The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-04
~ on iho sub e, Of phones. was one OF
tho Standard crowd himself.

~ on iho subj e, Of phones. was one OF
the Standard crowd himself
TIE AMERICAN TELEPHONE.
Mr. Wyndham r. Meredith. represent
Ing the American Telephone and Tclc-
graph Company. said their company was
all over The North aud West They had
sl5.O0oe1 and l5o.V0D miles OF wire. over
their wires one could talk without any
trouble from Washington to chicago,
distance % 400 miles. lie himself had
done 80. and transacted in ten minutes
business which would require half a day
by telegraph II was a question whether
Richmond should be cut OF or whether
she should be in telephone connection
with Nashville. Atlanta, New YORK, chi
cago Washington. Philadelphia, and all
the principal northern. western, and south
crn cities. The American Telephone and
Telegraph Company was desirous OF TAX
ing Richmond ia their circuit and give IT
connection with the other cities AS
business men. will you keep out this COM
pany2 Are you going to cut yourselves
of from this communication with the
outside world? Have tho thing investi-
gated. Don't commit yourselves 10 TWO
companies which have shown themselves
I'D as the Home and Standard have done
tonight You can't afford 10 give the
franchise to either OF two companies
one Of which H. denounced as fraud ana
the other IS said not to have suitable
'phone Major Cinter and others have
said 10 me that they feel IL Is a personal
grievance that Richmond Is not I'm this
great Iong-distance telephone circuit"
Mr.. Meredith was followed by Captain
George Wayne Anderson. who spoke IN
favor OF the American Telephone and
Telegraph Company This system would
lave two circuits. which would take IN
towns of three thousand inhabitants.
They had the best patents, and we're
prepared 20 demonstrate IT, they wanted
TO come i'm and do local business Win
the long-Gisiance business
VIEWs or THE MEMBERS.
After Mr.. AndersOns' time was up, Mr..
Blake took the floor and stated that
ne thought the board was in no posi-
ton TO act at this time. There should
be an investigations and what MI. Mere
ditn had said had voiced his sentiments.
The Standard had been doing business
ten years, and had gotters franchises
from Maine TO Florida. Yet only one
exchange i'm all that time had been es-
tablished and that in a one-horse town.
lie believed I'm Investigating the condi-
ton of both companies. lie knew noih~
ing Of either company and neither did
the Offlff members VI til' R'fAAN- II ~
ReU Telephone Company would bring
their figures down to $50. he would be in
favor of them. The proper thing TO do
IS TO get on the train and go away 10
other cities and look into the matter.
He moved that the ordinance OF the
Standard Company be referred back 10
the Street Committee. with instructions
TO- Investigate the Standard Company,
and other telephone matters.
Mr.. Allen made a defence of the ac-
tion Of the Street Committee. and said
that an earnest effort had been made
by the Street Committee to give the
citizens of Richmond good ana ser
viceable phone. He reviewed the con-
diiion Of affairs under which the street
Committee acted and said that whether
or not the opinions of the city Engineer
and the Superintendent OF the Fire
Alarm Influenced the committee. there
was one thing that and, and that was the
fact that Mr. Catlin, president OF the
Mason Company had stated that II ne
could sell his interest i'm the company Tor
what he gave for IL. he would gladly
sell out. He knew the Street Commit
tee had done It's duty. and had worked
hard TO arrive at safe conclusion
The committee had gotten all the infor~
nation they would ever be able 10 get
The subject. lie lIourul al T-'fN'N
bond should be required. No company
which was unwilling to put up 81 $4,000
bond would be worth considering.
Mr.. Smith. on behalf Of the Home
Company. said his company would furnish
the $4,000 bond. and give 800 towards
paying the expense of the Investigation.
Mr.. Blake spoke again on the subject,
and said that he would agree TO MT.
Aliens motion.
THE STANDARD WINS.
Mr.. King moved that The action OF the
Common Council he concurred In. ana
that the franchise be given to the stan
dard Company.
Mr.. Blake then moved TO table the
matter. with "a view 10 offering reso~
luton 10 the effect that the telephone
question be investigated by "A special
committee. to be appointed
The motion 10 lay upon the table the
Standard Telephone ordinance was then
put before the body and resulted in
being defeated by vote of IA TO J,
Messrs. Blake. Hardwicke, and Mount
castle voting i'm the affirmative.
\ motion TO amend the ordinance TO
make the Standard put up a bond Of
s2o 900 instead of 5000 was lost, and the
vote TO give The Standard franchise
i'm accordance with the action taken by
the Common Council resulted in granting
the franchise by a vote Of 10 to 4,
Messrs Blake Hardwicke. Mitchell and
Mountcasile voting in the negative.
The vote 10 give the Home Company
also a similar franchise resulted in ayes
g. noes u. Messrs. Blake. fardwicke,
and Mountcastle voting In the aiiirma-
tive.
The board then adjourned, at 1855
O'Clock