The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-12-10
THE BELL TELEPHONE FRANCHISE.
What Was Said and Done at the Special
Meeting of City Council.

A Speclal meelng OF C1Gy CounclI
was not held on last Wednes-
day night to consider the renew
al of the application of the South
ern Bell Telephone Co., for
franchise on account of the absence
of a quorum. However meeting
was held at II o'clock Thursday with
bare quorum present, Aldermen Boyle
Hurst, Finn and G.. F. Epperson being
absent.
Mr.. j: King, the representative of
the Southern Bell Telephone & Tele-
graph Co., was present and stated
briefly what the company wished the
city to grant in the nature Of fran
chise. He said that the company asks
for franchise covering all lines Of
business in which the company is en-
gagged, but that for the present there is
no intention to establish local tele-
phone exchange in Sumter. It is the
purpose Of the company, however, to
Immediately establish a long distance
telephone station here and this will
be done just as soon as franchise is
secured. Later, if the people Of Sum-
ter desire it and the Bell company re-
ceiyes the necessary encouragement
and assurances of patronage, an up-to-
date local telephone exchange,
furnishing the very best service it is
possible to give, will be established.
A local exchange would not be es-
! tablished before November 1903, the
date of the expiration of the exclusive
franchise of the Sumter Telephone
Co., for the Bell Company does not
desire to come into conflict with
what is well known to be the opinion
of several members of Council-that
there exists moral obligation not
to grant another franchise until No
vember 1903.
! He said also that it is not now the
policy of the Bell Company to do cut
throat business where there is competi-
ton, but to give the best service pos
sible and charge reasonable rates, de-
pending for patronage upon the
quality of service. # the franchise is
granted, the Bell Company would be
willing to make it part Of the
agreement that the rate shall never
exceed the rates charged by the Bell
Company in any other town in the
South of the same size and where
similar conditions exist; also to make
part of the agreement maximum
and minimum scale of rates to remain
effective for five years. The company
would not agree to scale of rates
for longer period than five years,
because it is impossible to forsee or
predict the changes in the methods
of business or the changes in the cost
of operating an exchange that may
take place in ten or more years.
He read tie frachise-ordinance he
wished adopted. It is the same as
presented heretofore by representatives
Of the Bell Company, except for the
addition of two sections relative to the
franchise for local exchange not be-
coming effective until November 1903
and that the rates charged shall not
exceed the rates charged in towns
similar to Sumter in size and condi-
tions.
Mr.. Chandler called Mr.. Kings at
tention to the fact that an ordinance
granting the Bell Company a. fran
chise for long distance station was
adopted several months ago, and that
the company is at liberty to establish
the long distance service whenever it
sees 1T.
The ordinance was discussed inform
ally, the section making the acceptance
by the city of the use of cross-arm
on the telephone poles for police and
fire alarm systems the consideration
for which the franchise is granted
receiving most attention.
It was decided to take no action
until the regular meeting On Wednes-
day night, and the matter was in the
meanwhile referred for consideration
to a committee consisting of Alder
men Chandler, Hurst and Schwerin.
The committee of Council appointed
to consider the application of the
Southern Bell Telephone Co. for a
franchise, held a meeting Friday
afternoon at which Mr.. J. King was
present. The terms of the franchise
which will be recommended by the
committee were stated to Mr.. King
and he will submit the matter to the
officials of the company to ascertain if
the franchise will be accepted.
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