The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-21
CONTEMPT OF LAWMAKERS,
1t Annoys Some of the Chamber of
Commerce Folk.

Some opposition to the creation of the Of
fee of state fire marshal developed at the
chamber of commerce meeting yesterday
Peter Berkey quoted President Bigelow, OF
the st. Paul Fire G. Marine as opposed TO it,
and Gen. Bishop thought the companies
should be able to protect themselves e. H.
Morphy was piqued at the little respect
shown by LEGISLATORS for chamber of COM
merce recommended ions.
some or the provisions OF the III wc:e
again read and it was found that the state
fire marshal could. under the bill. enter a
mans home at will, when he considered
there was occasion and could hold star
chamber sessions for investigation.
Gen. Sanborn moved that tie general pro-
position, the creation Of a fire marshal. be
approved. with the reservation that the bill
needed changing in many details, especially
in these bestowing authority on the marshal.
A rising vote was taken with II yeas and
10 nays, and the generals motion was there
fore carried.
Maj Espy. of the special committee, ap-
POINTED to report on the subject Of the tele-
phone companies and lines. made report
He quoted a letter from Ambrose Tighe,
counsel for the American Telegraph and Tele-
phone company, pointing out that the council,
provided that the company should never
charge for compen saton rate above the
lowest rates charged by any local company
also that should the company establish 8
local telephone service the city council Eh III d
be at liberty to impose such terms as they
think best: also, that the company should
never discriminate against the people of ST
Paul in Its charges for long distance tee
phone service. The report recommends that
the word highest be inserted in place OF
the word lowest fixing a maximum in
stead Of minimum rate which would make
that provision acceptable to the company.
Since the company does not operate local
exchanges the provision concerning a Local
establishment might be stricken from the
franchise The committee is informed and
believes that these changes will be made by
the common council.
The report of the committee closes with
the following resolutions:
THAT we do hereby request the common
council to order an investigation to be made
to determine if the Miss ssippi Valley Tele-
rights and privileges, and to what extent addi-
tional legfsjation ought to be enacted to pro-
tect both the city's and compaay's rights.
That we recommend that the common coun-
Gil request the American Telegraph ard Tele-
phone company TO make known its objections
to the franchise offered by the city. and that
special efforts should be made to adjust pre- s.
ent differences. That we favor the passage
of law By the legislature declaring tele-
phone companies to be common carriers, and
to place them under the Jurisdiction of the
state railroad and warehouse commission"
The report and resolution were adopted.
Gen. Sanborn moved that a committee OF
three be appointed to work in harmony with
the legislative delegation, to wait on legis-
lative committees and see that bills of in
1erest to the city be not neglected.
Secretary Tal-madge was appointed chair
man of the committee. The other members
are Messrs. Durment and Chaplin.