National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-12

| to the Telephone Company. No other telephone
could be had to-day without lawsuit.
Mr. Greenlees detained any intention to reflect
on the committee, but thought they had lost their
backbone at the last moment.
| Mr.. Wheatley said that in Baltimore they had
private wires for $50 per year, and in Norfolk
where they communicated with cables under deep
water, the charges were Sll5O per quarter.
STILL DEFIANT.
Mr.. Clagett said that at the opening meeting OF
this association he was inveigied into making
| some rash assertions. He was, unfortunately, a
| Washingtonian, and had been used to seeing men
back down. The committee was composed
of the cream of the business element here.
In their report they first say don't accept,
and later on ask that the rates be adopted
He advised all present to keep the plug in not
to bulge an inch. or hair, and they would
| find that they were the men wanted by the com
psny. Let the Telephone Company try the plan
of the association and for six months keep record
of messages. The telephone vas new thing
| twelve months ago. and now the people who came
forward and helped were told that the more they
did the more the company lost. Stick now to this
thing, and il will be worth millions of money to
this city.
Mr.. Cochran said he was the glorious minority.
He did not sign the report for several reasons The
schedule, which was their ultimatum, was too
much like Maynard's, which all had repudated.
He was not 'S25- or no telephone man., but
wanted to pay fair price according to the value
of the plant" In this instance the largest as
sessment made could be duplicated for $4,000.
Now, what were these gentlemen entitled to? IL
they did give $4,000 for the plant, they
should be the losers, and not the subscribers.
IfeYery subscriber kept his plug in the company
would have 10 come to them. He knew the pres
ent rates were extortionate.
Dr. Young moved that the executive committee
be authorized to strike out that portion of the re-
port providing for the making of contract with
the company for six months by individuals.
Mr. Morrison moved that the plugs be keptin for
six months. The company had come down before
when the plugs were put In and would come again.
Mr.. Greenlees offered as amendment for the
recommendation of the committee, That this as
ISOLATION maintain its present attitude until ac-
ceptable rates are made by the company"
The question was then put upon striking out
the recommendation of the committee providing
for trial of the rates by subscribers and the
were in manifest majority.
A PIQUED COMMITTEE.
The executive committee thereupon rendered
their designations, which the association de-
elined to accept. A long discussion ensued.
which was ended by the retirement of the
committee for consultation. Upon their return
they submitted recommendation, making it OBJ
ligatory upon all members of the association to
give the new schedule a trial for six months.
which was agreed to. The report of the commit
tee as amended was then adopted. 1t was then
stated that the committee would hold confer
ence with the Telephone Company to-day, and the
meeting adjourned