69-6-103. Maintenance of telephones in offices of railroad, telegraph, and express companies. (1) It is hereby made the duty of every railroad, telegraph, and express company doing business in the state to install or allow to be installed in its ticket office, public office, and freight office, in all cities and towns in this state, where there are, at the time, one or more public telephone exchanges, a telephone of each public telephone exchange in said city or town and to maintain in each of said offices direct telephone connection with each of such exchanges. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to require said railroad, telegraph, or express company to build a telephone line, it being intended to require such company or companies to install or allow to be installed a telephone in each of its offices where it can be obtained by them as they may be obtained for other business offices in the same vicinity. Each railroad, telegraph, and express company shall cause to be promptly answered all calls made over such telephone connection during business hours. Such railroad, telegraph, and express companies shall not, in the absence of an agreement to the effect, be required to bear the expense incident to the installation of said telephones or to any charges for the use thereof. Over such telephone connection, such railroad, telegraph, or express company shall cause prompt and correct replies to be made to all reasonable and proper inquiries over such connection during business hours concerning the passenger, freight, or telegraph service of such railroad, telegraph, or express company.
     (2) The term "business hours", as used in this section, shall be construed to mean such times as the office or depot of such railroad, telegraph, or express company may be open, with an officer or agent of such railroad, telegraph, or express company in charge for the transacting of business.
     (3) Any railroad, telegraph, or express company failing or refusing to comply with the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.

     History: (1)En. Sec. 1, Ch. 182, L. 1907; Sec. 4340, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 6579, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 6579, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 72-624, R.C.M. 1947; (2)En. Sec. 2, Ch. 182, L. 1907; Sec. 4341, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 6580, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 6580, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 72-625, R.C.M. 1947; (3)En. Sec. 3, Ch. 182, L. 1907; Sec. 4342, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 6581, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 6581, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 72-626, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 72-624, 72-625, 72-626.