The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-10
WANTS TO COVER THE CITY.
American Telephone Does Not In
tend 20 Establish Local Exchange.


Il is NOT the intention Of the American
Telephone and Telegraph Company. which
has asked the city Council for franchise
for an overhead and underground system
to establish a local exchange in Savannah
The companys plans have not yet beer
perfected. it is stated, but the intention is
to complete the circuit of long distance
telephones that are now being built. The
chances are that Council will act on the
petition soon.
The petition looked as if the foundation
stones of a lively fight among new tele-
phone companies were being laid, but the
assertion that the long-distance company
only intends TO reach some central point
where the exchange will be established
seems to indicate to the contrary. The
reported relations Of the American long
distance and the Bell Telephone Company
are such that there is apparently little
necessity of two local systems. MIR. Ed
ward j. Hall president OF the Ben -
general manager of the American, and
this NAV mean che two companies VIII
work together when the connections are
made. it Is asserted it also means both WIZ
work for their mutual protection against
competition.
Mr.. Walter S. Chisholm counsel IN
charge of the American company apph-
cation for franchise. was asked yesterday
about the plans the new company VII
ADOPT. The purpose of applying at th'S
ie
pany's circuit of long-dstance telephones
which has already grown to be the largest
system In the world. on being asked the
reason for applying for FRANCHISE over
the entire city. Mir Chisholm said 1t Is 10
protect the company against future com,
petitiye conditions such, for instance, as
another long distance telephone. Mr. ems
holm said he was not prepared 10 sPeah
as to the companys plans, ana pesloe9'
he said, they concern the ofnclais aioiie'
The company win give bond 90 the CITY
for the proper execution OF the cohuA'iohS
of the franchise
1.-THE fact that the company has selected
Savannah as point on the circuit OF long
distance telephones is simply recogni'
ton of the city's commercial Importance,
said Mr.. Chisholm THE ordinance fully
sets out the conditions under which the
franchise is asked.
Alderman James NJ. Dixon was seen IN
connection with the American company's
application 1t would be against the POI
icy of the city to shut out any company
desiring to establish its business here, and
for this reason he thinks Council VIII
grant the franchise, though he was not
prepared TO name the conditions that
should apply. He said the companies now
asking franchises viii get all the encour-
agement they desire, provided they con-
vince Council of their good intentions.
An official of the Bell Telephone In Sa-
vannah stated yesterday that the work
on the long-distance lines was progress
ing, and would be brought to the city in
a short time. According to my under
standing" he said, the Bell company is
to build as far as Columbia S. c., where
1t will meet the line the American compa-
ny Is bringing this way. 1t Is later the in
tention to build line from Charleston to
Augusta"
In the next few months the prospects
are the work on conduits will be eonside-
rabe Other persons who have obtained
franchises will soon begin work, it is stat
ed. and the city will put on an air of ac-
tivity. Mr.. Bisbee is laying his plans for
the establishing Of system in Savannah,
but has not made any definite announce
ment OF the course he will pursue.