Southern Bell Telephone & Telegraph Co. v. Clayton

Are poles rentals charged by a telephone company to electric power companies and other users of its poles includable in its franchise tax base? The answer to this question must be found in G.S. 105-120, the pertinent portions of which follow:

“Franchise or privilege tax on telephone companies. — (a) Every person, firm, or corporation, domestic or foreign, owning and/or operating a telephone business for the transmission of messages and/or conversations to, from, through, in or across this State, shall, within thirty days after the first day of January, April, July and October of each year,…