Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-10-23

SlHiun-EllOt To-Day continues us series
or interviews. These show general
belief that the franchises of the South
Elm Bell Telephone Company and
American Telephone and Telegraph
Company be amended to conform with
that OF the Southern States and that
reasonable maximum rate be fixed also.
Well-known citizens hold views as fol-
lows:
MIR. PETER SMITH.
Mr.. Peter Smith, dry goods merchant,
said equal terms should be made with
both companies. There should be mini
mum and maximum rates. so that
neither company would have any adj
vantage over the other. He advocates
such action of the City Councils as
Will protect the citizens from any ex-
tortionate rates that either company
may fix. He said it is Il plain bust
ness proposition that the two COM
panics should have the same minimum
and maximum rates. He advocates
concerted action of the merchants in
stopping the use of the Bell phone.
49,
IF THE CITY EVER NEEDS A
mIGGER WATER SUPPLY WHAT'S
THE MATTEft WITH TAPPING
SOME BELL TELEPHONE COM
PANY STOCK
MIR. J. ID. BURROW.
Mr.. j. ID. Burrow. OF Burrow, Martin
seems To be unanimous in expressing
the opinion that the City Councils
should alter the franchise of the Bell
Telephone Company. There is no diff
ference of opinion on the subject 1t is
a simple business proposition that the
telephone companies should be treated
alike. There should be maximum and
minimum rates. and the companies
should be forced to comply with them.
o. q
IF NEWPORT NEWS WILL SIC
CURE y SMALL SLICE or BELL
SUPPLY QUESTION WILL BE
QUICKLY SETTLED.
MIR. p. j. MALBON.
Mr.. r. j. Malbon, hardware mer-
chant said 1t Is proper and right that
the city Councils should amend the
franchise Of the Bell Telephone Com
pany. The Councils should fix a maxi
mum and minimum rate so that both
telephone companies will be on an
cqual roofing here. He can't under
stand why there should have been any
difference in the franchises, and he
sees no reason now why they should
not be made to conform TO one another.
wo-ciri;xed! etaoi shrdl cmfwyp vbgl1q
1T IS NOT RIGHT TO MAKE FISH
OE ONE AND FLESH OF ANOTHER.
THE COUNCILS SHOULD PUT THE
SSS MAXIMUM LIMIT IN THE
FRANCHISES OF THE TWO BELL
COMPANIES.
MIR. e. V. WHITE.
MIR. 10. V. White. railroad. steamboat
and mill supplies. said he cannot see
how the City Councils can refuse to
amend the Bell franchise so as to make
that telephone company's rates equal TO
the rates of those of the Southern
States. 1t is unjust to limit the. rates
OF one company and not limit the rates
OF the other. He believes a concerted
action OF the merchants would induce
the Bell Company to reduce it's rates
He doesn't mean to wait for concerted
action, however, as he has already di-
rected the Bell Company to remove it's
phone. He believes that the Councils
should fix rates for the companies
There should he n maximum and a
minimum rate. The Southern States
seems 10 be doing we'll at its rates.
There is no reason why the Bell rates
should be higher. Neither service is as
good as 1T ought to be.
NO STAR CHAMBER BUSINESS
IN NORFOLK. IF IT IS ATTEMPT
ED THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT WILL
WANT TO KNOW THE WHY AND
WHEREFORE.
MIR. II. L. PAGE.
Mr.. II. l.. Page, real estate dealer.
said: If the Bell Telephone Company
Is losing money, why doesn't 1t show
by statement of its capital invest
ment and it's receipts and expenditures?
That is a plain business matter. No
body wants a corporation to lose
money, but the BELL Telephone Com
pany has not showed that it is losing
money. Hence, there must be some
thing behind that the public knows
nothing about. Mr.. Page has settled
with the Bell Company to November
LIST when the new rates go into effect
and ordered out the phone after that
date. Mr.. Page thinks the City Coun-
ellis should put & maximum and a mini
mum rate on all of the telephones here
so as to prevent monopoly Meantime
he thinks there is no reason why the
rates here should be higher than they
are at any other place.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON PUBLIC
SERVANTS WHO WOULD DO PUB
Lie BUSINESS IN LOCKED ROOMS
AND WITH THE CURTAINS DOWN.
MIR. FRANK II. GALE.
Mr.. Frank II. Gale, manager of the
Gale Jewelry Company. said approx
ed of the agitation the Virginian- Pilot
is making of the telephone question.
What is strange is that the Bell Tele-
phone Company. though losing money
mere In it's business, is still seeking
more of the same business that will
drive 1t into bankruptcy At Roanoke
several months ago the Bell Telephone
Company was giving its service at s15
q year for business phones and Sl2
year for residence phones. Mr. Gale.
who is member of the Local Board Of
Improvement of Brambleton Ward
said: IF We're in the City Councils
now 1 would contend for maximum
and a minimum rate by the phone
companies. I would make them do
business at $40 year. If they can't do
that here l don't see how they can do