The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-16


'If the ong-distance phone comes to
Richmond" he said "a man on the banks
OF the James has but 20 say Hello and
Chicago sits by his table. Boston Is at
mis- gate. and all the world IS open TO him.
We hope. gentlemen, that you will see
III TO grant our franchise and If the local
company is afraid we will undecut them
in price. insert a clause in our franchise
that we shan not do so: but. until we
have more experience in matters tele-
phonc. | would advise that no arbitrary
rule bee laid down. which while correcting
an Injustice i'm one place may DO a worse
In another.
If this franchise IS granted you will
get a frst-class telephone service. IL
will be good. but you will have 10 pay
for A. You can't get a good dinner at
a Decent lunch counter. nor french
brandy for five cents drink.
NO cheap John business Will do. IT II
comes here YOU won't have TO take II UNI
less YOU want 1t: it's not going to knock
YOU down. and make you pay fr It,
Now we say open your doors and
ri,o MS a chance We are ready 70
build conduits for our wires. and to con-
struct any other safeguards you may
require
senator Daniel wound up his splendid
speech by returning his hearty thanks 10
tho committee for its courtesy ana patent
4 SURPRISE.
captain Gulgon replied TO Senator Dan
lel in "a nfteen-minutes' speech OF great
vicor. lie congratulated the committee
on the able speech with which the dis
tlnguished Senator had favored them ana
said he mad much enjoyed it himself. lie
disclaimed frankly any intention OF max
ing any personal reflection upon Colonei
Anderson By the use Of the word "dlsih-
gonuous' i'm his opening speech.
Captain Guleon took mp ssnator Daniel s
points one by one and replied 10 them'
There WIS need. ne said. that only one
company should have local privileges ne
cause tolephone company was a natural
monopoly. AS every one knew.
Captain Guigon then again replied TO
the statement rlado by Senator Daniel,
which was aftc-Naius Withdrawn by that
gentleman. that the Richmond Telephone
Company had once offered TO turn over
IFS rights TO tho Bell Company. lie could
not mako his denial too emphatic ne
said The only thing that had ever SAVIOR
ed OF such % thing i'm their history was
when am agent for some company UNI
known had twice approached them with
offers which had been Indignantly re-
iectcd ms he refused 20 tell what would
be done with the franchise.
The speaker repeated his assertion that
under IN. plan outlined by the company
fl would be- impossible for them TO spend
i'm virginia s. 000.0l) which they had
promised to spend.
Captain Guipon then sprung surprise
and % most disconccrting one. apparently.
10 the American Telephone CompanF
representatives ~ asserting that thIt
company was now CIamorins for ad MIS-
sion to the Cty Of Lacrosse. WIS. upon
the ground that they were "a part am
parcel az the nell Company
''ri Is information comes 10 me from
citizen Of Lacrosse. he said.
General Moany a. ono rose Co. his feet
and denied ta.t such was th' case.
we have no lines within hfty miles of
LaCrosse' De- said.
CAPTAIN Guigon said that Inc would not
dispute General Mcanys assertion which
he believed 10 Doe made in ail candor.
but Doe was equally candid. and would
leave the committee TO Judge.
The speaker closed with an impressive
warning 90 the committee not 10 rum the
risk of putting the city in tho grasp of
IFS old enemy the Bell Company
ACTION POSTPONED.
After Senator Daniel lad said that his
side had nothing furthc- TO say Mr..
Foster arose ind said that he did not
feel. after such flood of oratory. that
he was competent 10 pass upon the Inn
portart question Of whether al franchise
should DE granted or not he. therefore,
moved that the matter Doe laid ON the ta-
bic until the next meeting. The motion
was adopted.
The report of the subcommittee recon-
mendng the payment of damages 10 per-
sonal property suffered boy residents ON
Fourth street. was approved.
After some further routine matters. ihe
committee adjourned. after having been
in session nearly six hours.
OTHER COMMITTEES.
There We're three committee meetings
at o'clock yesterday afternoon. but no
business Of any especial moment was
transacted. All of the members OF the
Committee on Elections were promptly
ON hand. The claims OF the Electoral
Board. on motion. We're referred back.
with the request that a detailed state
ment of services rendered during the Pc
cent new registration Doe furnished in
accordance with Section 10 Of the Code
OF Virginia.
The Light Committee also had fun
attendance. The usual bills We're order
ed 10 be- paid. The question of ascer-
tanning the relative cost of coal and
water gas was referred 10 the Commit
tee on Manufactures. and the payment
OF lah0rers was turned over 10 tine Com
mittec ON Labor. both being sub-com-
mittees OF the Light Committee These
subcommittee Will visit the Gas-Norks
and report.
The Committee on Fire Department met
and transacted routine bus.atss. TUG
members present We're Messrs. EDeL
Foster Hardwicke. and Witte.