The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-04-08

chart"r within thirty days was adopted.
n resolution was adopted authorizing
me voters Of Rrumb!eton ward to vote
III May for the Issue Of $l50,OOO Of sew
erage bonds. and for an increase in the
tax rate from 81 to $3.50
me only Item OF new business trans
acted was resolution from the Finance
Committee. referring the Old Dominion
Steamship company to the courts for adj
1ustment Of taxes said to have been err
roncously assessed. was read and adopt
ed.
TIL T. TELEPHONE, MATTER.
Mr.. II. c. Davis here moved that the
telephone matter be taken up Mr.. L..
w. Davis insisted upon 4 motion that
the regular business BE proceeded with.
The chair decided that consideration Of
The telephone franchise was the regular
order.
Both sides accepted one hour as the
limit Of each discussion
Gen. II. +. Meancy. OF the American
Telephone and Telegram company, took
the floor and made Il strong detailed
presentation OF the claims Of his com
nany, In support of its applicable for Il
franchise for both local and long dis
lance franchise. %Ie emphasized tho
necessity for the companys owning It's
own terminal facilities. He combatted
the proposition to fix IL miximum rate
and also tho clause compelling inter-
change OF business with other COMMA
MES.
He suggested as a change in the fran
chise that the time allowed his company
10 begin construction be reduced from
two years to six months. He also sus-
gested that his trunk lines be allowed to
enter the city overhead rs far as the
underground conduit district
General AIcancy was catechiscd by
Messrs. Farant, Anderson ana Hccht, Of
the Common Council. Mr.. X. Henry
Jones. OF the Select Council, also asked
permission TO question the General. and
did 50. That gentleman answered all
questions put to him and finished his
speech in an hour and fifteen minutes.
JUDGE BROOKE FOLLOWS.
The next speaker was Judge d. Tucker
Brooke, counsel for the Southern States
Telephone company. who opposed the
granting of the franchise.
The Judge based his argument largely
upon the implied agreement between the
city and the Southern States company,
with respect to the entrance Of other
companies.
He read the petition sent in by the
banks, etc, praying for the granting OF
the long distance company. which was
signed by AIR. w H. Wales. Jr. and
planning that he signed protest against
granting the franchise because he did
not know in the first instance that the
long distance company would ask for q
local franchise. The speaker placed
especial stress upon the possibility Of a
monopoly resulting from the granting OF
the franchise, and the consequent posi-
bility of the Introduction of this ques-
ton into local politics. He contended
for the imposition Of a maximum rate
and the requirement for interchange Of
business.
Nov" he continued. IT know that
there are pending at present nego,ia-
tons between the city and the Southern
States Telephone company for the pur-
chase OF their conduits in this city, so
as to accommodate all companies dcsir-
ing to operate In the underground dis
trict. IT seems to me that the clause
permitting them to build subways ter
inmates these negotiations prior to their
complete consideration. This Is point
for YOU to seriously consider"
In closing the Judge commended that
the franchise should not be granted un-
der any circumstances in its present
shape.
MIR. THOA1's ARGUMENT.
Mr.. Alfred P. Thorn closed for the
American Telephone company, He re-
PEELED vigorously the assertion of Judge
Brooke, that the granting OF the fran
chise would be morally wrong. No one
- SotAt III all tliiic
keep away by its enactment the pro-
gressive instrumentalities needed by the
business Of the city. He charged that
the members Of the Council which en-
tered into the implied contract with the
Southern States company that no other
company should be admitted to the city
except on the same terms they were
granted. had unwittingly violated their
oaths Of office In cndeavoring to tie the
hands of subsequent Councils.
He read letter written by Col. Wal
ter Fl. Taylor and signed by other
prominent bankers strongly advocating
the passage Of the ordinance
THE DISCUSSION.
y The question was then laid before the
Council for action, and Mr.. Peclle moved
the adoption Of the ordinance.
ia CONTINUED on Third Page.l