The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-02

chairman of the committee, asked If tie
Mississippi Valley company people would
like to be heard on the proposition and
w. c. Craig, one of the representatives of
that company, responded. Mr.. Craig said
there was no question as to the adj
vantages of long distance phones. Ills
company, however, could not see why 1t
was necessary to grant a local franchise
to the long distance company. To his
company 1t locked like club with which
to in1ure some one. In few months
the company he represented would be in
a. position to furnish long distance
phones. 1t was a matter of general
knowledge among those interested in
telephone companies that the alliance be-
tween the American Telephone and Tele-
graph company and tho Bell Telephone
company was very close and the same
capital practically controlled both COM
panies. In his opinion the granting OF
the franchise to the new company would
give the Northwestern company local
franchise.
Mr. McKibbin warmed up and express
ed the opinion that there was no need
to consider the row between two tele-
phone companies. The jobbing business
done out of ST. Paul last year was about
$165, 600 The business men cared moth
ing about the Mississippi Valley COM
pany or any other company. Telephones
were necessary InOnOpOlleS, anu IL 1t was
not possible to get long distance tele-
phones without giving another local fran
chise then another local franchise should
be given at once. The representative Of
the Mississippi Valley company had stat
ed that in a few months the company
could have long distance phones. This
would give competition and prevent high
rates being charged.
Mr.. Albrecht thought the main point
hei iQh Of In
sion. He questioned If the council should
jeopardize the rights of thousands of
local telephone subscribers in order to ac-
commodate the few who would use the
long distance phones. For years the
citizens had been suffering from exhorbi-
tant rates charged by the Northwestern
company, which was closely identified
with the company which was now seek
ing long distance and local franchise.
Now the council was asked to grant
local franchise
WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTIONS.
The Mississippi Valley company had
had been a miximum rate fixed, and there
should be in the ordinance which was
now being asked for.
Mr.. Tighe thought If the object was to
protect the Mississippi Valley company,
why then the ordinance might just as we'll
say so.
MI. Albrecht retorted with the state
ment that the Mississippi Valley COM
pany with a capital Of $500, 900 could not
complete with company with $50, 900 900.
He favored maximum rate being placed
in the ordinance, not for the long distance
charges, but in case the new company
should deem 1t advisable to open a local
exchange. In Chicago just recently Mayor
Harrison had vetoed a franchise for a
telephone company because there was no
company had very gladly accepted an
other franchise which fixed a maximum
rate.
Mr.. Tighe Mr.. McKibbin and Mr.. Peet
could not see any chance for high rates
If there were to be three telephone COM
panies doing business In the city.
The objection, Mr.. Tighe said, to fixing
a maximum rate was that in every other
city where application was made for
franchise the rates would have to be the
same, no matter what the local conditions
WERE He advanced the opinion that the
matter Of rates could and would be reg
ulated by legislative action within a short
time.
Mr. AIbrecht did not agree with the
legislative action in the reduction Of
rates. He spoke from experience, as at
the last session Of the Minnesota legis-
lature he had attempted to secure the
passage of something along this line,
but the lobby put up by the local tele-
phone company made 1t impossible to do
anything.
An adjournment was taken to Thurs
day afternoon at o'clock, when the
ordinance will be again considered. -