Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-04
CHOOSE YE.

M ro vet 70 hear or see. in writing or
,r,,t the first sound argument In FAVOR OIL
o,r citv's granting to the American 'eie-
,a Telegraph Company such focal
privileges as have been recommended DS
the street Committee.
One may go from house TO house on 'he
.,.o.s streets of Richmond and discuss
.,o question with all whom he meets anu
rarely will he find any person VINO ia'oi'
The committees proposition
we cannot imagine what arguments
,,.xa,led with the committee to CAUSE d"
,ho action that 1t did. We are not
aware that any representative BODY uise'
A., Committee TO reverse the city's estap-
,,shed pollcy; nor have we heard OF any
netition to that effect. On the contrary
oye,v expression of opinion that mas come
from the people has been to the erect 'nu'
:, the American Telephone and Telegraph
comnany is to have local privileges al all
those privileges ought to be no greater
than those heretofore granted the nome
company.
There was. indeed. upon the part Oh
strenuous objection to comforting
INV local privileges upon the America"
Co,onany. But that was never the DiS-
.oh,s nosition. We remember that the
civ Council had been careful not 10 give
tho home company exclusive privileges
o,a IN MS it seemed reasonable that the
American Company should have 'he
means OF protecting itself against any
unjust exactions that might be MADE OIL
1t here.
rha American Company always saiu
..o. a. would not wish TO do local p'lsi-
ness here If it could make suitable 'erih'-
-, orrapgements with local company.
:, renresented to the public that II couiu
not afford &c make the large eNpe"''-
,,ro ~ money that would be necessary
% hiring its lines here If local co"-
AsaS 10 NC
limited terminal charges upon It, HIS
,.,a,v seemed reasonable but we cannot
eaors,ard how the American Company
could have expected us to FAVOR 10
oo,or extent than we have favored
49, homo company. The city Couhei'
has fxed a maximum Of rates ior 'he
homo company, and thus preeeuei'
sos been established, which must De re-
araad as the cty's policy. Anu So
all comers' must be served "'Ne'
uence we contend that If the American
carv wishes local privileges 1t must
ers, consent to the City Counc'ls I'M
inc maximum rate of charges ior IT'S
=, BUSINESS. We are not concerning
ourselves about the charges 'hat 'ne
American Company may make Tor long
a,s,arce serysce-we'll leave that to take
care of itself-but We must attend TO the
more important matter OF local charges
The Richmond public does not wish 10
fall into tht idhNo ~ -
nopolv again, more especially one that
has unlimited powers to fix rates. Our
neople fear that should such franchise
na granted the American Company. the
nome company will be driven to the
wal-saueezed to death by merciless
co,npetition--and that when II Is dead
and buried we shall find ourselves In
the hands of a monopoly. endowed with
perpetual life, and fully authorized TO
exact such rates as 1t may deem proper.
From this danger the City Council must
protect us.
The established policy Of this city
should stand. II 1t becomes question
between surrenderlng that policy. and
giving up all present prospect OF long,
distance phone service, we say let's
give up the latter. fs
go - -
II IL gratifying. remarks a coptem'
porary, 10 get from Secretary of-the,