Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-29
THE TELEPHONE MATTER.
Young Business-Men In Earnest-No
Boycott.

The crusade against the Southern
Belle Telephone Company, inaugurated
at the meeting Of the Young Mems Bust
ness Association on Friday night. has
begun in earnest. The officers of the
association said yesterday that the ac-
ton of the organization was not in
spired by any special hostility to the
Bell Company. but by what they be-
lieved to be the best interests OF the
city and for the greatest benefit and
convenience OF the public. They do not
care to be understood as inaugurating
anything in the nature of a boycott"
and will attempt nothing like coercion.
This will be readily understood from tho
tenor Of the resolutions which wero
framed by the Board Of Directors Of the
association. and amended at Fridays
meeting TO read as follows:
THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
Whereas, it IS imperatiyely necessary
for the convenience and economy Of the
citizens Of Richmond that their patronage
be confined TO one telephone company;
and
Whereas, there is only one company
I'm the field operating with a franchise
llOll the cry VI iAlAullolAu dhU NOl4lltet-
Ing with the various city and State Of
fees; and
Whereas, we are reliably Informed that
the number of subscribers of that COM
pany is largely in excess Of the sub
scribers of any other company; and
Whereas It is local company employ
ing local capital and labor, and is, there
fore, entitled to the patronage Of tho
people; and
Whereas, The charges Of the Richmond
Telephone Company are limited By fran.
chlse given By the city Of Richmond and
are subject 10 the supervision OF the
Street Committee, and the company is
subject TO fine for imperfect service.
now. therefore. be IL
Resolved, That this association earn
estly recommend that the citizens OF
Richmond conflne themselves to the GER
vice OF the only company operating
under a franchise granted by the city OF
Richmond.
And this association hereby pledges IT.
self TO use every lawful means to render
this resolution effective.
CONTEMPLATED FOR WEEKS.
A prominent member OF the organiza-
ton said to a Dispatch man last night,
for weeks, and the plan OF campaign has
been fully outlined. 1t Is generally be-
lleyed that the Supreme Court cannot
fail TO uphold the Injunction OF Judge
Goff. in tho light Of recent Developments,
touching the ruling on this mode OF
procedure, and feeling that it was trench
ing on the rights Of local self govern
ment, the association determined 10
throw their influence into the balance
against the Bell Company which, II IS
claimed. IS now trespassing upon The
city's streets.
IL has not yet been decided whether
mass-meeting shall be called for the
purpose Of taking action, or whether the
committee shall 80 to work and obtain
signatures Of firms and men now using
telephones, pledglng them to patronize
only such company or companies as are
duly licensed 10 do business In this city
by our Council
Mr.. Robert Lecky, Jr., who was ap-
pointed chairman Of the committee OF
ten, charged with the framing and
carrying out OF a plan, has asked 10 be
allowed to serve in the ranks. and his
successor has been appointed, though
his name Will not be made known
until Monday. The associate members
Of the committee have also been chosen.
and are among the most prominent men
from all lines of business represented in
the association. The officers OF tho Or
ganization are determined 10 use all
their energies TO carry out the spirit Of
the resolution, and some interesting de-
velopmopts may be looked for within the
next few days.