 99, opposes immediate regulation, and argues competition would prove rates fair and service high. He notes past defeats in the House and discusses Western and New England experiences with price and service competition.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Massachusetts Telephone and Telegraph Company
Aldermen
Boston
New England Company
Massachusetts Company
Massachusetts
Commonwealth
Samuel L. Powers
New England Telephone & Telegraph Company
Boston Post
New England Telephone Company
Committee On Mercantile Affairs
New England
Public Hearings Favor State Supervision Over Franchises
The hearings show strong citizen support for state supervision of telegraph and telephone services, with many towns opposed to competition. The speaker argues the New England Telephone Company, Massachusetts owned, deserves scrutiny and that either competition or state supervision could shape long term policy, urging a decision to best serve public welfare.
Ex Senator Dallinger Advocates State Telephones Supervision
The Cambridge ex senator argues for state supervision of telephone services. He notes Massachusetts company opposition and cites a 189 era policy establishing the Railroad Commission as public oversight. He says companies receive state aid and should be regulated when streets are used for public business.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dallinger
Gas Commission
Cambridge
New England
Massachusetts
Commonwealth
Railroad Commission
Also Mentioned on This Page
West
John. J. Whipple
House of Representatives
Ize
Wolcott
Woolley
Perior Court
Samuel IL. Powers
Newton
Marion
Worcester
Bates
Bordman Hall
Willard Howland
MR. Powers
George F. Mead
Cbickering
Waltham
New Bedford
Fall River
Springfield
Lowell
Lawrence
Lynn
Salem
Gloucester
Holyoke
E. RB. Callender
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