Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-03-08
LONG DISTANCE PHONE
ORDINANCE PREPARED AND WILL BE SUB
HIFlED TO COUNCIL
At its Next Regular Mssfng-Ohsr Matters Con-
sidsrsd by the Council COMMITTEES on
Ordinances.

anceS met lasb night lOT bn6 puiPOSS Va
considering the long-distance telephone
ordinance, and several other matters re-
ferred to it at the last meeting Of Coun-
ell. There was bare quorum present
when Chairman Dobbins raped for
order.
The telephone ordinance was first
taken up for consideration. The ordin-
ance was somewhat different from the
one originally presented, in that it en-
bodied a number of changes made at
the suggestion Of the City solicitor. The
ordinance specified the route desired by
the company, which is as follows:
entering on National Road, to Market
street or Alley G, TO Alley Z, thence
over the Steel Bridge 10 Ohio street,
along Ohio street to Wabash street, to
Erie street to Alley O, to Indiana street,
and thence across the Steel Bridge, the
company to use alleys instead OF streets
wherever practicable. Upon motion OF
Mr. Keny the words "MarKet street"
were stricken out, the company being
thereby restricted to Alley c In the
North End. Mr.. Guy R. c. Allen, who
appeared for the company, stated that
it was the intention to make an ar
rangement with the present telephone
! company TO use its poles on Market
street. An amendment was adopted
granting the company the privilege to
use any poles now on Market street,
provided satisfactory arrangements can
be made with the owners.
Other sections provided that all poles
shall be erected under the supervision
and direction of the Board of Public
| Works; that a ten pole cross arm shall
! be placed on the poles for the free use
OF the city; that Company shall be sub
! ject to all city ordinances; that the
Company shall indemnify the city for
any damage to person or property
which the city may become liable for
because of said injury; that the Com
pany shall file a bond OF SIS, 900 condi-
toned upon its faithful compliance
with the terms Of the ordinance.
Mr.. Richards offered an amendment
to provide that the Company shall not
charge a greateramount proportionate-
" to persons In this city than is charged
at any station or Office along It's line.
Mr.. Cole, representative Of the Com
pany, did not think the provision fair
or legal.
"Mr. Cole, what is the principal OBJ
lection TO the CLAMP" asked Mr.. Rich
ards.
"Its tendency toward allowing the
city TO regulate our own business"
Mr.. Cole explained that there is a
vast difference in the conditions in DIFF
ferent cities. He did not know how the
Company would feel about it; no had
never been asked to insert such a
clause. A great deal Of the time was
wasted in discussion. Mr.. Cole made
the point that there might arise rate
war between rival lines 10 other cititIes,
and it would be manifestly unfair to
base rates to be charged in Wheeling,
upon those in force when rate war sx-
| listed. Several members suggested
clauses which were expected TO be sat
isfactory to both sides, but were
unsuccessful. Mr.. Richards amend
ment was first put to vote,
and lost. Col. White then
prepared a clause providing that the
company agrees not TO discriminate
against the citizens OF Wheeling, or any
persons doing business with the COM
pany here, in the matter Of charges.
Mr.. Richards offered another amend
ment providing that the company agrees
to have It's line In operation In this city,
with connections with the principal
cities along its line, not later than eigh-
teen months from the date Of passage OF
the ordinance. This amendment was
adopted, and the ordinance as a whole
referred TO Council with recommends
ton that it do pass.
Mr.. Williams, a representative or the
McAuleY-Peters Awning Company, APP
peared before the Committee and made
a statement with reference to the oper-
alton of the ordinance with relation TO
awnings, adopted at the last meeting OF
| Council. He read a section OF the ordi-
nance which grants authority to the
Board OF Public Works to grant permits
in special cases, where a compliancs
with It's provisions would be OF great
| Inconvenience TO business people. This
provision had been declared Illegal by
the Board. He also objected to the pro-
vision relating TO end pieces on
stationary frames, which he held
admitted Of more than one construction.
The ordinance was causing great deal
Of trouble. Many ceilings OF store
rooms were not over nine feet In height,
yet the ordinance required awning
frames to be nine feet from the side
walk. He was required to secure a
permit every time he put up an awning
and had been in several instances IN
successful.
The City Solicitor stated that the
ordinance was prepared in conformity
with the wishes OF the Board OF Public
Works. He advised Mr.. Williams to
have another ordinance submitted to
Council. Mr.. Williams made it plain
that the present law works great
| hardship upon merchants. The mem
bers of the Committee al! appeared to
! be 10 sympathy with the objections to
the ordinance. but were 10 the dark as
TO the proper method to afford relief.
Mr.. Richards finally offered resolu-
ton, to be reported to Council, to inter-
pref the ordinance for the benefit Of the
Board Of Public Works.
The ordinance relating to the grades
OF sidewalks was taken up. As origin
ally prepared, It provided for a grade
OF one-fourth inch 70 the foot.
| When the matter came up
| 10 the Second Branch, sew
eral practical brlcklayers expressed
the opinion that the grade should be
one-half inch TO the foot. The ordinance
was then referred back to the Commit
tee. The existing ordinance provides
for z grade q one-half inch, and an
amendment 70 that effect was attached