The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-05


THE TELEPHONE SERVICE.
An order was introduced that in considera-
ton of certain privileges heretofore granted to
the New England Telephone Company, that
the company be requested to furnish ana maiR-
tain, free of charge, all needed telephone in
struments and facilities to the city.
Alderman Melcher called for information in
regard to the order.
The Mayor explained that last spring an or
der was passed requesting the company to
furnish these privileges, but the company took
no notice of the request. a short time ago he
had instructed the clerk to write to the man
ager of the company requesting an answer,
giving their views. The answer he read to the
board. The substance of it was that the COM
pany felt they were furnishing all the free in
strnments they could afford to for the privileges
received at the hands of the city, and were al
ready doing more than companies in other
cities were doing
Alderman Melcher asked how the order was
to be enforced if it was passed. If these privi-
leges we're demanded of the telephone compa-
ny the same could be demanded of the tele-
graph and electric light companies. The Yves
tern Union have 81 poles in this city, the cleo
trio light companies 80 and the telephone COM
pany 70. Therefore he could not see why free
service should not be demanded of all If it was
to be from the telephone company.
1t was decided to refe to joint
committee and Aldermen Winglow and Takes
bury were appointed on the part of the board.
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL.
A. Al, =
on judicial proceedings and claims be author
lied to employ associate counsel if deemed nee
essary in the case of Connolly VS.. City of Port
land, brought by Fl. D. Hadlock as attorney,
for damages alleged to be caused by the cav
ing in of the sewer on Adams street
Alderman Hawkes. asked for the opinion of
the city solicitor in the matter and wished to
know if assistance was necessary in the case.
The mayor would not allow the solicitor to
be heard until vote was passed by the board
requesting that he be heard in the matter.
City Solicitor Looney stated the case was
favorable to the city and he thought as the
matter stood he was able to take care of it.
But he did not object to the order having q
passage. The order was passed but the vote
was doubted by Alderman Hawkes..
When the yeas and nays were called Alder
man Emery stated that he did not understand
Mr.. Looney's remarks in the matter and asked
that they might be repeated that he might vote
understandiDgly.
The mayor refused to allow the remarks to
be repeated and Mr. Emery asked to be excus-
cd from voting.
Excuse was granted and the vote stood tie
which was thrown off by the mayor who de
cided it in favor of the yeas, giving the.order
passage.
The Joint standing committee on fire depart
ment to whom was referred the epetition of
n. S. Millett and others for an engine compa-
ny on Peaks Island reported as there was no
suitable building on the island and almost i'm
possible to land an engine on the island at this
season of the year, that the matter should be
referred to the next city government The re-
port was accepted and recommendation
adopted.
At the request Of the agent for the sale of the
patent ballot boxes it was voted to reconsider
the vote, and TO concur with the Common
Council in referring it to the next city gov
eminent.
A list Of officers of the various fire compa-
MES was presented for approval but the mayor
thought excepted didn't spell accepted
and the paper was sent back for correction.
On motion of Alderman Emery the new
ordinance on fire department and the new