The Portland daily press., 1895-07-09
CITY GOVERNM MENT.
Hearing Upon the New England TeIe-
phone and Telegraph Matter.

phone and Telegraph Matter.
spc1al meeting of the City Govern
ment was held yesterday afternoon to
hear the report of the committee appoint
ed to confer with the New England Tele-
phone company in regard to obtaining
some especial privileges in return for the
permission to lay subway in our streets.
All the members, except Alderman
| Smith, were present
| Alderman Peters, for the committee to
see if the city could not obtain some
compensation 4 from the New England
Telephone Co. for the use of streets in
laying their conduit, reported that they
were unable to obtain any concession, the
company claiming that the City of Port
land was now receiving as liberal treat
ment as was afforded to any other city,
and all that they could afford.
Alderman Thompson said the New
England Telegraph and Telephone Co.
came forward year ago with business
like proposition He. had then hoped some
company would come forward and offer
a conduit system, taking all the wires in
| the city off the poles. Since then he had
found to do this would be a serious un-
dertaking for all the wires used for differ
ent purposes cannot be placed in the same
conduit He then decided for his own
part. to accept the Enext best thing, and
when the New England Company came
forward with their proposition he voted
for it, and he saw no reason to change
his vote.
Alderman Randall said that when the
New England company asked for per-
mission to put their wires underground
in June no objections were made, and it
didn't seem right for the Board now to
reconsider their action and say they
didn't mean now what they said then.
He had never been very ardent friend of
the telephone company as was very well
known, and he would like Alderman
wanted free of cost, but this was a bust
ness matter, a contract that the city had
made with the telephone company, and he
believed in sticking to it.
| Alderman Little thought if the vote
was reconsidered the company might lay
claim to damages and have recourse to
the courts. On the strength of the per-
l---ssion granted by the city they have
employed a number of men, brought
material hither, opened the streets and
done'a large amount of work, and the
question might arise, if the city went
back on it's agreement, who is to spay all
| this expense. The introduction of the
electric.railway in kthe city streets will
increase the number of metallic circuits,
and the question arises where are the
wires to be placed. The city electrician
thinks the poles from Monument Square
to the city limits already loaded, ,,withwires
as far as they will bear the weight and
| he would ask if we can afford to put
any more above ground If not, then
| they must go underground, and with
the larger service, the city would have to
order them underground Therefore it
| would not be consistent to now prevent
| the company from putting the wires un-
derground and compelling them to put
them there at future date. He believed
|
| tion.
| Alderman Dam said he had been op-
posed to putting SO many wires above
ground for long time In the case of an
| ice storm, with wires so loaded at the
| top, there would be havoc that would
astound people He hoped to see the
contract with the telephone company
adhered to and the wires put under
ground.
| Alderman buddy said if he had been
present at the June meeting he should
have voted in favor of the sub way, but
he should have looked for some substan-
tial compensation from the company for
the valuable franchise before grant
| ing the permission. Now, however, the
consent had been given. and he could see
no reason for going back on the contract.
He hoped to see the day when every
wire would be placed under ground.
The sentiment of the board being SO
strong in favor of leaving the matter as
it was, no action was necessary and the
company will continue the construction
of the subway, while the city will receive
no more return from the company than
it already possesses.
This additional business was transact
ed:
Geo. W Gordon for license to keep "a
toboggan shute at Peaks Island. Grant
ed subject to the favorable report of the
city marshal.
Abraham 7. Sterling, to be victualler
at Peaks Island. Granted, subject to the
favorable report of the city marshal
Geo. L. Warren to erect shed at No.
"a Hancock street. Granted.
R S. n. Taylor and brother, to erect
dwelling at No. 30 Emery street. Grant
ed
j. L. Ward, inspector of buildings, re-
ported that he had examined building
No. 1877 Green street, and found it in I'M
fit condition, and would recommend that
the building be removed. 1t was moved