The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-02-19
CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
The Belle Telephone Franchise Con-
sidered.


sidered.
City Council met at s o'clock p. H.,
Tuesday, Feb. 18th, pursuant to ad-
journment to consider the application
of the Southern Bell Telephone and
Telegraph Co., foi the right to erect
and operate telephone exchange in
Sumter. The entire council was pres
ent.
Mr.. Jno. R. Haynsworth, surveyor,
came with map of the city, prepared
under contract with the city, which
he asked be examined, approved and
payment ordered. On motion of Mr..
G. F. Epperson the map and contract
were referred to the special committee
in charge of the matter with power to
act.
Messrs. H. Hardy, Jr., and H. K.
Murphy were present: in. the interest
of the Southern Bell Telephone and
Telegraph Co. A letter was read from
S. G. Baker, President Sumter Tele-
phone Co., protesting against the
grant desired by the Southern, Bell
Telephone and Telegraph Go. on the
following grounds.
/. That s11s years: ago his company
received from the city an exclusive
grant for 10 years, which was supposed
to be valid, and without which citi-
zens would nos have risked money in
the enterprise.
2. That they have maintained a
reasonably. good service, and have in
vested their earningsin improving and
extending, their lines for the benefit of
subscribers.
8. That in compliance with demands
of council are installing the double
metallic system, thereby doubling
expnsees but not increasing the
income. This upon the understanding
that they would be protected by coun-
,cii.to the: end Of their term.
/. 4. That the company has incurred
debt Of 81, eco IN: making these i'm
provements, Tor, which the writer is
personally liable. as endorser.
5. That competition will lessen the.
income of his company and entail
financial loss without lessening rates
to citizens or giving inceased facil-
tiles. For these reasons DR.. Baker
asked council to uphold their rights
granted by a former council, and ac-
cepted in good faith, 8. and,so save me
and my associates, your FELLOW citi-
zens, from serious financial loss. %
Messrs. Hardy and Murphy discuss
ed the matter at length with council,
asserting that their company would
complete their system in ten months.
That rates would not be increased, un-
less upon urgent necessity. They call
ed attention to annulment by council
of the Sumter Telephone Co.'S.
franchise, and urged their right, and
the benefit to the community that they
come in
Mr.. Finn moved that the Boil Co.
be permitted to come in on such terms
as council may hereafter impose.
There was no second to this resolution.
Mr. Caandler moved, seconded by
Mr.. Hurst, that tie Bell Co.. be per
mitted to establish an exchange on
condition that they agree to give same
out of tom connections and charge no
higher rates than the Sumter Tele-
phoneCo- Mr.. Hardy declared that
his company would not accept the con-
ditions, and in reply to this Mr..
Purdy stated that he would not vote
to grant something which he was thus
advised would be refused. A vote was
then taken upon Mr.. Chandler's mo-
tion and resulted in it's defeat as fol-
lows:
Yeas: Chandler, Hurst. Nays: Boyle,
Epperson, ". II; Epperson, G. F;
Purdy, Rowland.
Mr.. Finn declined to vote at all be-
cause re does not believ in such
restrictions
Council then adjourned.