Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-02-17
YoRkvILLE ,PHoNE SYSTEM.

The local telephone situation has
been under discussion for several days
past, but the action Of the council In
extending the franchise Of the Bed
ford Phone company for three years
from the date Of its expiration In April
1907 seems to settle the matter for the
present.
The question was brought up at this
time, we understand, as the result OF
the damage occasioned by the recent
freeze. The loss on account or the
breaking down Of poles and the tang
ling and breaking Of wires was consid-
erable, amounting to not less than
$1,000 and probably great deal more.
Mr.. w. B. Moore, who Is practically
the sole owner of the Bedford Tele-
phone company, did not care to incur
the expense of repairing the damage
for what he would be able to get out
Of the business during the remainder
of the life of his present franchise.
The whole matter was discussed IN
a general way at recent tnformai
meeting Of members Of the CONNER
cial club and the town council. Al
though very little was said that was
definite, there were suggestions that
the holdings Of the Bedford Phone
company be taken up by q new COM
pany to be organized for the purpose,
and at q price to be agreed upon, pro-
yided Of course the town council Would
grant to the proposed new company a
charter that would be satisfactory to the
stockholders. There was also sugges-
ton of the idea Of incorporating under
an agreement that would make each
subscriber to the system the owner
Of his own telephone and stocknold-
er in the company; but everything was
indefinite,
II is understood that II new COM
pany is organized, or the telephone
company passes into the hands Of
Joint stock company to be operated on
strictly business lines, the present
system will have to be replaced by a
new one, Wires that now run across
yards and lots, and insulators attached
to trees and houses, will have to be
replaced by lines following the streets
only, and supported by substantial
poles out Of the way Of shade trees
and at safe distance from the cleo
trio wires, etc, and all this will call
for money.
Speaking for members Of the town
council at the meeting In the clup
rooms, Mayor Lowry said that the
matter unQer cptlblubTdtlotl WhS q 'SAS
serious one. He recognized the ex-
istence of an emergency, and SO far
as he was concerned was ready TO
meet 1t so soon as he could do 30 In
telligeptly. However. he was unable
to see how the council could act until
| II had something before it-until II
knew what the proposed corporation
| would want and how the rights OF the
people would be affected,
At a meeting Of the town council
one night last week, Mr.. w. 3. Moore
asked for an exclusive franchise, "for
himself and others who might become
associated with him." to construct a
telephone system In the town Of York
willie, and to operate the same for a
period of twenty years,
The members Of the council discus
sed the application among themselves
but hesitated to grant the same
Among other things, there was sug-
gested q fear that the franchise, II
granted, might fall into the hands OF
foreign owners. who would have the
power to use their exclusive rights In
a manner inimical to the welfare oi
the community. Final action was
withheld; but In the meantime, tc
meet the exegencies Of the emergency
resolution was adopted extending the
present franchise Of the BEDFORD
Phone company, as stated above.