Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-09

rate that the more business that lie
did here the less money he made, which
the undersigned respectfully submits
is an affront. pure and simple, to the
individual. q
However,, the undersigned believes
that If q frank and candid statement
VIII show that the Boil Company can
not make @ reasonab BILE profit at max
imu rate Of thirty eight dollars for the
business phone, then that maximum
should be raised to q point that would
enable 1t to make such a profit, hut
only upon the express condition That
the maximum rate of the Southern
states Company be raised to the same
limit .i.t.
If 1t be a plain JefYersonian doctrine
that In this country we should insist
upon having equal rights to oil and
speciai privileges to none. 1t strikes
the undersigned that on this day of all
Gays. when battle OF ballots is be-
ing waged for the preservation of hui
man rights and human liberty, that
IL is strikingly fit to put these two
competing companies upon AN equal
and identical basis in regard to both
their maximum and minimum rates,
and then let the commercial supremacy
OF the one over the other be determin-
ed by the law of the Survival of the
flttest."
An ordinance covering the ideas en-
Draced by this report is. submitted
herewith. all of which is respectfully
JOHN G. Triton.
Chairman Special Committee Tele-
phone Rates.
THE DEBATE BEGINS.
Mr. Tilton moved that the attorneys
heard, and was arranged that
each side should have 80 minutes
Judge Wilcox began the argument
Tor the Southern Bell Telephone Com
pany.
He stated that the same rates were
charged here as In cities of similar
size. There is discrimination In ia
Vor or Norfolk because of the greater
cost OF the submarine cable.
he said the books Of the company
were open to committee, who would
go 10 New York to learn whether the
company had lost $4,000.
He stated that company wanted only
$4,000 or $4,000.
he said there is variety of rates
SO that man pays as he uses the phone
more or less.
He stated that there is no .collusion
between the companies. The Bell
company will quit using the low rates
ene CITY can prove In court that the
contract is violated.
He said that no business man wish
ed the phone company to do business
at q loss.
NEVER SAID 1T.
Mr.. Wilcox said he never said a
franchise was not contract; 1t can
De contract. but the Southern States
franchise is not contract.
IL there Is any power to alter or
amend the charter the Councils have
the same rights to do 1t three months
or one year hence.
JUDGE TAYLOR SPEAKS.
Judge Taylor said -.e appeared In the
interest of the minority report. He
did not appear for technical arr,,r,ent
In court of law. but for a plain bus
mess talk to plain men.
The paragraph in the franchise
SHOWS tnat the Councils had and ex-
pected to use the power to amend the
pnohe franchise. 1t is question of
Mr.. Beaman asked who Mr. ra,,,
represented AaSior
pie of Norfolk 'he pep
= Mr.. Taylor said the question is Of VIC.
rdelHn OF ,asI pledge The Councils had
should keep that pledge.
IL, ne showed how the limited service
euuiu arrive out rival company. He
showed that it would create a monon.
80. Ciuei the construction of the
company the kitchen service Of The
company can raise or lower its servIce
70 any rates. An abnormal rate can
De paced on the business Phones bv
low rate for kitchen phones.
ne Appealed to justice. Why has the
Southern Bell an unlimited rate while
tne other company Is tied to a limited
rate? 1iiiii'eu
MR.. GooDE SPEAKS.
MT. Goooe said Mr. Taylor has pre-
sented the matter so plainly and forci-
Oily that little more is necessary.
He spoke of the trend Of public SEN
timent on the question of telephones
NO citizen not in some way Connected
with the company but who Is in favor
or putting the companies on equal
terms.
There should be representatives of
the people who will legislate for the
people. Nine-tenths Of your constttu-
ents would be in favor of equal rights
to rivals. Should you not give rights
or impose restrictions equally.
EQUAL RIGHTS TO ALL.
The Bell came here without a fran
chise, the Southern States agreed to
come here and expend its money for
certain privileges. 1t was restricted to
rates. The city agreed not to give bet
ter terms to any other company After
that franchise different from that
was granted to the Southern Bell. That
piohe tne contract Ihere IS no mis-
take about it's meaning. This contract
cannot be repudiated any more than
you can repudiate the city bonds The
contracts are the same. There is but
one thing to do. Both companies must
operate under the same conditions. It
is good policy to act now to prevent a
monopoly. s..
JUDGE WILCOX REPLIES.
Mr.. Wilcox replied that there is no
mOnOpOly according TO his convention
The Southern States have not urged
for any remedy. The Bell Company is
asking Councils to affirm the franchise.
CAPTAIN OLD SPEAKS.