To the Editor of the 1 "NontH-Cxtsa Dat News." seivice—which after all is the Primary object of its existence, Tam, ete., Sin,—After' reading Mir. Porter's etter' to the Councils in, support of the application for "Messcese rate" charges, one is left with the feeling that, if the Company's case is really as' strong as they endeavour to make out, it would have been Possible to put it clearly and concisely, without wrapping it up in an enormous amount of verige—some of it almost self-conthadictory—as to becloud the real 'Undoubtedly the only attitude Which the' coitmunity can adopt towards the "message pro-ossal is to have general' position is: well outlined in your leader this morning. So far tone has mot heard of any of the Tesidential' subscribers objecting to the "flat' rate" charge, and the Company's sudden desire to do something on their behalf which may (but most probably will not)' ultimately result in the saving of, few cents per month—provided the telephone ig used for receiving calls only—does not coincide with the attitude of indifference to subsérib-x3' interests which has for so long characterléed the Company's actions.
Shatighal, June 27, 1929, To the Editor of the "Nontit-Cuivd Dany News"
"Sit—I am not sure that I have read all the' correspondence ani editorial comments which have appeared recently in your paper unde the above heading' so it is: possible that the following figures have ready been brought under revie ff not I think they moy be at least interesting to your readers and right be used og a basis for the question "will the Directors' fees be further increased to absorb the additional revenue which may be expected to result from the introduction of the message rate' sy3- fen rectors' Report for Year ended March 31, 1500 states that the total number of calls on the day of record was sutuing that the charge contemplated for "mest vote" system is five per call 95 The gross revenue per. dayr receipts"
One point, which is carefully avoided is the fact that the tele-hone fs intended to perform "twoetvice, and. that it is very often a greater convenience to be message than to ne else, The adoption Message rate" would tend to make one think, twice—hefore telephoning information. to, another subscriber, even though the latter might be only too pleased to pay the fee.
Having had' fifteen, years expiértence ofthe Shanghat telephinie ser-vee, I chnnodt see that the Company has' sufficiently justified" itself to warrant th' subscribers Raving any' great faith' in its promises for bet: ter service "ip the future." T sub: Scribe to five'lines in my office and house, and the former articular hive been a constant source of anrtoyande, Adinittedly the Corpiny hai wttéinpted to, int-prove the sotvide, for seafeely day pusiet without two or three Teged meéghanics' and a_ foreign supervisor spending some time: "putting the lines in' arden" but Sooner ave we assured that everything fy perfect than we know by rude experience that it is decidedly not s0. As evidence that our troub-
Jes axe not enrively due to the personal element, but rather to mechnical troubles, T instance the follow ing constant causes of complaint:—
(1) Take off receiver—no dial-presumably year's Fevenue would be obtain= by. multiplying the Gross secepta. froth sabe ipliong. om the: Rad
studing' thank ai ti ed Paten 3 sagt fe pate Femoval charges, ete. (of ber published recounts) 1,329,25428
Additional Revenue F 845,007.33
Tain, etd,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.