The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-04-14
oRFoLK vIRGIN1AN WEDNESDAY APRIL H. 1897

-.
20 the same effect were also read.
JUDGE WILLCO& LEADS OFF.
Hon Thomas II. WiitcoN opened FOR
the American Telegraph anu Telephone
company.
The impression had gone out" said
lhc speaker. that there was some hid
den menace in the franchise" The cues
,on had narrowed itself down hr
thought. To the questions OF Interchange
or business ana Il maximum rate. 'rh,,
minimum rate. he cpNtended, protected
te!ephnnc users against q rate war which
might drive the weaker concern to the
wall.
THE SOUTHERN'S SIDE.
Mr.. l.. d. Staritc. ,Ir., followed for the
Southern States Telephone company.
Inc only thing, he hciG. standing be-
tween the entrance Of this great mono
poly and the Interests Of the Droulc Of
Norfolk. is now the Select Council
Mr.. Wilcox asks how ne continued,
tho maximum rate Will protect the city
from a monopoly. | shall answer il
The long distance company by n coali-
ton with the Bell people may drive us
out Then the rates viii go up in the
absence of a maximum rate. But if they
are restricted by such a. provision they
cannot afford to attempt 10 crush out
competition.
1T is not your business TO look out
for the interests OF that company You
are here 10 protect the interests Of the
people Of Norfolk We would never have
expended nearly 100000 here had we not
thought the city would live up to its
agreement With us--that no other COM
rany should be allowed here except
upon the terms granted TO us.
GENERAL NIIIlANEY 1LABORATE>s.
General T.. =. Mcancy then followed
for the American Telephone and Tcle-
graph company. His company had un-
dcrtallcn, he said, vast work-that OF
placing into communication by word
Of mouth fifty millions Of people.
In no community 10 which we have
applied for a charter have we been re-
fused. The statement that we are part
ana narcel OF tha Southern Sell Iele-
lh0ne company is absolutely without
foundation.
Where are the wrecks that have
strcwn our pathway? Where have we
ever crushed out competition? Effort S
lave been made by chambers OF COM
mrrccs. etc, to obtain this Information.
Where have they presented them to YOU?
They ask why we DO not accept q
maximum rate. Is there a business man
here who will name 4 pricc on All article
before he knows What he can produce il
FOR. We do not know what it will cost
to operate a local telephone service here.
we hope We won't have to do il at all.
Your LeGislatu turc has The right TO
regulate our rates. 1t has been done
here ana elsewhere. We cannot afford
to set n precedent in rates hero.
AS understand the Southern States
cOmpanys ordinance YOU did not impose
upon them the conditions Of their fran
chisc. They proposed Them and you
accepted the proposition We make you
no such proposition. but ask You TO con-
slider the advantages we offer
JUDGE BROOKE,'S PRUGENT WIT.
Judge D. Tucker Brooke closed for the
Southern States Telephone company.
lie said in part:
IN answer to The iihe Of MIR. Wilcox,
that We are not here in the interest of
ourselves. but Of the city, l take pride
in the fact that the interests OF the
Southern Telephone company and those
of the telephone users OF Norfolk are
identical. This fact inspires us with
hope and confidence. You are the Coun-
Gil and believe that you will obey the
will of the people. ! think YOU recognize
your duty and will do it.
"Onc Of the most remarkable things
in my experience, gentlemen. Is the
prominence and numerical strength Of
the citizens who have sent to you their
earnest request that you refuse this
company II local telephone franchise un-
less you prOtect their, interests. None
OF those people have said they did not
mean what they said. as some OF the
Signcrs Of the petitions Of our friends
have taken it upon themselves to do.
II am not here to apologize FOR the
Southern states Telephone companys
action in soliciting signatures to these
petitions Thcy were moi obtained By
going about. boring people who signed
10 get rid OF them. They were mailed
10 them. and they returned them 10 the
clerk Of tho Council themselves"
The speaker Contendcd that the Am
cvcan Bell Telephone company the
Southern Bell Telephone company and
the American Telephone ana Telegraph
company are Identical or closely related.
and if allowed to operate unt rammelcd.
Il monopoly would result inevitably.
lie contcnded that a maximum rate was
the only protection.
.'Hut" he c0ntcnacd. Gen. Meaney
says that the Legislature can fix rates.
Gentlemen. why should you turn your
citizens out of their own Lcgisla luie
Is the power Of revocation sufficient
protection Don't trust to chance gen
tlcmcn Make sure or every point
The provision not 10 sell 10 the Bell
protects. says Judge Wilcox Arc we
afraid the Fell Will gohhlc them or that
they VIII gUhh!c up the licll. but be fear
that they vii! cooperate 10 the extent Of
crushing ont competition. and then
you'll have q maximum; OH. yes, you'll
have Il. 1t Viii he the maximum be-
yond which YOU can't go. because the
patient. long suffering people won't
stand il
The speaker closed by pointing out the