Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-09-07
TELEPHONE RATES
Again Considered Yesterday by
the Board Of Trade Committee.
MT. Crews Was Unable to Answer tho Oues-
tions of the Committee-No Definite
Conclusion Reached Committee May
Recommend Level Rates in tho City
City Has Right to Repeal Bell Franchise
Section o Another Meeting To-day.

The special committee of the Norfolk
Board of Trade and Business Mems
Association appointed to investigate
the matter of charges for telephone
service in Norfolk, Portsmouth and
Berkeley, held another meeting yester-
day ut noon at the room OF the secre-
tary of the Board of Trade and Bus
mess Mems Association.
There were present Messrs. Wales
tchairman), Hodges. Jones and Priddy,
E. L. Dawes, secretary. and MIR. j. w.
Crews, special agent OF the Bell Tele-
phone Company, who was accompanied
by Judge Thomas II. Wilcox.
1t was closed meeting, and no in
formation was given out when it was
concluded. The matter of rates and
expenses of maintaining the local SER
vice of the Bell Telephone Company
was discussed. and Mr.. Crews was
asked many questions on the subject.
but he stated that he did not know
what it cost to operate the Bell tele-
phone system here. He only knew, he
said. that the company is losing about
$4,000 a year here. He was unable to
furnish data showing receipts and ex-
penses.
When asked how 1t was that the
Bell company is affording similar SER
vice in other Virginia and North Caro-
lima cities at from $12 to s25 per an
mum. and if the company Is operating
ut a loss in those cities, he said he sup
posed it is.
When asked if the expense of oper-
ating plant in Norfolk is greater than
1t is in other cities of the same size, he
replied that he thought 1t was, on ac-
count of the expense of suhways.
The result of the meeting was I'M
satisfactory, as Mr.. Crews could not
give the committee the information de-
sired The committee will hold an
other meeting this afternoon at 8
O'Clock, when Mr.. Crews may again
appear before 1t.
Mr.. Crews stated that the local Bell
company operates nder lease from
the central company. but did not make
1t clear to all present just what it
leases. He admitted that 1t operates
under it's own charter. owns it's own
poles and wires. but intimated that
when he said it operated under Il lease
he meant that it leased the local use
of certain patents.
POSSIBLE ACTION.
The committee is strenuously en-
deavorng to obtain clear and full in
formation in the matter of telephone
rates in order that matters may be
adjusted justly to the Bell company
and the public that is dependent on
telephone service. If, after ba careful
consideration of the facts, it decides
that present rates are not remune-
rative to the Bell company 1T may re-
commend that new rates be adopted
that will afford the company reas-
enable profit on it's Investment. Until
the information needed is obtained the
committee cannot decide if any ad-
vance, or if so what advance. is reus-
enable. While no basis is at hand on
which to base rates. it is suggested
that perhaps n maximum of $40 for
business and So for residence phones
would be ample. If any basis is fixed
on as just, the committee will probn-
bly, urge the Councils to establish the
rates the committee decides ON as max
imum rates. If this is done the com
mittec may further recommend that
the same maximum rates be fixed for
the Southern BELL Telephone Company.
MAY ASK REPEAL OF CHARTED.
If the committee cannot come to n
satisfactory understanding it may re-
commend that the Councils act ainder
section of the ordinance granting the
Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph
Company the right to do business in
the city of Norfolk
SECTION Q.
The section referred to reads as fol-
lows:
1.-THE right to amend. alter or re-
peal this ordinance is hereby reserved
to the city of Norfolk at its pleasure
and without making compensation for
any damage that may-result from
such amendment. alteration or re-
peal"