The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-28

guard the city interest. and limiting
the maximum charge TO So per month for
business places and 81 per month for
residences. But at tho same time IL
opened tie hclG for competition 10 all
telephone companies.
Thus ;he good work Of this Chamber
sought IN having rates reduced. was ac-
coinpl'shcd. Certainly this Chamber did
then render the business men and citi-
zcns az large. valuable service In saving
thousands OF dollars per year 20 telc-
phone subscribers
This H. as brief a review as | can e.Nc
you. Mr.. President. OF the part taken by
the Chamber. You Will see II would
not fave been accomplished for many
years. in all probability, nat FOR the
vigilance and untifing wrok OF this
Chamber
. should ala that then the Cham
hers work stopped. and IT has not now
seen proper 10 say a word more.
VIC will now discuss the reasons why
| offered my resolution OF the Sth instant.
THE CITY ENJOINED.
when l saw from the city papers that
the city had been cnioined from cxer-
cising its sovereign rights 20 grant
franchise 20 telephone company. and
10 compel the old company to withdraw.
tered the field OF competition Tor a fran
chisc. 1 at once determined TO bring the
matter 10 the attention Of this Cham
ber and urge upon It the importance
OF recommending that all citizens be
asked 10 patrCniZc the new company,
and thus sustain the new company, as
IN tins way only could it be permanently
sustained and operated. and also again
endorse the good work this Chamber nd
IN securing lower rates Of service.
Shall this Chamber hesitate to recon-
mend to the citizens of Richmond what
common sense and simple justice require
at its hands? Must we allow any such
false sentiment TO deter US as that it
is not the province of this Chamber
10 take sides in "a contest between two
rival corporations. where one is work
ing under the franchise Of the city, and
the other in violation Of it. l say, un-
doubtedly. II should not, as in a case
like this where one corporation has been
established by an ordinance and fran
chisc of the city of kichmonds sovereign
authority, as against the one defying the
city. as in this case. the one enjoying
franchise conditioned upon an ordi-
nance OF the city. SO carefully drawn as
TO protect the citys interest, and the
other operating without any conditions
OF a city ordinance. and in defiance Of
its authority no matter If it H. by gov
eminent injunction. Great heavens what
does this Chamber represent. If it don't
represent the citizens in their rights
Of local government. as applied TO AN
business interests. and this certainly is
q great one. which our Council wisely
and bravely undertook TO protect2 And
shall we not now aud our influence "a
trying 10 uphold its wise legislation by
doing what seems the only thing prac-
ucablc. during the government 'niuuc-
ton. viz. urging our citizens 20 patron
i've and sustain the new company, and
not let the lowering of rates by the
old COMPANY cntice them into pttail
No man Of common sense can for "a
moment even susDect these low rates 10
continue after. should 1t so happen. the
new company is driven out. 10 Will
be the same old story of the spider and
the fly. Everybody must. upon mo-
mont's reflection, admit that a telephone
company in a city must be a monopoly
in order 10 save its citizens from the
expense OF two phones, and the city
from tne lr,Duyeutnlc aAD unsighth-
ness of cobwebbing tnc streets with
pCics ara wires, etc. The Council and
Ci., Engineer so recognized it, and fog
this reason only granted one franchise.
Shall we endorse such wisdom or, by
refusing TO do so, even taciuy cOnuemu
the Councils wise legislation. / say
No. 1 believe this Chamber will say
No. too.
Some may say. "a corporation has no
SOUL and will sell out to amy other
company when it is TO their interest TO
do so. But. Mr. President. don't forget
the all-impOrtant nail that the work OF
this Chamber drove in and the Council
clinched. by the solid fact that whoever
runs II has 30 TO DO 10 al $500 per month.
and also TO 90 it under the restriction
and conditions oil tuc new ordinance
Again. If this new company fails TO
I've up TO the requirements of the ncr
ordinance. ;hen its entire plant. wires
poles etc.. reverts TO the city. If / under
stand the ordinance. Are the citizens
of Richmond likely TO suffer under such
ID default, IL made What would pre-
vent the city from granting "a franchise
10 another company after they had taken
possession OF this one? Nothing. ex-
ccpt. 4 suppose, injunction by govern
ment. What would be the moral effect
II this Chamber. after calling on the
Council for protection against oxorbitant
rates, ami having them by wise Iogisla-
tion provide this protection, then fail to
sustain the company who. relying on
tnls SUPPORT, ana tnc franchise granted
boy the city. then failed to get this sup
port? Could you espCct in the future
the efforts of th.s Chamber to be
strengthened or weakened in similar
efforts?
\ BAD PRECEDENT.
Talk about establishing q bad prece-
dent. can hardly imagine one worse
than the tabling of the minority rcsom-
ton and the adoption of the majority
one would be.
It has ne,n said that the effect of the
minority resolution amounts 10 am bov-
cot. 1 insist according TO my judgment
u Is not Does il by any law or rules OF
this Chamber compel its members 10 do
anything? No. is resolution TO urge
ulon cur business community 10 sus-
lain ire city who I'm their wisdom granted
monopoly. because it is undcubtedlv
one boycott? Undoubtedly not IL is
begging the question TO compare such
case as this monopoly 10 thar Of two
corporations or firms standing upon an
equal footing and both soliciting bust
ness from the community If this is a
boycott tlcn assuredly il was one for
this Chamber ever to have demanded
lower rates through the power of the
Council well knowing the undoubted fact
that they would have TO grant monopoly
10 protect its interest. and the interest
Of the subscribers.
Can any one deay that this protection
Is mutual. and II so. is II IN any sense
q boycott for this Chamber TO holi up
the hands Of the Council which can only