The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-04-11
THE TELEPHONE QUESTION
Concluded from Ninth pagc.)

Concluded from Ninth Pagc.)
gle one as understand Then why not
let them do the same thing hc;c--I
mean practically anu physically the
same thing? Let them connect with
some company: That Is why the city
or Norfolk said through its representa-
tives we should have to do rs TO any
other company: that came here. and said
any other company that came here
should have to do as to us
Now General Aieaney says the con-
trolling reason forHot doing it is n h,,s;-
ness reason; hut after good deaf of
explanation about 1t, he finally says
that II everything is all right on his
line. any telephone ought to talk over
his line. HENCE II everything on his line
is all right he ought to De
capable Of connecting UP with
any telephone Well, now, he
spoke; OF or give you an instance Of
practical Illustration Of Il difficulty
that occurred in making an experiment
ahou: II, and have been informed. since
he said that. that the telephone that
went back on the eXpcrimentcls was
one OF their own phones. But he says,
as understood it, don't mean to
nisrepresent him. and he is abundantly
able to take care OF hlmseif-lc says if
everything Is all right on his line any
telephone ought to talk over 1t. so it
leaves the qestion so far as The me-
chanical and electrical and scientific
questions are concerned. q perfect v
= feasible thing.
Now Of course yield with the utmost
humility and modesty to his statement
OF the practical business difficulties
about 1t, but I understood one of the
practical and business difficulties about
1t was the finding or the party to be
talked to- Here is q man In New York
wants TO talk to a man In Norfolk. They
must have their local franchise here.
When man In New York wants to talk
with man In Norfolk the operator in
Norfolk must find out how he can con
meet and let the man IN New York know
that he can connect with him. and let
him speak to him over certain phone,
and he says that involves so much diff
Guilty that they must have their own
franchise. And yet, In all the places
where they have their franchises, they
are not using one of them
Now, gentlemen. think have about
SAID all desire to say, about all that
have got the heart to infiict upon Il
patient and long suffering Council, but
1t does seem to me. gentlemen. that this
Is matter that ought TO be thought or
go further; 1t seems to me this Ii
matter the Councils ought to refuse,
this Is an application which they ought,
to refuse. If the long distance people
want to come here. If there is to be talk
that Norfolk will be left out In the cold
that Norfolk ought to be In connection
and communication with all these var
ious cities In the United States we do
say, let them come. gentlemen, let them
come; but do not give them for the com
ing bonus which letters our control
owe" them, which leaves 4 possibility
even II you think II probability, or
their entrance In to the city Of Norfolk
fipening into q monopoly that will crush
an competitors and enable them to fat
ten Off of the life blood Of our city
Do we want It so bad that we barter
everything for It? Why has he said that
We referring to the Southern States
telephone company, can build 4 long
distance line. I want to say here he
IS under u pprehension. I am in
formed by Mr.. Starkc, who Is present
1t had escaped my memory-that at the
meeting 10 which General Meaney re-
iers OF the committee. when that ques-
non was brought up 1t was distinctly
stated that the Southern States COM
pany was-not In the long distance busi-
ness. The Western Construction COM
panE, represented by Mr.. Keelyn be-
EeFe, was, understood to be getting in
shape TO go into the long distance tel
ephone business. and probably in some
section Of the country, had already en-
tered into that business.
Mr. Starke: will say that we declined
10 go to Richmond 10 a convention to
be held for that puSpose.
M, nj. Brooke; But isn't that remark
$3.50 !" "a nave We SOt
10 give. up and barter everything to
get these people here. when we will
nave other long distance people knock
ing at our doors before long? Have
we got to give up soul and body and
conscience to get these people, elegant
gentlemen as they are? why, If we Ina d
u 10 DO, under ordinary circumstances,
taking his own word for 1t. it won't be
necessary long. because there are other
Rlchmonds In the field. Then why
should we barter everything to have
them come?
Gentlemen, am thankful now at
least. II was not happy in the begin
ming. at being allowed to address You
! am thankful now that my task Is
gone. and am under the deepest Oh
Agatlon, am under sense OF the deep
eat gratitude, to find that this Council
mas given such patient and such n
careful attention to the feeble presenta-
lion which have been able to make in
IN interests which I represent here
gentlemen, my heart is In this mat
ter l believe that we are right. and T
believe that we will have right done us.
My friend. Mr.. Starke, asks me 10
read The Million Dollar Bluff.' r
don't want to bring up any question
about bluff. l don't know anything
about the game. That million dollar
bllff refers n 90