The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-11

Luther Keller and Joseph oliver at
last nights meeting of the common
council made an unsuccessful attempt
TO amend the ordinance giving the
Central Pennsylvania Telephone and
Supply company permission to con-
struct underground conducts or over
head appliances for carrying their
wires.
Mr.. Keller proposed to attach an
amendment to the effect that "as soon
as practicable, after the conduits are
constructed, the overhead wires on the
thoroughfares Travelled by such con-
duits shall be put under ground.
Mr.. divers amendment was to fol-
low the clause providing that 1000 feet
of conduit should be constructed with
in one year after the company ac-
cepted the franchise, and it further
stipulated that 600 feet of conduit be
constructed each succeeding year there
after and all wires placed therein
until all overhead wires within the
city are underground" These attempts
at amendment were defeated. The vote
was:
For the amendments-Messrs. Reese.
Walker, Moir, Wenzel, Jackson. oliver
and Kellcr-7.
Against the observation-disclosures Cor
don, Grier, Thomas, Regan, Gilroy, Flan-
Afghan, Wirth, Sweeney, Nealis, Zeidler,
Noone, Sheridan, Norton-13.
The ordinance came over from select
council, through which it had squeez-
ed after a hard battle, and on motion
of Mr., Noone was referred to the ju-
dietary committee with instructions
to report forthwith" Messrs. Reese,
Moir, Jackson, oliver and Keller OPP
posed the forthwith" part of the
resolution, but as everybody else fa-
vored it the motion passed. The COM
mittee retired for a few minutes and
then came out with favorable report.
The ordinance was then passed on first
and second readings by the vote above
noted.
REMARKS OF MEMBERS.
After the futile attempts at amend
ment on second reading, Mr.. oliver
arose and said: "If this company was
in earnest and meant what it says, its
supporters would not oppose these mild
resolutions asked for the benefit of the
public. I do not think they are sim
cere; but simply want a double fran
chise."
Mr.. Moir said: "As the ordinance
now stands the company Is not re-
quired to place a single foot of wire
underground. 1t seems to me they
merely want this new franchise to keep
out competition. If the company was
acting in good faith and its ordinance
betokened that it was, its agent would
not have to come around to see me OF
Mr.. Keller or Mr.. Somebody else"
Mr.. Keller-"I am heartily in favor
of putting all wires underground. Let
| that be understood. If the company
| intends to put it's wires underground
1 can't see how 1t can reasonably OBJ
| ject to these amendments. 1t looks tc
| me as If there was a niger on the
| fence somewhere"
| Mr.. Gilroy-"The amendments are
merely for the purpose of obstruction
Mr.. Keller-"You are mistaken, sir
| You are talking bosh"
| Mr.. Gilroy-"I'm right. Delay is the
only purpose they have in mind. 1
| the ordinance is amended with thes,
unnecessary and superfiuous additions
it will be delayed six or eight weeks
| There are thousands of men out of EN-
| ployment and they would be all tn
|
work which the building of the con
duits will give them"
Mr.. Oliver-"This argument is yer.
frail. When the company's agent cam
to me and spoke of amendments sucl
as were presented tonight he also saiC
they were superfluous. 1t is better. a
told him. to have an ordinance tina
would be superfuous in some of it
conditions than to have one that woul,
be ineffective"