The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-10
MR.. ROBINSON TALKS.
WHAT THE PRLsiDBNT OF THE
RICHMOND TELEPHONE COMPANY
Has 20 Say Concerning the Beii's Injuno-
tion-He VIII Not Cut katss-Re-
curing Assurances OF support.

No move OF importance can be mace
in regard to the Injunction recently 3D.
tanned by the Bell Telephone Company
against the city until tho case comes
I'D before Judge Goff. in the United
States Circuit Court on November l'th'
A reporter called on President Robin
son. OF the Richmond Telephone Com
pany yesterday. ana asked his opinion
concerning the injunction. Mr.. Robinson
replied:
1T would hardly be proper for me 10
discuss the legal questions involved or
the proprie;y Of Juage Golf 5 acuon.
am rather disposed 10 think tha' INC
city Is big enough 10 take care oil us
own night. and from the temper see
displayed by the citizens generally
am satisfied It Will do so. As to the
ultimate result OF this litigation, We
we're fully satisfied before We entered
into this enterprise that the city had
the right TO the jurisdiction over It's
own streets ana that there Will be no
difficulty in ultimately forcing the Bel
Company out OF the city.
WAS not the action OF the Bell CON-
pany a surprise TO your
by no means" replied Mr.. Robinson.
Our counsel had advised as some STA
months ago that this would bc the line
of action taken by the Bell Company.
and as a matter OF fact We were Inform
cd a month ago that the bill ioi the
Injunction was already prepared ana
waiting in the Office Of one OF the Bell
Ccmpany's counsel
RICHMOND COMPANY ENDORSED.
What effect will this injunction have
upon the success OF your company
III you could have been IN our Offices
for the last twcnty-four hours you would
have had no doubt on the subject We
are constantly in receipt Of telephone
messages and various other communica-
uOns from the citizens informing us
If their indignation at .hs highland
cd proceeding and Of their firm deteg-
lniration 20 stick TO Us more earnestly
than ever. I believe the people resent
his EFFORT OF the old company 10 force
.tself upon tho city and The community,
and l could give YOU long list OF people
who have since this action was taken,
iiyon orders to have their old phones
removed at once"
What DO you think. Mr. Robinson. OF
the reduction in price by the Bell Com
pany?'
Il am really grateful 70 Mr.. McCluer
Ger his statements before the Chamber
OF Commerce last night. Let's sec what
his position is
''First. he reiterated the contention
which the Bell Company has urged for
many years past. that their old prices
were as low as business prudence justi-
lied them TO be. Next he announced
n... 81 q
our prices (Which were about one-half
of the old Bell prices and boldly pro-
claimed that IL necessary they would
reduce them still further.
Mr.. McCluer was reminded OF the
necessary conclusion 10 be drawn from
those two statements. that is. that it
was The purpose of the Bel Company
10 force the new company out Of exis-
tence. and that as the new company's
prices were. according 20 him, below q
living figure. the Ben Company having
Iegained its mastery OF the field. would.
OF course, put their prices back il not
raise them beyond what they had been
ali these years.
Mr.. McCluer was confronted with
this dilemma and failed utterly TO an
swer it,"
WILL NOT LOSE PATRONS.
VIII your company lose patrons By
this proposed reduction I'm price?"
AS against innumerable orders and
assurances OF support, which we have
received within the last twenty-four
hours, there Is only one individual In
this whole city who has given evidence
OF having been caught by the Bells bait
l don't think it would be kind TO him to
mention his name.
I'VE are very much gratihed." contin.
ued Mr.. Robertson. lat the evidence Of
confidence and support which the people
are giving US. They seem indignant at
these latter-day efforts TO prevent IT'S
from furnishing a better service at re-
duced rates. which the people have teen
so long demanding"
viii your company meet this cat IN
prices?"
'Unquestionably not" replied Mr. Rob
ertson. when we entered the field We
put the prices Of our own accord without
suggestion from the City Council or any
one else at the lowest figure which
promised a reasonable and living profit
on our investment. The Council accepted
those prices and put in our franchise q
proviso that these prices should never
be exceeded. Should we reduce them,
IL would he TO court ana merit failure 10
our enterprise. and we do not think IL
necessary 10 take such suicidal step
10 meet the Bells patent subterfuge q
temporary reduction, nor do our patrons
require IL OF us"
"Will your attorneys assist the city
In its fight with the Bell company when
this Injunction comes up for hearing?"
Certainly. II the city desires It. the
Hervices of our attorneys will be cheer
fully given. | am sure. however that
the city will be well represented and
will not need any assistance from us"
a city official said yesterday. III the
order OF Judge Goff prevails the City
might as well surrender it's charter
Colonel McCluer. Of the Bell Telephone
Company, when seen by reporter yes
terday said that there was absolutely
nothing new. and that the Bell reicrrone
Company had nothing &C say beyond
what was brought out az last nights
meeting OF the Chamber OF 'c)m lerce.