536

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

two hundred and thirty -two B, two hundred and thirty-two

C, two hundred and thirty-two D, two hundred and

thirty-two E."

SEC. 232 A. No individual company or corporation, now

or hereafter owning, controlling, managing or operating

any telephone line or lines within the limits of any city,

town or village in the State of Maryland, shall charge

Telephone

collect or receive, as rental for the use at any and all hours

rates

of the day and night, of such telephone and lines connecting

with a central exchange, or point of communication through

which conversation may be held, over all other lines con-

necting with such exchange, or point of communication, in

such city or town, any sum exceeding six dollars and fifty

cents per month, when one telephone only is rented by one

individual, company or corporation, located within a radius

of two miles from the central exchange, and one dollar

additional per month for every additional mile distant

from said exchange; where two or more telephones are

rented by the same individual, company or corporation,

located within a radius of two miles from the central

exchange, the rental per month for each telephone so rented,

shall not exceed five dollars and fifty cents per month, and

one dollar per month for every additional mile distant from

said exchange ; provided, that the individual, company or

corporation desiring to use such telephone and lines shall

agree to contract for the use of such telephone and lines for

a period of not less than six months.

SEC. 232 B. Where any two cities, towns or villages are

Rates

connected by wire operated, managed, controlled or owned

between
towns

by any individual, company or corporation, the price for

the use of any telephone for the purpose of conversation

between such cities, towns or villages, shall not exceed

fifteen cents for the first five minutes, and for each addi-

tional five minutes no sum exceeding five cents shall be

charged, collected or received.

SEC. 2.32 C. The word "telephone" wherever used in

Meaning of

this act, shall be construed to include, and consist of a

Telephone

receiver, a transmitter, amagnetto or call-bell, or cell bat-

tery, a back-board, a battery box and all necesssary appli-

ances now and hereafter in use for and constituting a tele-

phone equipment as now are heretofore rented by telephone

companies to their patrons and subscribers.

SEC. 232 D. Every telephone company with wires wholly

or partly within this State and engaged in a general tele-

phone business, shall, within the local limits of such tele-

phone company's business, supply all applicants for telephone