The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-10-13
THAT TELEPHONE ORDER.
The Council Thinks the City Should
DO Its Talking Free.

The Common Council held q special meet
ing at TAO last night. President Strout In the
chair. Mr.. Randall was elected clerk pro
tempore. Messrs. Cousens, Munroe, Nc
Gowan and Prince were absent.
On motion Of Mr.. McAleny, the ordinance
relating to placing telephone wires under
ground was taken from the table.
Mr.. Rounds prese ented a report from the
committee appointed to investigate the ad-
visibility of passing the ordinance. The
committee visited Boston and viewed similar
work there. With the underground sys item
no less poles would be required, only less
wires on each pole. The officials OF Boston
who were interviewed on the subject, ad-
vised against the passage Of the ordinance,
as 1t was drawn. They thought it should be
so drawn as to require the companies using
the streets to make explicit specifications as
to the amount Of street to be dug up, the
time 1t should be open. etc. IL should be ar
ranged so that when streets are so dug up
they should be replaced by the street com
missioner. the work to be paid for by the
company digging up the streets. In cOnclu-
sion. the committee advised that IL the ordl-
nance be passed to require the telephone
company TO furnish free telephones for the
use OF the city. The report was adopted.
Mr.. j. ID. Stanford, superintendent Of the
telephone company, was called upon for any
remarks ne might wish to make Mr.. Stan
ford thought that as the conduits were to be
used by all wire-stringing corporations 1t
was unjust to require the telephone Company
to give their services free.
Mr.. Westw0Od asked for information as to
whether the Council was In 1t or not, as sug-
gested by morning paper: The chair ex-
regard to the matter, giving the Impression
that the Council was not In 1t In regar to
the New England Telephone and Telegraph
Company.
Mr.. Butler moved the indefinite postpone
ment Of the whole matters
Mr.. Josselyn thought that the recommen-
datlon in regard to free telephones should be
attended to, and the opinion Of the Council
to that effect expressed In some proper form.
There was a general discussion as to what
that proper form was. all members and sever
al outsiders taking part.
Mr.. Kehoe fiualiy Strengthened the whole
matter out. explaining that the company felt
safer In proceeding under an ordinance than
under the permit of the aldermen. as provid-
ed by the special law. When they called for
the ordinance they a.. asked ior the lol9t action
reason the Council wds In 1t. Mr.. Ke-
hoe reported interviews with several city Of
ficials Of Boston In regard to the matter of
putting the wires under ground.
Mr.. Rounds presented an amendment
changing the. words "any company" to the
New England Telephone and Telegraph
Company.
Mr.. Kehoe thought the amendment a good
thing.
Mr.. McAleny thought the ordinance should
be passed as 1t was. He thought 1t had beer
carefully drawn and covered all necessary
points.
Mr.. Rounds's amendment was lost.
MT. JosSelyn presented an amendment Sc.
curing to the city free telephone service
which was unanimously passed. The ordi
nance was then passed to be ordained.
A petition OF residents of Warren street
for light on that street was presented, and