The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-15
A TELEPHONE PETITION.
Citizens Cooperative Company Be-
fore Board of Works.


Jacob L. BieIer, president of the Citizens
Cooperative Telephone Company. yester-
day submitted a written petition to the
Board of Public Works for modification
of it's contract with the city made in 1856,
under which it is now claiming the right to
operate a telephone exchange in this city.
The assertion is made that the company
tried to carry out its contract in good faith,
but was prohibited from so doing by in
fringement suits. 1t is asserted that a con-
tract for an exchange has been made with
the Automatic Telephone Exchange Com
pany, of Washington, and that no fears
need be entertained of litigation over ques-
tionable patents.
Several notifications to the franchise
which the company now claims to hold are
asked The first is for modification CIV
ing the company the right to occupy the
streets for telephone system, subject to
official supervision, providing, however
that the city shall not impose more bur-
densome conditions than those fixed for
the company now operating within it's lin
its, or others which may hereafter be given
privileges" The petition continues:
Your petitioner respectfully calls atten-
ton to the fact that the prime object of its
stockholders has been, and still is, to fur
nish the very highest quality of service at
the lowest possible price at which it can be
done, consistent with a reasonable profit,
and that after the most thorough consid-
GRAFTON of the entire subject, from pure
ly business standpoint. it has reached the
conclusion that the public of Indianapolis
can, and should, be given the highest grade
of service at a rate of not to exceed thirty
six dollars $3.50 year for each instrument
for offices or business places, and not to
exceed twenty-four dollars ($2f a year for
residences within reasonable geographical
&c W n for.
into an agreement to this effect.
Another modification asked is one where
by wires of the company may be placed
underground, not within the mie-square
limit only, but also for an additional half
mile in each direction, or in an area of two
square miles when deemed desirable by il
(the company"
The petition concludes:
Your petitioner further consents that it's
contract shall, or may, provide that it will
furnish to, and maintain for, the city or its
exceed thirty telephones free of charge, and
that 1t Will pay into the general fund of the
city OF indianapolis, annually per cent
OF its gross receipts derived from the rental
of instruments within the city; or that in
lieu OF these things, it will pay such rea-
sonable sum as may be agreed lIpon taking.
into account that the large benefits of the
service proposed is given to the people di-
rect in reduction of rental rates of nearly
90 per cent. of those now exacted from it's
citizens.
Your petitioner further represents that.
wherever applicable, if desired by the city,
IT will accept and incorporate into any mod
ihed contract such other conditions as were
imposed upon the company now operating
within the city of Indianapolis
Your petitioner further represents that
upon the execution of a contract embody-
ing the subject of this petition, it is ready
to execute and deliver to the satisfaction
of this board a bond conditioned uDon the
faithful performance of the terms OF its
agreement, and would request that in any
such agreement maximum limit of time
for the completion of its system shall be
fixed at one year.
Ali the documents with reference to the
companys petition were sent to City Attor-
ney Kern for him TO investigate whether
the company has any rights existing under
the franchise of 1885, before any steps will
be taken toward its modification.