The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-03
Company Asked for Ten Years,
but Would Not Accept Five.
ASKS FOR INCREASED RATES
The Committee Decided Upon New
Thirty Year Franchise to Be Recon-
n7ended to the Council. Similar
to the Bell Franchise-It
Does Not Ask for Ex-
elusive Use Of Poles.

The larger portion of the time of the
c1ceting of the Street Committee OF the
Council last night was given TO the con-
sideration of the new franchise ordinance.
asked for by the Richmond Telephone
Company.
This company is living under fifteen
ycar franchise, seven years Of which are
past It asks for a franchise which Will
allow il to increase its rates from the
Iresent ones. named in its ordinance as
maximum. $3s for business and sZl Tor
residences. to the rates named in the re-
csl.fly granted Bell ordinance-$i2 for
business and $.8 for residences. 1t also
asks for ten years in which to put its
wires underground in a district in the cen-
t,'r of the city.
The committee. after considerable dis
oussion last night. instructed the city
Attorney and City Engineer TO draw up
an ordinance similar 10 the Bell ordinance,
hut with the provision that the company
he given two years il whfh to put It's
wires underground.
Mir. John c. Robertson the president OF
the company. and Mr.. Warner Moore, the
lcircipal stockholGer. were present TO
Lock after its interests.
Tia the result is far from being sats-
factory to them is shown by Mr. Moore's
statement 10 the committee that under
III. ordinance similar to tie Bell ordi-
rarce with the requirement of having TO 60
Underground in TWO years. the company
C. bic not cope with the fierce competl-
tion Of the Bell Company.
Colonel Cutsh5w reported that the cost
of a conduit system for this company in
the central district proposed would be
ssje.Fr0 If a pole system Of distribution in
alleys is adopted. or s3l60(N if the system
OF distribution in use IN Baltimore Is
adopted
Mr.. ROBERTSON HEARD.
Mr John C. Robertson. the president of
the company. was then heard. He stated
that his company asked for an ordinance
identical With that given the Bell Com
PAM except in the matter OF the time
,,,air within which the underground con-
duit system should be installed
Mr. Mills moved that the ordinance be
taken up seriatm. Mr. Mosby moved
that the same ordinance be given this
c n pany as was given the Bell Company
Colonel Cutshow called attention TO the
fact that this company does not ask Tor
exclusive use Of .conduits and poles, as
The Hell Company asked and was given.
Mir Robertson stated that he wished
the same franchise as was given the
Bell Company. with one or two eXcep-
tions. This would allow the same rates
his company are dlloNttd li4te lneii
Company. He desired ten years in which
10 pat his wires under ground. He de-
sired a thirty year ordinance. which
would expire at the same time as that of
the Eel Company. He did not ask for
exclusive use, but would let another COM
pany use his conduits.
Colonel Cutshaw thought the company
should get underground in twelve
months and that in the meantime the
Use OF temporary poles connecting with
their new exchange might be allowed.
The underground district proposed by
The Richmond Company is about the size
of the old so-called underground district
and about ore-third the size Of the new
Bell underground district. 1t extends
from Adams TO Fourteenth Streets
Mr. Robertson stated that under the
new Bell system there would be more
poles on the streets on account of the
distribution poles than under their pres
ent system. which runs up the alleys.
Mr.. Robertson. in reply to q question
OF Mr.. Bahen, stated that it would be
altogether Impossible to so under ground
in twelve months.
BELL COMPETITION.
Nr Warner Moore stated that any or
dinance of this character would force the
company out of business. His company
could not meet the competition OF the
Fell Company under the bell ordinance
as MIR. 1fosby suggested
Mr.. Mosby renewed his motion to SiNo
the company an ordinace similar TO the
Eell Company. with the following eN-
ceutions:
THAT they he not granted exclu-
swe right to condutts or poles
-. That they be required 10 place all
wires underground in the underground
district within twelve months.
IS. That they be allowed to use all
prts sent poles csned or controlled by
them and erect such others during the
twelve months as may be necessary unui
tneir ccnd1lits are completed
- That their conduits be constructed
so as to accommodate % ner cent. more
wires than are necessary for their use.
And that the City Attorney and City
Engineer be directed to prepare an ordi-
nance with these amendments as early
as pra ctica BILE.
Mr.. Pollock moved as further amend
nsent that the preparation of the ordi-
rance be left to subcommittee along
with the City Attorney and City Engi-
.:eer This amendment was lost,
UNDEEGROCND LINE LIMIT.
Mr.. Peters offered a an amendment that
the twelve months within which the COM
pany IS TO so underground he changed 10
FIVE years. This was lost by q vote Of
5 to :.
The vote was then taken on AIr. Mosby.s
resolution and il was lost by a tie Vote
OF to 6.
Mr.. Mills then offered Mr. Mosbys S reso-
luton with the change that four years be
given the company to go underground
This was lost by a vote of 5 TO !. as fol-
lows:
Ayes- Messrs. Bahen. Burton. Glenn
Mills and Peters.
Noes Messrs. Curtis. Gibson. Minor
Nosby. Pollock. Whittet ana Allen--7
Ar. Miirp then made the same motion,
bE. allowing The company 50 months in
which TO go underground This was lost
Erayr
that Mr.. Curtis voted in the affirmative