Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-14
THE LoxG-D1sTANCE QUESTION.
Further Action May BE Taken To-
Morrow--Wor of Retrenchment.


Morrow--Work of Retrenchment.
It is not unlikely that the Committee
on Streets will. at its meeting tomorrow
afternoon, take some definite action with
reference 10 recommending TO the City
Council the adoption or rejection of the
petition Of the American Telephone and
Telegraph Company of Virginia. 1t has
already been decided by this commit
toe that 1t favors some such proposition
as has been offered by this company; but
whether or not II viii recommend the
adoption of the ordinance presented by
Senator Daniel. as counsel for the long
distance company, is not yet known.
The local Bell company declares that
II is feasible to transfer messages be-
tween its phones and those OF the Amer
lean Telephone and Telegraph Com
many. and that IL is willing TO make ar
rangements whereby such messages can
be disseminated through the city at low
rates BY the terms OF the frahchlse
of the Richmond Telephone Company II
Is required 20 make connections with any
1one-distance company which wishes to
run its lines to this city; and II terms
cannot be agreed upon between the two
companies, the matter must be supmitted
to arbitration.
II is said that Senator Daniel, who
has twice spoken in behalf OF the long
distance phone, will again be on mana
Monday afternoon
An interesting test was made yester-
dav afternoon IN the offices Of the Rlch-
mond Telephone Company. a line was
rigged up within the building, connection
being made. first, through a leaa-
mark about four inches in length, ana
afterward through the bodies OF seven
men. who Joined hands. The connection
was perfect. and every word spoken
being as plain as possible. 1t Is esl-
mated by a skilful electrician that the
resistance caused by the bodies or the
seven men is about the same as wouiu
ba me case on a line from here to san
Francisco.
INFRINGEMENT AND REFORM.
Tho Committee on Retrenchment and
Reform will hold its next regular ses-
sion on Thursday evening commencing
~ 7.9o o'clock. Upon that occasion the
city's salary list will he considered, ana
the Clerk OF the Hastings Court ana
the commonwealth Attorney VIII pro
baby be present TO explain the duties OF
their Offices so far as the city Is con-
Cerned.
What the committee Will DO in the mat
ter Of retrenching salaries ana Wases
remains TO be seen. 1t has been decioea
by that body that the list Of salaries
and wages presented by the Special Ac-
countant should be taken up next Thurs-
DAY night and gone entirely over cuts
being made I'm every instance in wnich
they are supposed TO be justified.
The Democratic League for Coca
Government has been working TO accom-
plish this. and has appointed SUP
committee 10 confer with the Commits
sioncr OF the Revenue as 10 the more
thorough assessment Of personal pro-
perry. and the better collecting or ae-
Nnquent-taxes. IL is probable that thls
subcommittee may have some susges-
tions TO make 10 the Committee on he-
trenchment and Reform next THURSDAY
night
The committee is 10 have stenogra-
pher and this will make its Work more
permanent and effective than II mas peeh
IN the past A complete record Is 10 pS
kept Of all the testimony adduced' anu
The result viii probably be prepared ior
the Council or the public when recon-
iuenQdtlOns are made.