The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-23

US to put up q guarantee bond Of SO
600 and $500 in cash All Of which con-
ditions we would be pleased to comply
with. and could not complain Of the
terms made But we feel that under
the circumstances. having offered to-
give a first class service to the city Of
Topeka at price greatly reduced from
anything heretofore enjoyed by the city,
that We are not asking too much IN
asking the council TO eliminate from the
ordinance SO much Of section 10 as
provides for q regulation Of our prices
as herein indicated
Should your honorable body see fit
to meet Us on this proposition, We will
be pleased 10 pay for additional cost
the amendment to your ordinance"
Councilman Blossom moved to recon
slider the franchise ordinance, but Mayor
Drew decided that it could not be done,
because it was already in effect Coun-
Gilman NetteIs then hastily prepared
a new ordinance, giving the Phoenix
charges for the first nine years of its
existence, or while the franchise of the
old company is in existence, if they
do not go above the maximum rates
fixed After nine years, when there will
be no competition between the two COM
panfes, the city reserves the right to
regulate the charges
Win the new ordinance came up for
passage CounciImen Warner and Mer-
gan spoke in opposition to it. Mr.. War
ner moved to refer the ordinance to q
committee. and Mr.. Blossom moved as
a substitute that it be considered at
once. The substitute carried by a vote
of to 6. Blossom Belts. Elliott. NetteIs.
Burgess and Hughes voting for ii, and
Morgan, Benson Clancy, Warner and
ROundtree against it
As it would take seven votes to pass
the ordinance It began to look as though
it would not get through. when s J.
Bear, who represents the Phoenix COM
pany, said
This franchise is not for sale, as has
been intimated here We could not sell
it if We wanted to The other company
is given all the advantage possible, and
in addition we are compelled to pay a
special tax into the city, but we are
willing to pay it The only thing the
St Louis parties did not like about
the franchise was that part which gave
the city power to put them still more
a a disadvantage while the old COM
pauy is in existence The opposition
which we have had to meet in this cOuu-
ell has come from the influence of the
Bel company which We have had to
fight all the way through
When the roll was called Mr.. Clancy
explained his vote as follows. This
is the first time I was ever accused of
working for the Bell company and I
want it understood that favor neither
the Bell nor any other company. 1 be-
Heve this franchise was right in the
first place and I vote no"
Councilman Warner said IF the gen
tlemau referred to me when he spoke
OF the Bell company influence, L want
TO say that I am not owned by the
Bell company nor by anyone else. There
is something behind this matter that We
don't understand In a short time they
will come in here and want something
else changed Nine years Is a long
time for Us to grant franchise without
having any control Of it This company
is undoubtedly figuring on getting con
troll Of the entire telephone business in
Topeka in the next three or four years
and If they do our hands will be tied
I vote no.
Councilman Roundtree-I really think
passed il first but I don't want to block
IT, so I viii give in and vote yes
This gave the ordinance the necessary
seven votes. Those voting for it were