Salt Lake Telegram | 1934-04-30 | Page 1 | High Court Hits Phone Company

HIGH COURT HITS PHONE COMP ANY Throws Out Year 10 Fight for Higher Rates in Chicago Area WAShINGTON ApriL io o UP- UP The Thc supreme court threw the Illinois Bell Telephone company's year 10 for fight for higher rates in Chicago out O of or court coutt to today ay in an opinion which not only sharply criticized the company corn com pany but will serve to refund millions mil mu- lions ot of dollars to Chicago telephone users The opinion was one or of the most important utility decisions to come out of the court in years The case was before the court three years ago and at that time was remanded remanded re- re to the federal district court for tor further findings The rhe findings were praised in the opinion written by br Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes The rates under attack were those established by the state ut utilities commission commission com com- mission in 1923 and represented a are reduction re- re below rates then in effect which had been promulgated in 1921 The court pointed to the company's experience under the 1921 rates and expressed the opinion that this indicated indi- indi that the 1923 rates were not Setting aside consideration of the carefully prepared tabulations of values and prepared by the lower court the supreme court turned it more to the company's con conduct of business since 1921 I