The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-07-15

A dog catcher has not vet been en-
pioyed. He susgS sted that the mem
bers of the police force be required to
wear a uniform hat when on duty.
This suggestion was referred to the
police committee with power to act.
Mr.. X. F. Haynsworth stated that
the special committee appointed to
Investigate the telephone situation
and make a report on the request Of
the Sumter Telephone Company for
permission to increase the rate for
residence telephones had not pre-
pared a report and In fact was not
prepared to do SO. He and other
members Of the special committee
were under the impression that Mr.
T. b. Fraser had, on a former occa-
sion. rendered an opinion that II
would be inadvisable to modify the
telephone ordinance In any particular.
inasmuch as q modification of the
ordinance In one section would rem
der the whole ordinance Of no effect.
This impression had been found to
be entirely erroneous, Mr.. Fraser
stating In q letter to Mr.. Wright that
he had rendered no such opinion,
and that the granting Of the petition
Of the Telephone Company would not
vitiate the ordinance. This being the
case council could do nothing but
grant the request OF the company.
provided the subscribers for tele-
phones petition council to grant the
company the right to increase the
rates for residence telephones.
A lengthy discussion followed in
which al members present pa ticipat-
ed. Mr.. Ligon In the course Of his
remarks. stated that In the event the
right to increase the rate for resi-
dence telephones IL granted the COM
pany will probably voluntarily re.
duce the rate on business telephones
to % . month. He also referred to
the greatly improved and largely ex-
tended service the company IL now
giving its subscribers and at no higher
rate than when the system was less
than half ~ large and the service
much inferior. He thought the re-
quest OF the company reasonable and
that Il should be granted. He also
called attention to the fact that the
patrons Of the company are receiv-
ing free service In connection with
Bishopville. Manning. summerton and
other nearby towns having telephone
exchanges. when a. . matter Of fact
the Sumter Telephone Company could,
were Il % minded. make charge for
every message sent through one Of
these out Of town exchanges. This
statement was challenged and the as
sertion was made that the Sumter Tel
sphone Company 10 prohibited by the
ordinance from making any charge
for service within radius Of 2s miles.
The fact d. however. that Mr.. Lgon
vas right In his original contention.
as IN examination OF the telephone
ordnance will prove. The company
cannot charge subscribers Of the Sum-
ter exchange who live within Is miles
Of the city any greater rental than
10 charged residents Of the city. but
there 10 not . word In the ordinance
to prevent Q charge being made for
every message transmitted through
the Manning. Bishopville Or any 9th.
er exchange with which the local ex-
change connects.
Mr.. Wright moved that the Sumter
Telephone Company be granted per-
mission to increase the rate for res
idence telephones to 81 per month,
provided q majority Of subscribers
agree.
Mr.. H. G. Haynsworth opposed this
motion vigorously. He was unwill-
Ing to agree to the change In rates un.
less majority OF the users Of residence
telephones agree to the increase.
Lengthy discussion followed.
The matter was disposed of for the
time by the adoption Of a motion
made by Mr.. r. F. Haynsworth that
the Sumter Telephone Company be
requested to put its proposition in
writing for the consideration Of coun-
Gil.
The report Of the Board Of Health
on the sewerage system was received
and read as Information. as were the
accompanying communications from
Sewerage Engineer w. w. Lyon.
After discussion Of the sewerage
tangle In several Of its phases, the
whole issue was remanded back where
holn0ua-tn ha ha-A-