The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1899-03-11

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that all of the rights and privileges grant
ed by the city to r. II. Evans shall cease
when the city buys the plant. The
amendment was adopted. Before its ac-
! ceptance, however. Alderman Cromwell
| raised the question Of the citys legal
right TO buy n telephone plant. TIe asked
whether a. telephone plant is Of sufficient
public Importance to permit the city TO
buy and operate one. City Attorney
Richards announced that that question
WOnld depend n great deal on the court
1t would be brought before, We're it
brought before a court. lie said that 50
years ago an electric light plant would
not have been thought of sufficient pub
lie Importance to permit a city to acquire
one, but things have changed in that re-
gard.
Section 8, providing for an annual state
ment from the telephone. company, was
amended on motion of Alderman Sang by
adding n clause providing that the telp-
phone company must make oath that the
statement is true and correct, and that
the charges for telephones are reasonable
and not in excess c. the general market
value of telephone service.
A number u other verbal amendments
were Offered. When section IS was
reached Alderman Cromwell offered an
amendment changing the length of Tina
for the franchise to run from % years to
as he has been spoken to by quite largo
number of people, asking why the franz
chise is to be given for e years. Mr.
Cromwell said that the fact that one of
the political parties favored a 10-year
franchise in its platform this spring
should give the matter prominence enough
to warrant discussion. Mr.. Cromwell said
that he does not want 1t understood that
he favors a 1O-year franchise, but he
wishes to have the matter discussed.
Alderman Neff said that he was elected
on the platform favoring a 1O-year fran
chise, but he favors the ordinance as it
was because he considers it a five-year
franchise, terminating whenever the city
feels like buying the plant.
The section providing for the time for
constructing and for beginning operas
tons was amended so that constructing
must begin before April 15 and the plant
must be in operation by May /.
Section II was amended so that the
company is required to have 100 tele-
phone connections with Superior by Jan.
!, 1900.
The committee then arose and reported
to the council, recommending that the
ordnance be adopted.
When the ordinance was put before the
house on motion to adopt, Alderman
Barnes Of the Seventh ward said:
II rather think that this is rushing
things some. I, as a new member, would
like to know more about what I am to
vote for. 1t has been said that it will be
Injurious to the city to have two COM
panies, and I am inclined to believe 1t
would. We may have to use two tele-
phones in our places of business. [ am
inclined to think that the old company
has not been given q full and fair chance
in this matter, and rather think thai
had 1t been given fair chance some
agreement might have been reached be-
TWEEN it and the city. But I do not care
to set myself up as superior in wisdom,
and will vote for the franchise, hoping
that the things I fear may not come !
about"
ward, said:
II have looked into the matter as close. !
|y as the limited time given me would !
permit, and have talked to the officers of |
he present telephone company and with !
others. I am surprised to learn the I'M
willingness of the old company TO deal |
with the city, and, having learned that |
lnwill1ngness, I felt that the only thing |
20 do was to prepare as carefully as pos
slble a telephone ordinance and grant a
prepared franchise. I therefore |
will vote for this ordinance, believing it |
he best thing to do. If the people did |
not desire the passage of this ordinance
hey would manifest their disapproval in
manner that would be known by us all
md would cause us to hesitate"
Alderman Cromwell spoke in favor Of
he ordinance. He said that he fought
or delay while the old council existed
because he believed the old council would
lot make changes as good as were made
~ the new in the ordinance, for the rea-
ION that the old council was the parent OF
he ordinance, and was fathered py it.
The ordinance was adopted by a vote
If Is to 0. Alderman Trevlllion was no4
present.
President Crassweller then announced
he appointment of the following commit
ees for the ensuing year:
Auditing and finance-Aldermen Krum-
leg, Cromwell and Barnes.
Bridges and Observation-Disclosures Schaf-
er, Swenson and Krumsieg.
City property, buildings and markets.
Aldermen Watterworth, Carey and Neff.
Claims-Aldermen Sang, Watterworth
md Nelson.
Drains, sewers and parks-Aldermen
Griffin, Sang and carey.
Fire department - Aldermen Wing, |
'chaffer and Cromwell.
Harbors and docks-Aldermen Trevil-
ion, Nelson and Griffin.
Light and water-Aldermen Crowley,
and Cullum.
Ordinances and observation-disclosures
Barnes, Neff and Watte-=orth.
Police and llcense-Aldermen Neff, Wing
nd Sang.
Officers and Observation-Disclosures Gull
UNI, Barnes and Crowley.
Purchasing and supplies-Aldermen Nell
on, Trevillion and Wing.
Railroads-Aldermen Swenson, Griffin
nd Trevillion.
Streets alleys and Observation-Disclosures