The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-11-03
FREE TRLHPHOSES WANTED.
A Proposition Of tho southern Bell Tsle-
phone Company Rejected

The subcommittee appointed by the
Committee on Grounds and buildings so
lCCk into the matter OF securing better
tc'ephone facilities for the MUNICIPAL de-
partments met last evening at go o CLOCK
IN the city Engineers office. Mcssrs.
Gunst chairman, and KING were pros
cnt on the part Of the committee, ana
the city Engineer and Mr.. william ~.
Thompson, sJpcrntendcnl OF thJ nIe
alarm telegraph, were also on hahH'
while Mr.. G. r.. McCluer, superintendent
Of the Southern Zen Telephone Company
represented that concern. ,,.,
Mr. MCClutr submitted letl'I "iiiNi'
he had written upon trleSraphic instfuc-
lions from ;he officers Of his company
In New York IL sets forth that the com
pany was paying at present 10 lht Cily
Il Richmond the sum OF &lO annually 10
CITY taxes. they allowed the wires OF
the fire department 70 be strung on thelr
poles free of charge, and they were also
paying about $3.50 for STATE taxes. Inc
company was willing TO furnish telephone
facilities to all the municipal depart
mentS at a reduction OF - per cent
These privileges, together with the taxes
paid by the concern, were equivalent 10
an expenditure OF about AW( year.
Mr. King called attention to the TACT
that the Council had asked for the fTce
use Of telephones for the CITY han, ana
the company was now making counter
proposition, which he thought couid not
he accepted by the committee. In ms
opinion the company should give the
committee a direct reply to their prop"-
siIgn.
The city Engineer stated that in the
CitV Hall tWCuty-iOur Office telephones
and six private line call telephones would
he needed. Mr.. King thought the city
stables should also be included in the
Sir. Gunst thought the demand of the
city was very reasonable and should be
Nv McCIuer suggested that the demand
or The Ctty had been met by his company
i'm a fair manner, by Offering a reduction
of 10 per cent. for all telephones used by
city departments. When questioned by
Air Gunst he stated that his company
owned between LOO and 200 telephone
poles I'm this city.
Colonel Cutshpw and Mr.. Gunst stated
that they understood Judge Holiday
counsel of the company had declared on
q former occasion, that the city could
secure the telephones needed free Of
charge. provided the number asked for
WAS reasonable.
Hpth members Of the committee were Of
the opinion that the proposition Of the
coDlDaDy could not be recommended 10y
Thorn. After some further discussion, the
subcommittee decided that they would
next Monday at j. NJ, and they sug-
reeted TO Mr.. NcCluer 10 communicate
UIrh the officers Of his company IN New
York az once and inform them that the
committee insisted upon a free telephone
service for all the city departments. Mr..
NcCluar agreed TO write the letter as
desired
Nr. Gunst produced letters from the
municipal authorities of various other
cities. setting forth that the telephone ser
wee was not only furnished free Of charge
10 the various city departments, but that
besides. I'm various instances the telephone
company paid a pole-taX Of from s. 10 s.
for each pole.