Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-09
MAUP|N AND CHlPLEY
RIVAL TELEPHONE OFFICIALS Be
FORE ELECTRICITY COMMITTEE.
EXCHANGE OF COMPLIMENTS.
City Engineer Cutshav, Aroused by
MI. chfpscy, iExrresse. an EN-
pha.ic opinion-condemncd Grant
Ing Thirts-Ycar Franchise to tho
BcIl Company.
Bell Company.

The following prominent citizens were
present at the meeting of the Electrical
Committee last night to arrange for the
entertainment of the International Order
OF Municipal Electricians, which con-
yenes in Richmond in its annual session,
October 9th. eth, and Sth: Messrs. Robert
Leclly. Jr, r. Lee Traylor, James n.
Boyd. Henry Lee Valentine, l.. Il. Morris,
A. pizzini j., ]. b. True, j. w. Katz,
Hunt Chpley, E. w. Trafford, j. il
E,r;schkorn, Addison Maupin, L. r.
MYERS, Chief Fuller. and Henry Cabell.
A Collection Committee, OF which Mr..
James N Boyd, was made Chairman,
was appointed. and will meet Monday
night to consider plans for the entertain-
ment of the order, and to provide ways
and means, aside from the $500 appro-
priatc5 by the Council. A sub committee
will be appointed Monday TO solicit con-
sributions from citizens.
MIR MAUPIN'S REQUEST.
Mr. Addison Maupin, president of the
Richmond Telephone Company. appeared
before the committee to ask permission
TO string wires overhead between the new
and old exchanges. This matter was be-
fore the Police Court recently and the
company was fined $40 for strinsing wires
overhead in the underground section. Mr..
Naupin said that the wires were not an
extension of the system, but merely to
enable the company to get into its new
exchange and that the wires had pur-
posely taken through an alley between
Main and Cary streets, then up Seventh
street to avoid a more elaborate wiring
of Fourth street. The question was rails
ed whether or not the committee had the
authority TO grant this permission, and
Colonel CutShaw. city engineer. was call
ed upon for his opinion. Colonel CutShaw
said the committee had the right and
that, inasmuch as the ordinance relulr-
lng the company to get underground had
never been enforced by the Street Com
Glittee to whom the enforcement OF the
ordinance was left, the company had
right to make repairs to wires and poles
in the territory where Ile overhead sys-
tenn had been allowed. In his opinion,
the Electrical Committee could allow the
company to string wires between the
exchanges, "a permission for the erection
OF poles had been obtained from the
Street Committee Permission should be
granted with the understanding that'the
wires would be placed underground when
required by the Council.
MR. CHIPLEY NEXT.
Mr.. Chipley, of tie Southern Belle Telc
phone Company. was heard by the com
nrittec. and he recited the early telephone
Richmond Company had received many
favo-s and extensions from the Council
The city engineer replied to Mr.. Chiplcy
and said that he was not a defender OF
the Richmond Company. but has always
contended that the company should b.
underground within twelve months. Col.
onel Cutshaw said THAI III! of Richrnond's
telephone troubles had originated in the
defiance Of the city by the Southern Bell
nd
exclusive pole and conduit franchise was
given The Southern Bell. the city saddled
itself tor thirty years in an unhearG OF
manner.
MR.. POLLARD CAUTIOUS.
City Attorney Pollard was asked by Mr..
Thompson if il was within the province
Of the committee TO grant permission I'M
der the ordinances, for overhead wires i'll
the underground district. Mr.. Pollard
said he would rather not give his opinion
off-hand. and it was decided to refer the
matter to him. and call a meeting of the
committee for tonight. at o'clock.
Colonel Cutshaw answered affirmatively
the question of Mr. Beck. to whether
the Southern Bel Company had complied
with the provisions of its franchise.
In reply to some previous remark of Mr..
Maupin. Mr.. Chipley said it came with
had grace from the Richmond Telephone
Company TO complain Of the Southern
Bell Company. applying in any committee,
for the enforcement of the ordinances.
y SHARP EXCHANGE
This remark brought on quite q sharp
encounter between the representatives,
during which, Mr.. Maupir cited the case
Of the Owens-Grant Dental Company.
which had decided to replace the Rich
mond Company's service for that of the
Southern Bell Mr.. Naupin said that
the letter to the Bell Company, ordering
the change, had been used to influence
dentists TO change to the latter service in
order 10 enable them TO communicate
with the Dental Company. referred to.
Mr.. Chipley, in reply. stated that he be-
lieved such a letter had been received by
his company, and that he was perfectly
willing 10 assume responsibility. persC<-
ally and Officially, for the act of the Bell
Company.
Mr. e. w. Tranord. superintendent of
lights Of the Passenger and Power Com
pany, reported that $500. 600 worth of ma
cninery had been ordered, and would
have to be placed before his company
could get underground. He said that
although the company would make
good showing by the date specified March
t@.5 they would have to ask for some ex-
:elSion of time.