The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-11-23
WANT CHEAPER PHONES
THE CHAMBER or COMMERCE HAS
BELN INVESTIGATING,
AMI Find That Oiher Cities are Putting In
New Exchange With Reduced Ratss.
Abolition to the Iouncll.

Abolition to the Iouncll.
A called meeting Of the board of direc-
tors OF the Richmond Chamber OF Com
marce was held yesterday evening. Pres
ent: George l.. Christian. president; S. X.
Halves. first vice-president. q. II. Baugh-
man. T.. A. Catlin. G.. Harvey Clarke,
E. F.. c. Davis, J. Taylor Ellyson, J. c.
Freeman. W. B. Freeman. Ware B. Gay
Jackson Guy, r. w. Powers, r. G.. Rem
nolds, ]. NJ. Taylor, j. K. Wiiiiams, +.
NJ Wbittle. Jr. w NJ. Woodward and
A. X. Yarbrough directors, and Messrs.
+. X. Deane, J. W. Harrison Saihuel
REGISTER and George ~ Smith.
CHEAPER TELEPHONES.
The object Of the meeting being TO con
slider a report from the committee Oh
Postal and Telegraph Service, reiatins =, ~
the question of telephone rates MT. A. "
IarbrOugh, chairman of this e)muit'ee,
owing TO his absence from the city on
the occasion OF several meetings, Caheu
upon Mr. r. II. Deane, who had acteu as
chairman on these occasions, TO make
brief statement OF the situation.
Mr.. Dsane, In response TO TINS request,
explained that the question OF rates hau
first been brought to the attention OF the
Chamber by communication from MI.
Samuel REGISTER, containing clipping
from the Knoxville Sentinel, quoting the
manager OF the Knoxville Exchange as
promising the patrons Of that exchange
reduction Of ten, and possibly twenty
dollars, upon the regular rate or iltty-
four dollars (Which was the charge for
telephones in business houses at Knox
vile), and that this reduction was con-
templated In consequence or expired
patents used by the telephone company,
u would
royalties they had previously paid.
Mr.. Deane said these royalties had
formerly been one OF the strongest argu-
ments of the telephone people I'm advanc-
ing their rates TO the present high figures.
Another argument. he said, was that the
cost OF the service was increased with
the increased number Of their patrons,
whereas every business man knew that
as a business was enlarged economies and
savings could be effected, and he thought
this was especially the case with the
telephone business; at least, no one was
prepared 10 believe that the cost per
instrument was less to the company In
Richmond when they had one hundred
patrons and charged a lower rate. than II
was now, when they had over one thou
sand subscribers. that, for himself. he be-
leved II their rates had been lower all
along they would have made more money
by largely increased business
THE KNOXVILLE REDUCTION.
II was subsequently reported 10 the
Chambe~'s committee that an uctual ie-
ductiOn OF eighteen dollars had been made
by the Knoxville Exchange and this re-
port was quoted In a letter II the COM
mittee to the Richmond Exchange. but
though the committee was miginformed
in this particular. the actual basis OF the
demand for lower rates existed IN the
reduced cost Of the service due 10 ex-
pired royalties, and. therefore the com
mittee still thought their demand for a
"a ina
was perfectly legitimate one This de-
mand had been form lily refused by the
representative Of the telephone com
pany.
Notwithstanding this, the company now
desires 10 secure from the city the privi-
lege OF constructing subways in the
streets OF Richmond which unless grant
ed with such guarded restrictions and
phone people will be unwilling TO accept.
VIII result In serious barriers being
placed I'm the way Of any rival or COM
petin2 company, and serve to strength
en- the position Of the present company as
a monopoly
The committee under these cfrcum-
stances, thought II imperative at once 10
report the situation and their conclusions.
THEIR REPORT.
The report Of the Committee on Postal
and Telegraph Service was as follows
Your (. minittee on postal and telegraph
service. to which a communication from
Mr.. Samuel ReSestpr. relating to the
question of telephone rates In Richmond.
! was referred respectfully request ana
urge the board Of directors Of this Cham
Der TO address without delay communi-
cation TO the honorable city Council OF
Richmond upon the absolute importance
of Withholding all further grants and
privileges 10 the Southern Bell Telephone
Company.
Referring TO the movement already made
hts no fora . Ia, a
Buildings Committee OF the city Coun-
ell for further privileges. and u the sup
port for this movement sought from
citizens OF Richmond, by means OF a
petition now being circulated your com
mittee are induced to make the above
recommendation from the Weli-fOunded
conviction that it will be but short time
before competing companies will apply
for the privileges or franchises necesSa-
~ TO enable them 10 furnish telephone
service to the citizens Of Richmond at
much reduced rates and with probably
greatly increased facilities for commune
cation, and yet conform to restrictions
and regulations which will be vastly to
the benefit Of the city Of Richmond
Should the Bell Telephone Company be
now invested with additional or increased
grants. such grants will. I'm the opinion
OF your committee operate as serious OBJ
Stacles TO any new companies desiring 10
construct and operate a telephone plant
in Richmond; when. In the opinion OF
your committee, they can demonstrate
the vital importance Of inviting such com
paneS to enter the Held. and will be glad
10 appear before your body for the pur-
pose OF doing so.
In connection with these Views. your
committee deem 1t proper to report that
after full correspondence with the Rich
moud representatives Of the Bell Teie-
phone Company, upon the question OF n
lcgt climate reduction I'm telephone rates.
they deem II impracticable 70 make any
further effort in that direction, and beg
10 submit the correspondence OF the com
mittee had upon that subject. In support
OF this position, and also letters bearing
upon the prospect OF securing more rea-
sonable service from other companies.
LETTER FROM KNOXVILLE
After the reading Of the report. In adj
dition TO the last letters exchanged be-
tween the committee Of the Chamber and
the Richmond Telephone Exchange, the
following letters were read
Knoxville Chamber q Commerce
November Is. 1894
Secretary OF the Chamber OF Commerce.
Richmond Va:
Dear Sir,-Absence from the city has
prevented an earlier reply 10 your favor
of the 5th instant. The matter OF tele-
phone rates has frequently been dis
cussed In our Chamber. Before the eX-
pration OF the Bell patents, I'm January
last, Mr.. Harrison the manager here.
had assured us and we have no doubt
that he was so authorized by his com
many that any reduction In cost that