Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-16

SCENTS the Local Company's Claims.
The second scene IN the great telephone
f.ht was enacted in Committeo-Room No.
II The City Hall last night when
counsel Tor the American Telephone and
telegraph Company and for the Rich
uoad Telephone Company appeared be-
fore the Street Committee and submitted
arguments.
senator Daniel and Colonel George
wayne Anderson appeared for the Ameri-
can telegraph Company. and were op-
posed by Mr.. A. y. Guigon. OF counsel for
the Richmond Telephone Company.
Thc arguments were very ably con-
dactod. and the speech Of Senator Daniel
was really brilliant oratorical effort
There were several spirited Tits between
counsel. but the line Of argument varied
in no essential point from that submitted
az the last appearance Of counsel before
the committee.
SOME ROUTINE WORK.
Upon the committees proceeding TO
business AIR. King moved a suspension
of the rules In order that Mr. Gayle. who
had offered q bid for street-improvemen
work. which had been accepted, might
De heard. as he wished TO withdraw his
bid. Mr. Gayle stated that he wished 70
withdraw his bid because he did not fully
understand the requirements at the time
Do made his specification, and had made a
serious mistake.
In 10
released. and the next lowest bid ac-
ceDted. which was done.
The allegations were than taken up
The c0nstTu ton Of a sewer in the alley
between Grace and Franklin and Madison
and Jefferson streets was opposed by six
of the nine property-holders in the vi
entity There were three absentees.
Mr II. A. McCurdy. representing the
petitioners, upon being informed that the
proposed culyert would have to be paid
FOR by the property owners, asked per-
mission TO withdraw the petition, which
was granted.
Allegations were then taken for a cul-
vert on Broad street. west of Second.
and the matter was referred to the Ward
Committee.
The construction Of q sewer on Pickett
street from Pleasant 10 Burton was
recommended TO the Council.
WANTED a FULL HEARING.
Under the suspension of the rules. it
was moved that the petition of the Amer
Jean Telegraph and Telephone Company
should next be taken up. 1t was stated
by Colonel George Wayne Anderson that
the company wished TO go fully into the
matter. and IL was decided by the com
mitteo that no time limit should be i'm
of f.a
Representatives Of the long-distance
company were asked by the chairman
il they had any mode Of procedure they
would like 10 follow, to which Colonel
Anderson replied that he proposed that
the American Telephone Company should
open the case and close II, and that the
opposition, II any existed, should reply
10 the opening argument.
Mr.. Guigon, representing the home
company, said that he alone represent
ed the company most vitality interested,
and, as he was opposed by a great array
OF eminent counsel. he contended that
the conclusion belonged to his side. This
concession was made, at the suggestion
OF Senator Daniel
SPEECH OF COLONEL ANDERSON.
Mr. Anderson then addressed the COM
mittee on behalf of the long-distance
tho company he represented and the
COPY of an ordinance authorizing this
company TO use the public roads. streets,
and highways Of the city of Richmond.
1T was useless for him, he said, to
supplement the remarks made by Sena-
tor Daniel when the case was last pre-
scented to the committee. He spoke of
the advantage that would accrue TO the
j0bbing trade of the city by the use OF
the long-distance phones, and presented
the plan Of a proposed alteration 10 be
made in the 'phC.es of the company to
which some exception had been taken.
Not only was the company not connect
el In any way with the Bell company,
but g. clause in their contract precluded
an possibility of the company's leasing
or selling any part in the franchise they
now asked for.
FOR THE LOCAL COMPANY.
Mr. Guigon, representing the home
company, said the existence Of the home |
company depended wholly upon the good |
Faith of the city. The long-distance |
company came offering ten free phones |
10 the city Of Richmond and VIII charge /
so "a year for the others needed. The |
home telephone company gives to the |
city far more than this. Referring to the /
denial OF Colonel Anderson that the long /
distance company was part and parcel or |
the Bell. Mr.. GuigOn said Il was at least 1
bound TO the Bell company by leases. III /
these companies are allied. though not /
Identical be contended, would the amend /
mclt offered by the long-distance com
pany protect the home company? II /
states that they will not lease or sell /
.helr franchises 10 the Southern Bell Com
nuy, but they do not say that they Will /
lot purchase the plant Of the Bell.
Mr GuigOn here referred TO a circular /
issued by Mr.. IL. NJ. Smith derogatory to |
.he Richmond Telephone Company MI
smith rose TO "a point of personal privilege, |
and said he alone was responsible for the /
sentiments contained in this circular Mr.. |
lu.son stated that MIR. Smith had signed |
.he circular as counsel for the American /
Telephone and Telegraph Company.
PURELY A HOME ENTERPRISE.
Tie money for the plant of the home
company had been subscribed every dollar
Of Sc IN Richmond, said Mr.. Guigon. 1--WE /
have given the best equipment possible,
DO continued. 1--WE have given the city
everything we promised them. ] ask this
committee, and / ask the people Of Rich
mold. have we kept faith with the city?'
he IO.ntedly asked Senator Daniel 10
state whether his company would make
terminal connections with any company
thai Isl not connected with the Bell and
whether the contracts Of the American
company allow it to make connections
with amy company. He charged that the
stockholders of the Bell and American
companies were almost Identical, and
called attention to the fact that the Bell
company are not opposing this long-dis-
lance company. although they know they
are here 10 conduct a rival business. and
mat they have ample money behind them
70 make a strong fight
WILL HAVE CONNECTIONS.