Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-05
a Telephone System to Connect
All Virginia Towns.
OPERATED BY vReINIAus
a Isesolution of Thanks to Members OF tho
General Assembly Who Voted Agains.
\ Chartering tho virginin Telephone and
~ Telegraph Company Adopted Several
81 Assistant Inspector Generals by Inspcc-
Cor General Morton DE-. HuntcrMcGulr
81. Grows Worse Daily.

.sS AS Grows Worse Daily.
IF ----
Especial to virginian-Pilot.)
Richmond, April A movement was
begun to-day having for its object the
connecting of all the towns Of Virginia
by telephone system operated by cit
izens OF Virginia.
Nearly every section Of the State was
represented at to-day's meeting, and
the utmost harmony prevailed. Those
In attendance were: Messrs. S. L.
Hoover. Winchester Telephone Com
pany: ]. A. sproul. Clifton Forge Tel
ephone Company; A. B. Guigon. Rich
mond Telephone Company; James r.
Kemper, Augusta Telephone Company;
c. e. McCluer, j. c. Robertson, Rich
mond: w, G. Switzer, Rockingham Mu-
tual; c. ID. Jones. Fluvanna Telephone
Company; j. Edwin Wood, Albemarle
Telephone Company; N. A. Watts,
Staunton Telephone Company; w. J.
helms. Newport News and Richmond
Telephone and Telegraph Company;
John II. Graybill. Shenandoah Tele-
phone Company Philip Rogers.
Gillian. Mutual Telephone Company. of
Petersburg; +. w. Sims, Louisa Tel
ephone Company; B. Laughan, Vir-
&inia and Tennessee Telephone Com
pany: c. w Scott. Lynchburg Tele-
phone Company.
OBJECT OF MEETING.
The object of the meeting, as set
Forth by the chairman, Mr.. James r.
Kemper, was:
ITO form a long distance telephone
company to connect the various indie
pendent telephone systems now in ex-
istence In the State of Virginia with
each other. and with the telephone sys-
TENS Of other States.
ITO form State organization of the
existing independent telephone COM
panies of the State, for purposes of
mutual protection and closer associa-
ton.
THE PLAN PRESENTED.
A plan which was presented for the
consideration OF the gentlemen as
6embled, and which met with general
approval. suggested that 1t should not
be the object of the proposed long-dis-
lance company to disturb or interfere
with any existing telephone systems,
but to effect the connection of the va
rtous Independent exchanges and lines
where ouch connections are not now
made by the independent companies
themselves. by building first-class long
0iSIdHCS lilies between the same, ana
not to parallel any independent long
distance lines found in existence which
may be up to the necessary standard
OF efficiency, and will make proper
leases on long term tariff arrangements
Tor through service over its lines; and
In no case to make any effort to sup
plant any local exchange by competing
with 1t for local service. In other
words. that the purpose of this long
distance company will be to encourage
the continued operation of all existing
companies-not to in any way crush
out the same. but in fact. to depend
thereon as local feeders for the long
distance lines OF the proposed company
Where local lines exist that have not
suitable long distance wires, 1t would
be advisable for the proposed long dis
lance company, where it can, to make
contract arrangements to put Its cross
arms and wires upon the poles of such
local companies at reasoable and proper
rental, and thus save largely In outlay
necessary to effect the purpose of the
proposed company.
Where independent telephone lines
exist, which are equipped. or may be
satisfactorily used for long distance
service. and which desire to sell at
proper figures, 1t would be advisable
for this company to purchase same and
thus more expedit!ously extend It's sys-
TEN and at the same time not destroy
any vested telephone interests.
BY following this general plan, 1t is
believed that all the business centres
of the State can be connected up by
an efficient long distance system, at
much less outlay than would be re-
quired IL local telephone interests
should be dlsregarded, and thus would
be created an investment that would
pay handsome dividends upon the out
put Of money.
ORGANIZATION.
At the sessions this afternoon the
company organized under the name of
the Long Distance Telephone Company
Of Virginia. The capital stock will not
be less than $4,000, nor more than $780,
600. The principal office Will be located
ut Staunton. James r. Kemner OF
Fishersvlle. was named for president,
and as directors Il. w. Sims, N. c.
Watts. c. w. Scott, ]. c. Wysor Jas.
A. Frazier. j. r. Kemper, ]. L. Wood.
w. B. McIlwaine. J. II. Grabill.
1t was also decided to form an asso-
citation Of Independents Telephone Com
panies," with offices at Richmond, ].
G. Robertson to be president and r.
Subscription books will be opened at
once and work begun rs soon as posi-
BILE. 1t Is proposed to connect first the
Staunton. Covlngton, Hot Springs. Win
chester Roanoke Lynchburg. Peters
burg and Richmond
RESOLUTION OF THANKS.
A striking feature Of the meeting was