The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-07-03

Messrs. Burke, Marsh ct al. for tele.
phone franchise. the draft of the ordin-
ance granting which. as prepared by the
city attorney, WAS referred to this board,
beg to report recommending that the
same be placed upon its passage.
Mr.. Strohm submitted the following
minority report:
have the honor to submit the follow
ing report upon the application of
Messrs. Marsh ct al. for telephone
franchise, and the granting of the fran
chiee, the draft of which has been re-
ported upon favorably by majority of
the board.
In the first place, the franchise calls
for coDduits from the piazl on the north
to Sixth street on the south, but specify
ing no easterly and westerly boundaries
for the district, and az the Plaza is only
300 feeG wide. under the terms OF this
franchise, it will grant them permission
to erect poles on Spring street. Broad
way and other streets, az they may de-
sire.
The franchise provides that $4,000
worth Of work must be done within the
first year after the granting of the fran
chise, but as there are no bonds to &C
company the franchise to guarantee the
performance of this condition, and as
the franchise is transferable, it leaves it
within the power of the grantee to con-
troll the matter without regard to the
winhes OF the city, and grants to them
valuable concessions without benefit to
thu city.
There ia, further, no financial backing
to the matter, and in place OF offering
the city certain amount of money for
: L., fr-r
gross receipts, aud there appears to me
to be no chance of the city ever obtain
ing one cent from the franchise, for as
their lawyer says, they cannot return
the franchise in six months if they can
not make success OF obtaining the nee
essary Subscribers.
do not wish to be understood as be.
ing opposed to the granting of fran
chise which will allow competition with
the present telephone company, under
proper restrictions and conditions, for I
believe that the city needs such compe-
tition, but as member OF this council
l cannot be a party to giving away
franchise, for which the city will receive
no return, simply in order that the
grantees may be possessed of a property
of value which they could sell to the
highest bidder. I, therefore, recon-
mend that the ordinance be filed.
The report of the majority of the mem.
bers OF the board of public works was
adopted, and the ordinance granting
the franchise was taken up and Mr..
Munson made an argument in favor OF
it ON the ground that it would be an adj
vantage to the city, rs it would receive
O percentage OF its gross receipts.
1t was o queation of receiving an in.
creasing income every year instead OF
selling valuable franchise for few
dollars paid down.
THE ORDINANCE PASSED.
The ordinance was then passed by a
vote OF s ayes to l no. The city assessor
reported that the assessment roll had
been finished, and that he had collected
s26. $40 ga on personal property tax. The
report was placed on file. With regard
to the petition for the improvement of
Norwood street, the city engineer was
directed to prepare an estimate OF cost.
and if in excess Of 81 per from, foot on
each aide, that an ordinance OF intention
be presented under the general street
law. Adopted.
CITY ATTORNEYS REPORT.
The report OF the city attorney wac
filed as follows:
In the matter OF Stephen II. Mott
against the city: This ia an action to
reform q deed given in 1868, for tract
of land known as the Mott tract, A
mistake was made in the description of
this tract W hon the land was originally
purchased from the city. and by reason
Of that error owners of single lots have
from time to time asked for quit claim
deeds, or have brought suits against the
city to quiet title. This action is brought
for the purpose of curing the title to the
whole tract by procuring decree OF the
court reforming the erroneous descrip-
| ton. The city has been adjudged to
have no interest in the property hypa
decree rendered in February. 1878, in
| the district court OF this county. 1
would advise. therefore, that the plaint-
| if be allowed to take a judgment as
prayed for, providing it be without cost
10 the city. Adopted.
AS directed by you I have prepared
and herewith present an ordinance for
the opening of Vignes street. Adopted.
/ have also drawn new ordinance for
the purpose of vacating rights OF way
for zanjas through a portion OF Adams
Street tract. excepting such as exist
along RESTRICTS. Adopted.
In order to correct O clerical mistake
in the ordinance passed fixing the Ii