The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-07-23
New Telephone Franchise.

franchise. The ordinance was adopted
Friday afternoon last at n meeting
check full Of spice and variety in the
way of spirited debate, and no action
taken by Council for years has so
thoroughly stirred UP the people and
called forth so much criticism aud dis
cussion. In the meeting his Honor.
Mayor Folly, kicked entirely out of
traces and left, and among the rci
phone subscribers there WAS and still
is kicking from away back.
For some time past there has been
considerable dissatisfaction with the
present telephone service. and during
that time the Southern Bell Tclc-
phone and Telegraph Company has
been trying to get Il franchise which
would enable them to pnt i'll IL compct-
ing system. The superiority of the
Bell system was recognized, but it was
thought unwsc to let them in on the
guarantees and concessions they pro-
posed.
1t developed recently that an agree
mcnt looking to Il partial consolidation
of the Bell people and the Anderson
Company was on foot. Active efforts
were made by both in the last two
weeks to have the Council adopt Ordi-
nances presented by them. Twice
they were before the Council. The
first time they were turned down and
q committee of two from the Council
was appointed to confer with them.
The second time they were turned
down, and one other member of the
Council added to the committee with
instructions to try to agree upon an
ordinance the Council could consider.
proved service were made, and rs
better service was "the object OF the
meeting,' Council continued to give
them hearings. The committee re-
p"irrI ready for business last Friday
al meeting Of Council was called
! : Friday afternoon. Those present
i, Mayor G. +. Tolly, Aldermen F..
q. Brown, C.. ID. Sullivan, H. e. Town
send, II. f. Ligon. City Attorney J. *.
Hood, Geo. w. Evans, president An
ilerson Telephone Company. Mr..
", representative Of the Bell people,
and j. l.. Tribble, Esq, attorney for
the two companies. The ordinance
agreed upon by the committee from
Council and the phone people asked
for franchise for the Anderson Tele-
phone Company, covering period of
seven years and fixing the rates to be
charged as follows: Phones, each, on
duplex system, (meaning several
phones, not exceeding six, on one wire)
$15; residence. local service only, S1S;
residence, local and long distance, S24;
commercial, local only, &3G; CONNER
cial, local and long distance, $40. Sub
scribers to local service and non sub
scribers to pay charge OF 10 cents for
long distance service.
The old franchise fixed the rate at
S15 for residence phones, SEQ for long
distance phones and provided that
charges for long distance messages
should no exceed charges made in 9th.
or cities. There was no limit.
The guarantees to the city in the
new franchise alo briefly: To out Of
town subscribers no greater charge
than in Anderson; to substitute within
six months for present system first
class full metallic system; latest im-
proved Bell phones aid switch board;
wires and materials used to be such rs
now required by the very latest speci-
tications of the Southern Bell Tele-
phone and Telegraph Company; SER
RI hn nfH 20
a1A the Anderson Company to furnish
C6incil with copy of specifications Of
phones, switch boards, wires, Materials,
&C., to be- put in by the Bell people.
Other guarantees are the same as un-
de7 old franchise.
When the motion for adoption was
made anu the subject was opened for
discussion it was plainly evident that
the Aldermen present were a unit for
its adoption. Not ore of them appear
cd to care to discuss anything save
minor details in completing the ordi-
nance. 1t was also plainly evident
that Mayor Tolly was opposed to the
adoption of the ordinance and, after
waiting reasonable time for remarks,
lie arose, apparently l6G0ring under
some excitement and in vigorous terms
entered his protest. He took the posi-
b. tion first, that, in as much as the term
: Of the present Council will expire in
about three weeks, they should not
pass on so important matter; it had
the appearance of too much hurry and
no harm could result from the short
--delay which would put it in the hands
of the new Council Second, that
seven -eighths Of the people were op-
posed to any change that would force
higher rates upon them. Third, that
the present franchise was 3. solemn
contract made for ten years between
the people and the telephone company,
and he was opposed to annulling it,
Some of his remarks were slightly per-
oil md vokt,