The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-21

ton had caused them to make a strong
effort to crush it. 1t seemed to him the
Bell Company was satisfied that compe-
tition was in sight. I'VE will have anoth-
er telephone exchange in Savannah the
same as they have in Jacksonville and
other Places said Mr.. Anderson, pro
vided you do. not see proper to close the
citys doors to u.s.
Continuing his argument Mr.. Anderson
urged that Savannahans are paying high
prices for telephone service. In putting
down the underground system, which was
voluntarily, ne said the Bell company had
taken the first step to perpetuate its ex-
istence in this city. He desired to know
why it was the citizens could not get
cheaper rates, at the same time reminding
Council that the gentlemen he represented
proposes to give better service and at lower
prices. All present and future ordinances
would be gladly compiled with, he said,
but his client wanted to come into the
city on the same footing as the Bell COM
pany After sufficient business had been
developed, the new company would be en-
abled to put down the underground and
would gladly do so.
THE people are in measure at the
mercy of a telephone company where it
has the field alone" said Mr. Anderson.
They are compelled to have the service
fire it out, even when the service de
serves the severest criticism 1 only know
of one man in Savannah who had the
courage to FIRE out his telephone. For
this reason the companies in control have
things pretty much their own way If the
Bell people would cut prices 80 to 40 per
cent. they might be allowed a monopoly.
but they will never maintain it at present
prices"
MIR. Anderson concluded his remarks by
the assertion that the city has not adopted
the policy of having all wires put under
ground. For this reason the petitioner felt
warranted in asking the privilege of using
a system five years, which the Bell COM
pany had been allowed to use for ten.
Would you be willing to include in the
bond the condition to go underground in
five years?" asked Mr.. Gentry.
Most positively no. replied Mr.. An
derson.
1--WE agree to 1T and that is enough. You
should not expect condition not required
OF your company"
Council went into causus at this juncture
to consider the report. Meantime, Traffic
Manager Pope talked with representa-
tive of the Morning News about the disad-
vantages accruing from having two COM
panies. The service an Savannah is the
very best, he said, but such might not be
reduce rates below possible profit. Where
the company is not making anything, it
could not afford, he said, TO keep the serv-
Ice on par with that in towns where OPP
position does not compel a reduction be-
low the actual cost of service An effort
has been made to give Savannah an ex-
ceptionally fine telephone service, and he
said 1t was the intention to furnish none
other so long as the company could be
reasonably expected to do it,
After a short discussion, Council again
went into open meeting, and adopted the
resolution. Aldermen Thomas and Krous-
'koff voted against it, When asked if he
was Interested in the Bell company, AL
derman Thomas stated he owned a few
shares, which he had not sought, but he
said he would rot allow a consideration
OF this kind TO influence him in the posi-
ton he took against new company. He
did not think citizens would gain any
thing by having two companies, which
would necessitate subscribers patronizing
both. Ii would lead to confusion, he said,
and would compel many persons to have
two telephones, where one would serve
the purpose as we'll
Mr.. Bisbee was seen after the meeting
and asked as to whether the terms of the
resolution were acceptable
i am satisfied with the conditions he