The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-19
NOW FOR CHEAP PHONES
FRANCHISE OF NEW TELEPHONE
COMPANY RATIFIED BY COUNCIL.
1t Was Passed at L O'Clock This Morn
ing, with Little Opposition
Work Begins at once.

By vote Of eighteen to two at ! o'clock
this morning the Council ratified the con-
tract with the New Telephone Company
made by the Board Of Works some days
ago. Those opposing the ordinance on its
final passage were Councilmen Golfer and
Rauch. Those voting for cheaper telephones
were Councilmen Allen Bowser and Shaffer,
Republicans, and Councilmen Bernauer,
Clark, Costello, Harston, Higgins, Knight,
Little, Madden, Merrick, Moffett, McGrew,
Scanlon, Smith, Won Spreckelsen and Pres
ident Mahoney. In explanation of his vote
Mr.. Golfer said that while he was in favor
of cheaper telephones and while he be-
lieved the franchise in question was the
best that could be secured now, he believed
conditions might change in ten years and
he thought the Council ought to guard the
future interests of the city by providing
that rates might be regulated to meet future
conditions. Mr.. Rauch had nothing to say
in explanation of his vote. Mr.. Smith, who
favored an amendment Monday night pro-
viding for uniform rates, explained that he
represented a constituency entirely beyond
the two-mile limit who would thus be de-
prived of getting as low rates as those
down town. He denied that the papers were
fair in CHASING him as an obstructionist.
He was applauded when he said II vote
aye"
Under the ordinance as passed the New
Telephone Company is to charge $24 year
for residence and $40 a year for business
phones within two miles of the soldiers
monument There is to be an additional
charge of $3.50 q, year for each additional
quarter mile. The franchise is to run TWEEN
ty-five years. The company must deposit
$1,000 cash within five days in addition to
$4,000 already on deposit to guarantee good
faith and that it's plant will be in complete
working operation within one year from last
night. Representatives Of the company who
were present last night said that work
would begin at once. Quarters for an ex-
change have been offered the company in
the Thorpe block Commercial Club building
Stevenson building, Hendricks block and
number of others. No decision has been
reached as to the location of the exchange.
With Ii will ne located the office of the New
Long Distance Company that is to put up
lines connecting with all the Independent
exchanges in the State as soon as 1t can be
accomplished, placing all towns of any size
in telephonic communication with this city.
There was scarcely any hitch in the pro-
ceedings last night. The ordinance was in
troduced at the first of two meetings held,
the latter one at 1905 a m 1t was neces-
sary to have q second meeting as an ordl-
nance cannot be passed without unanimous
consent unless it lies over to another meet
ing When the Council, convened at 1905
this morning the committee on contracts
and franchises was still busy making re-
port. A recess was taken. When the COM
mittee fled into the Council chamber a
report was handed up recommending the
passage of the ordinance, 1t was signed by
Messrs. Won Spreckelsen, Costello, knight,
Scanlon, Madden, Little and Shaffer. Chair
man Golfer and Mr.. Rauch did not sign it,
neither did they Introduce minority re-
port. An hour was consumed in reading
the ordinance. 1t was passed on the vote
given above. Mr.. Harston moved recon
sideration. Mr.. Higgins moved to table his
motion. This was by prearrangement to
clinch the passage of the ordinance. The
motion to table carried unanimously.
When the Council adjourned the members
whose cars had stopped running were driven
home in hacks furnished by the telephone
company, which had taken the members to
see the wrestling match in the interval be-
tween meetings and had otherwise enter
tanned them.
Before adjournment President Mahoney
arose to explain on behalf of Mr.. Shaffer,
who had been criticised for leaving the
Council meeting Monday night at a critical
moment. that he had given him permission
to absent himself on urgent business. 81,