The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-04
LONG DISTANCE
LINES ARE SOLD
Bell Company Thought 10 be The
Purchaser.
HARD BLOW TO LOCAL EXCHANGE
Notice OF Sale Comes as Surprise tc Rich
moHd Compuny, but its Officers Say This
VIII Have No Effect Upon the Plans
for New Plant-Extent of Lines.
HARD BLOW TO LOCAL EXCHANGE

The Long Distance Telephone Company
of Virginia, comprising all the long dis
tance lines in the State, independent of
the Bell Company, has been sold to a
New York party, who is believed to repre-
sent the Bell Company This move gives
that company entire control of all long
distance connections in this State, and
shuts in all local independent exchanges,
as that of the Richmond Telephone Com
pany. within the confines Of the local
business of the community in which they
are operating. In considerable measure
it gives to the Bell interests the ad-
vantages they endeavored to gain by the
legislative charter of three years ago,
Which created such a commotion in tele-
phone circles at the time. Its Importance
ana moment Just at this juncture. when
tie Richmond Telephone Company is
nghling Tor its very existence. the deter
mined battle OF the Bell Company for "a
local franchise. can be hardly overstateG.
kiCjiMO.>D COMPANY NOTIFIED.
The Richmond Telephone Company yes
terday received an epistle from its one
time long-distance ally, the Long Dis
tance Telephone Company of Virginia,
which came as a thunderbolt from d
clear sky. This brief and unique COM
munfcation set fortll with great economy
of verbiage that the company had sold
out root and branch and wanted a
settlement at an early date.
The following is the letter in full
James r. Kemper, president; c. w.
Scott yice-president; G. a. Gulley, sec
retaly and treasurer.
Long Distance Telephone Company
of Virginia.
Home Office
y-o
Richmond Telephone Company,
Mr. Cherry, cashier:
Dear Sir,-Ths company having sold
out, root and branch, it becomes neces-
sary TO close all accounts at once to Oc-
tober 1st Please send me a correct
statement of our standing, with check to
cover. at once, and oolise
Yours.
THE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE
COMPANY OF VIRGINIA.
G. A Gulley. secretary and treasurer.
The only Interpretation to be put upon
the letter was that the Long Distance
Company had been bought in by the
Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph
Company or by the Observation-Disclosures
and Telegraph Company, the name under
which the long distance lines OF the
Bell Company are operated.
WAI.L STREET MAN BUYS.
The facts in the case as secured last
right hy .hc Sttaunton representative CT
The Times are set forth in the following
special dispatch:
The Long Distance Telephone Com
pany of Virginia has sold out to ]. B.
Curtis. OF Wall Street. New York. Par
ties here decline TO give the price at this
time. 1t is not known for whom Curtis
has made the purchase 1t cannot be
stated that it is for the Bell Company.
The Long Distance Company has been
organized about a year, and is forced to
the wall for the want OF means to carry
on construction. All the long distance
connections go with the sale, but the
mutual companies are not touched
KNEW NOTHING OF IT.
When seen yesterday evening, Mr. Hunt
Chipley, superintendent of the Bell Com
pany for the Nirginias and Carolinas,
stated that he knew nothing of any such
deal.
Mr.. John c. Robertson, the president
OF the Richmond Telephone Company,
stated that the letter came as a surprise
to him. Il have no idea who is the pur-s
chaser" said he. ut may be the Bell
Company or it may be people who will
continue it as an independent line. The
lines from Richmond to Petersburg and
from Richmond to Newport News and
Hampton have been recently built by this
company. The Bell Company now has a
9iy,Iyf r. HN,,. Do \