The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-02-13
LONG DISTANCE PHONE.
Concluded from second page.>

ts' -
aei a1,i, company, with its great
Wealth, i permitted to COMO here and
crush competition. IF am cor.
iectlE informed the company seeking en-
trance here, The Southern Bel, and all
the Bell companies, arc practically one
corpora ton,
Mr. Starke then reviewed tho tcle-
phone situation before and since the en-
trance of the Southern States Telephone
company, showing how competition had
affected rates.
we are compelled" he continued,
under our franchise to Interchange
business with any other line. All NO
ask is that this company connect uD
win us, in justice to our patrons and
III tultillment Of our franchise.
should the American connect with
the EEL company and not with us. 1t
, eoo pe discriminattng against our
LOO subscribers. All we ask is that no
advantage be given over us We only
want justice"
I'm other words YOU want our facili-
ties said Air. Thorn.
we only want you to interchange
Win us on exactly the Same terms you
would with the Bell" replied Mr. StarlSc.
MAXIMUM RATES
Now as to the maximum rates. You
may rest assured that The sole object
OF the American and Bell companies Is;
to crush us out. Should they do this?
ask if in the absence OF n maximum
rate they would keep their rates MS low
as they were forced by the competition.
Until we are crushed out Of existence
by them the city will probably have no
cause to regret granting The American
its franchise"
Mr.. Starkc read here the protest Of
the Richmond bankers against tho
granting of the Americans franchise on
these same grounds.
we are not here to antasonixc The
new concern. We only ask Justice;
that you will connect with us on the
same terms you would With the Bell
SPICY INCIDENTS.
Mr. J. Il. Keelyn, president OF the
Western Telephone Construction Com
pany, and also Of the National -Asso-
citation OF Telephone Manufacturers,
then took the floor. He said
Il represent anti-Bell interests, and
therefore | have noticed the prominent
part taken by General NIcany in obtain
ing franchises in several cities for the
American Telephone and Telegraph
Company, whose sole object in extend
ing Southwark is to crush out the
Southern States company.
Wherever the Bells profits are
threatened With competition, the Ameri-
can comes In and connects up with
their local exchange, and if necessary
It's long distance service is given free
TO those subscribers who have stood by
the local concern. 1t has not been
York for the American to secure q fran
chisc."
Il desire to state that the Southern
states company can secure as good an
instrument for use on long distance cir
cults rs can possibly be obtained by
the American.
II assert that in the city of Lynch
burg service is being furnished free, and
ask if this does not tend towards; an
initiation"
Mr.. keelyn then referred to the pro-
ject of long distance system in com
petition with the American, which
brought forth some remarks from Mr.
Thorn, who wanted to know how tho
southern States company would be in
jurcd by the Americans refusal TO
connect with it when it had IL long dis
lance company coming TO its assistance
MI Starke broke III with the remark
That his company stood ready to inter-
chanEc with all corners under it's fran
chise.
MT. Kelvin. superintendent OF the
Southern States company. and Mr.. J.
-. Hobbs, manager Of tho exchange
here took the stand To testify to the
possibility Of connecting their instru-
mcntS and lines with the American
company's.
INTERESTS OF CITIZENS.
Judge d. Tucker Brooke made the
next argument for the Southern States
company. He said:
i desire TO approach this question in
different light from that in which it
has been discussed. The question be-
fore You is not whether the American
company is able to utilize It's capital to
advantage; YOU are to consider the in
terests OF the people Of the city OF Nor
folk. We do not say they should not
DE allowed to come here. We don't
stand in the way Of progress. That
company says. we want you 10 grant us
rights as Il local exchange They are
asking 10 come III here and to establish
u local exchange"
Our maximum rate. said the Judge,
has saved the citizens of Norfolk $780,
oo0 already. The american company
VIII not submit to Il maximum figure
nut say, "Oh, we Will not cut; we'll bidc
our time and the Inference is that
after they may by some means drive
the Southern States out. they will shove
the rates UP and make up previous
losses. This is not adequate protection
but maximum rate would be absolute
protection
DOES THE CLAUSE: PROTECT?
Mr.. Thorn asked if the clause giving
the Council the right to revoke the
FRANCHISE. should the rates become eX-
ccSslVe, was not ample protection
Judge Brooke declined to answer this
question until he reached it in his argu-
ment lie continued: There is no me-