Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-28
TO BOYCOTT THE BELL
YOUNG MEMS ASSOCIATION DE-
CLARE AGAINST OLD 'PHONE.
PATR0NIZE THE HOME ENTERPRISE.
Quite "a Spirited Meeting of the Or
ganizatiOn and Some stirring
succcbex Mnde-Judge COTS De-
cisfon Sharply Criticised.

Business Association endorsed last night
the resolutions referred by their Board
Of Directors touching the telephone IS
sue. and in no uncertain way pledged
It's members TO patronize one company
only and that the one fostered by local
capital.
The meeting was interesting, and
breezy too. at times. and as full of sur
prises as the cornucopia. There were
about seventy members Of the associa-
ton present. and Mr.. Henry Lee Valen-
tine presided.
As soon as the meeting was called to
order it was announced that the re-
strictions hitherto imposed upon mem
bers of the press in the publication OF
reports Of meetings OF the ASSOCIATION
had been removed by unanimous COM
sent of the directorate.
The resolutions framed by the direc-
tors I'm regard to the telephone matter
which were published in yesterdays
Dispatch. were then read, and in con-
nection with them letter from the
president OF the Richmond Telephone
Company, which stated In erect that
they were prepared TO extend their lines
to all suburbs. and to make any connec-
ton whatever in or about the city.
WANTED THEM TO COME OUT.
Mr.. John A. Lamb took the floor on
the plea of personal privilege ana
sprung the first surprise of the meet
| ing by moving the adoption of the fol-
| lowing preamble and resolution:
Whereas. IT has been stated to q mem
| ber of this association by an ofhcer OF
| the Bell Telephone and Telegraph COM
pany that he desired and propOS'u having
| opposition 10 the resolution which he ex-
| pected would be offered in reference 10
| telephone companies; and whereas, said
| officer of the Bell Telephone ana 1ele-
| graDh Company approached Il member
| of this association and attempted to Sc
| cure his services for the purpose OF ere
ating opposition TO said resolution in re-
| ference to telephone companies; there-
fore be II
Association. That all persons who pro-
| pose discussing said resolution I'm refer
| ence 10 telephones, be requested, peiore
proceeding with such discussion. TO state
! whether or not they are connected WIN
| said Bel Telephone Company, ana
whether they have been employed 10 op-
pose said resolution
LET ALL SPEAKERS EXPLAIN.
Mr.. Lamb, i'm submitting this resolution
said that he believed ii was so reasohdpie y.
and the intention of IT so obvious that u
| would need no discussion.
Mr.. r. Lecky moved as an amehuiheh'
to the above the following:
| BE It resolved by the Young Men
business Association, That all persons
| who propose discussing said resolution III
| reference 10 telephones be ~equcsiru, pe-
| fore proceeding with such discussion, 10
| state whether or not they are connecteu
| with any telephone company, ana Whe'hSi
| they have been employed 10 oppose oI "u-
yocate said resolution.
Mr.. Hill Montague said he represented
neither company, but he was opposed both
| 10 the resolution and the amendment.
| lie thought the case should be argued
on its merits. and that in the interest
| of fair play the discussion should be
| full and free.
Mr.. Lamb. speaking under visible eX-
| element. said: I'VE want unbiased opln-
ions. We want to know, when man
taxes the floor. whether he speaks in the
interest Of Richmond, or for some cor
poration. or in his own private interest.
| I was approached this morning, he de-
| clared. "by' an officer of the Bell Iele-
| phone Company. and asked TO come mere
| and represent them. and use my influence
on their behalf. | refused, because
felt that the interests of the Bell Tele-
| nh0n9
of Richmond / have the highest regard
for the officers of the company, and
do not think the suggestion was made In
the nature of a bribe. Had so con-
sidered il I would have kicked the man
out of my Office"
| Mr. White said he had canvassed the
citv TO ascertain the drift of public opin-
ion i'm regard TO the situation, but al TINS
point he was called TO order by the chair
man. who remarked that he didn't think
that had any bearing on the resolution
before the body, and Mr.. White took his
seat. expressing the hope that the motion
would prevail
Mr.. James w. Gordon said the pream-
bic of Mr. Lambs resolution was a mat
ter of purely private concern ana the
association had nothing 10 do with H.
Mr.. Lamb accepted Mr.. Lecky's amend
ment. and the motion was put ana car
red without dissent.
THE RESOLUTIONS TAKEN UP.
The resolutions OF the directors were
then read and reread. Mr.. Lecky urged
that they should receive a cool, cain,
ard deliberate consideration, but there
VAS a manifest reticence in approach
ing the subject at all.
After some delay which was punctu-
|
d. Myers. Jr., rose and moved that the
following should be inserted in the pre-
amble: whereas, the charges Of the
Richmond Telephone Company are
limited by their franchise, and their ser
vice is subject TO the supervision Of the
Committee on Streets"
This amendment provoked no discus
sion, and was put and carried, feW
? votes being ca 1t for it and none against
r. IL was then decided to take tn,
/ resolutions up section by section. Upor
; the reading of the amended preamble
Mr.. r. H. Rood. manager OF the Bel
, Comapny, asked permission 10 state tha
that company had LBS subscribers al
= the end of last week, and some mac
been added since This statement wa.
, made in allusion to that part OF the
preamble. which claimed that the mum
ber of subscribers Of the Richmond
/ Telephone Company is largely in exces:
of the subscribers OF any other com
panv." Mr. Rood was asked how many
4 subscribers his company had when In
new company came into existence, anC
| he replied promptly l,OoI.
| "How many names on your list arr
deadheads?" asked a member. but be
fore Mr.. Rood could reply, Mr.. Leck,
Jumped TO his feet. on point OF order
and asked that the question should o'
( ruled out. as the Young Mems Busines
Association had nothing to do with In
: private contracts Of the telephone com
2 pany and their patrons.
! Mr.. Gordon took issue with Mr.. Lecks
He said the question appeared 10 MN
, | ba ouite pertinent. Mr.. Joseph waller
stein said he thought the question as I
which company had the most telephone
, an use was not the one at issue, and oil
E not concern the meeting. THE questio
J. is" he said, twill this association
e stand by the Council?" He then re
s'" - circumstances under which IN