Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-12-20
The Regulation OF Telephone Charges
Creates Much Discussion, Par
ticipated in by Many.
The Limits Of the Corporation Fixed at Six
Miles Square-Ihs Iuties OF City
Treasurer.
The Offices of City Judge, City Marsha
and, City Engineer Made Appointive
Instead of Elective.

Mayor Smith was in the chair, all the
aldermen except Mr.. Furman were IN
their chairs, and City Attorney Powell
was on hand to advise and suggest.
The amendments as prepared by the
city attorney, were read and passed over
without objection until Section 50, regu-
lating the use OF streets by corporations
WAS arrived at. The amendment pro-
vides that the city have the power
to regulate the use of the streets by teie-
phone, telegraph, street railway and
similar corporations, n should also
have power to regulate the charges By
said companies. This was opposed
strongly. Capt. Clements thought hat
the telephone company, against whom
this section seemed specially directed ,
having heavy fixed charges were not
charging too much. and there was no
necessity for restrictions upon them.
Mr.. Armstrong thought the whole sec
ton should be eliminated. There is no
complaint of overcharge by the tele-
phone company, and until there was
such complaint there WAS no necessity
for legislation. The town might be leg
islated out of existence. We must not
advertise ourselves as opposed to these
co~uveniences IN the city. We cannot
afford to do that.
Mr.. Mes thought that though there
was no necessity at present for the
authority asked for in the amendment,
yet the necessity might arise at any time.
II was not desired DOW TO regulate the
charges of any corporation. The queS-
ton is whether It is good policy to insert
such a clause in the charter. The
speaker thought not.
Mr.. Jones said that rs the same clause
might be asked of n future legislation he
would oppose it for the present.
MIR. Martin said the amend ment pro-
posed to fix the charges OF street rail-
way telephone, telegraph, gas, electric
light or water companies that use the
city streets for their service. lie did not
see how the telephone charges could be
reduced. Yet he thought the council
should have power to reduce the charge
for any other service. He thought the
council should have the power withou:
any idea of oppression TO Rny company.
He moved that the word telephone COM
pany be stricken cut.
Mr.. Armstrong moved amendment
that the whole section be stricken out.
Mr.. Clements said competition would
regulate all the difficulties now COM
planned of. 1t has been complained that
the gas company. which OWES the cleo
trio light plant, puts such a price on the
electric light that the citizens have to
use gas exclusively. That might be
true, but the only way to regulate this
WAS by Ompetition. As the city grows
other companies will come in and prices
Will go down.
Co. n-- g.
advice. lie said the city should have
the power to regulate placing of wires
and poles III the streets. Otherwise,
under the present arrangement these
corporations can do as they like. MIR.
Powell also thought the city had the
specific power to place II maximum on
charges, winch would invite COMPETE
ton rather than drive It away. The
telephone company could now put &
price of SO on its service and the city
could have no redress.
Superintendent Foster of the Fort
Worth telephone service stated that he
would be sorry to see the council ask the
legislature for power TO FIX Il maximum
charge on the telephone service. The
telephone company could not charge SIS
because their custom would be dropped.
The had done everything in
Fort Worth to deserve the patronage of
the citizens.
Mr.. Jackson said that the threat was
always made when anybody wanted a
franchise or privilege from the city that
10 refuse would drive away capital. This
was a scarecrow. While the superin-
tendent states that the company has no
intention of raising charges. yet i can
state that the city council has 20 inter-
teution TO cut down the present charges
OF the company.
His honor, Mayor Smith, said he could
not see the evil desired to be remedied by
the amendment under discussion. A
maximum rate was established for the
gas company, but no such restriction was
necessary in that case. A maximum
rate OF 10 cents is fixed in the charter of
the street railway companies, yet they
never charge more han 5 cents. There
is no need to clamOr for power there.
The Federal courts will interfere when
we attempt to do up the telephone COM
pany. There is no complaint about that
company. l doubt the owe of the
legislature to grant us authority to cut
down the tariff of companies whose
franchise has already been granted. 1t
would be a useless authority.
MIR. Martin moved hat tho section be
referred to City Attorney Powell to draft
such an amendment rs would cover his
ideas in the premises. Carried.
The amendment to section ., fixing the
city limits, provides that the city shat
extend three miles in each direction.
north, south, east and west from Hyde
park.
Mr.. Mes suggested that it be provided
in the charter that when the new terri
tory is taken into the city the inhabit-
ants shall vote in the city at the nearest
polling place. 1t was voted that this
should be arranged by the city attorney
and the special committee appointed to
redistrIct the wards of the city.
Section 8 is changed to make the city
recorder q city judge.
Amendment to Sc tion 6, officers, how
chosen. was made to make the city mar
shall, city engineer aud city judge ap-
pointiye by the council instead Of cleo
tive as heretofore.
MIR. jackson moved that the change be
out.
MIR. Mics moved to table, waving the
shut-off of debate.