The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-07-28

ital and tho Withholding ~ II from all
future local enterprises which might be.
IN any way. dependent upon the good faith
Of tho municipality.
But thcro Is another. and a moro direct
pccuulary interest which the people have
IN this application. We feel satisfied from
careful review OF tho situation that
there Is no real danger OF tho passage Of
tho ordinance reported 20 tho Council by
tho Street Committee. granting TO tho
Long Distance Company practically unrc-
strictcd rights and privileges In this city.
and IN a form vigorously opposed by tho
clty's Attorney. we do not belive that
the sensible business men in the Council
viii be guilty OF such an utter disregard
OF tho peoples rights. There IS. however.
somo danger OF compromise. We are
told that the Long Distance Company
Will not accept a MAXIMUM rate. How
ever that may he. It is very plain that
such a Limitation would be effective in
protecting the citizens rights only so long
as tho present company IS able 20 re-
main I'm the field. Every one knows that
the MINIMUM rate which has been in
serted profcsscdly with the purpose Of
preventing the undertaking Of the pres
cnt local company by tho Long Distance
Company, cannot be enforced, and is OK
no real value. There can be no law which
will compel corporation TO fully collect
It's bills. Tor instance. should the pro-
posed franchise DO granted, our local com,
pany will be Immediately subject TO I'M
derbiddlng at the hands Of this powerful
corporation with its millions OF capital
and reserve fund. The result Of such an
UNEQUAL contest could not long be in
doubt. The local enterprise would inevita-
bly, be forced from tho held-frozcn out
by the enormous power Of its opponent.
Now let us see where the people would
be in such a case The Bell Company
and its close ally, the Long Distance
Company, have both contended that they
cannot do business at the rates which
tho Richmond Telephone Company
charges. Being forced to accept that rate
as a maximum, il would be regarded only
so long as the local company remains in
the field. This local company once re-
moved from competition, it is self-eyident
that tho Long Distance Company would
speedily come TO the Council asking the
right 10 charge more and thus save itself
from continual loss. If the Council should
refuse this application and say to it you
agreed TO accept this rate, and you must
abide by your action" the American
Company would reply by notification to
its subscribers that it must so out Of bus
mess The consequence Of such a notice
cannot be doubted. Telephone service has
become an absolute necessity, and the
people, however indignant they might be,
would be forced to demand at the hands
Of the Council, permission for the Amer
lean Company to charge whatever 1t
chose rather than deprive the city Of its
service. 1t would be too late TO call for
opposition; no aggregation of capital
could be found TO supply the funds for the
construction of another opposition plant;
the city and the people would be at the
mercy OF TINS ONer-DearlnB cOrporaIlOn'
1t would be entrenched upon its streets,
and doubly fortified against all opposition
or control; it would laugh in its sleeve
at the indignant. but Intellectual. protests
of the public. The Council is under every
obligation to resist all overtures to a COM
promise and should positively refuse per-
mission to the Long Distance Company to
do a local business in this city. we are
struggling now in the grasp Of the United
States Court which has forbidden us to
rid our streets Of a company which has
dehed our authority. Let us not fix a
second moose more closely about our
necks. or be "as If a man did flee from
q lion and o bear met him; or went into
the house and leaned his hand on the
wall and a serpent bit him"