Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-14

ADVICE OVER THE PHONE.

The Dispatch is a friend Of the long
distance telephone system We wish TO
see Richmond as well equipped for busi-
ness as any other city in this land. IN
numerous other cities and towns rner-
chants. manufacturers. or professional
men may sit in their offices ana tax
with persons In New York, Boston, chi
cago Washington. or any other OF the
1850 cities, towns. and villages ON the
list. And to such a degree of excellence
has this system been brought, that for
most purposes one may transact his busi-
ness with man a thousand miles away
with as much certainty and satisfaction
as If he were talking with him face to
face. on many occasions the lons-dis-
lance phone saves costly telegraph
tolls but it is still more useful in saving
railroad fares o., r.-,
There is not day that passes that
some Richmonder does not seize his grip
sack and jump aboard train to so to
see some person with whom he has
business whereas. If we had good long
distance phone facilities he might trans
act that very business over the wires,
and without any expenditure for railroad
tickets. hotel-bills. etc.
The Dispatch not only wishes this
community TO have the benefit of long
distance phone system. but of the very
best long-distance system that there is
i'm this cOuntry-or, for the matter of
that. il the world. That system is that
of the American Telephone and Tele-
graph Company. It's lines reach 1000
cities. towns and villages. 1t has the
best OF wires conduits. and exchanges.
1t has ample capital and the most eX-
pert electricians And its franchises
cover nearly all OF that territory with
which Richmond businessmen have deal
ings.
All over the North and all over the
West its wires and exchanges are to
be found while southwardly il has pene-
trated as far as Nashville. NowG it
wishes to come down the southern coast.
1t has offices at Washington and Alex
andria, and has just obtained the right
from the Common Council to enter Nor
folk and do business there, Soon its
network of wires viii be spread all
over the South Atlantic States. The COM
pany is before our City Council ask
ing for a charter TO enter Richmond,
and the Committee on Streets has just
resolved. by a vote of to 4. that a fran
chse should be granted 1t.
Here. as everywhere else. the Ameri-
can Telephone and Telegraph Company
asks for a franchise 10 do a local bust
ness. And just there 1t has had to make
It's fight.
The Dispatch is not only willing and
anxious to see a franchise given 1t for
long distance service, but for city SER
vice Good reasons have been advanced
why the latter privilege should be con-
ferred 1t would be absurd TO suppose
that investors would make the expendi-
lures here that would be needed for
long distance service only TO become
the victims OF any demands that the
local exchanges might exact 1t would
be too much to expect that the Ameri-
can Company would expend hundreds of
thousands 10 reach Richmond and es-
tabllsh an exchange here, only to be told
pl tut lOtdi tANhth5'o the't IL iA""N VI
vide profits thus an4 so with the local
exchanges. So we think II not unreason-
able that the American Company should
have the right 10 do II local business
here. should II deem 1t desirable 10 do so.
Thus far, we are pretty nearly in ac-
cord with the aims OF the American
company; but now We reach point
where we disagree. We cannot think
IL would be prudent or business-like for
o1r city TO grant the company local
rights without fixing a maximum charge
for service We do not ask that this
maximum charge should be such a charge
as would be made whist rate war
was being waged. but that II should be
such a charge as would enable the COM
pany TO earn a fair income upon it's in
vestment should conditions arise for II
TO do q local business.
We shall consider Il 10 be our duty
10 urge the City Council 20 reverse sc
much of the action OF the Committee on
Streets as purposes 10 grant charter
In which no stipulation IL made as &c
local rates. SO far ms. local business, Il
concerned. we would have the American
.compsny agree to a. maximum charge toi
each yearly rental; such charge 10 give