The San Francisco call., 1899-12-12
CITY SHOULD OWN
TELEPHONE SERVICE
THE CENTRAL IMPROVEMENT
CLUBS DENUNCIATION
Mayor Phelan Advocates Cultivation
of the Beautiful in San Fran
cisco.

The ranks of the Western Addition I'm
provement Club were recruited by repre-
sentatives of thirty other city civic and
Improvement organizations, when Chair
man y. B. Greenfelder called the special
missionary" meeting to order in Frank
lin Hall. Fillmore and Bush, last evening.
The united clubs met under the title Of
the Central Club OF Civic Improvement
Organizations, and the first business
transacted by IL was TO pass on resolu-
tions opposing the methods of imposition
and extortion practiced by the City Tele-
phone Company. The main points In the
present system attacked were as follows:
Whereas, The telephone rates as charged in
the city and county OF San Francisco are more
than a reasonable rental for the money in
vested or the service given by the said tele-
phone company and the extra charge Of
cents for each and every switch is out
rageous extortion and imposition: and whereas.
cents per switch is charged. said sum is
sufficient 10 cover expense OF service without
rental fee for telephone; and whereas the tele-
phone company being a corporation and enjoy
ing a monopoly OF public convenience. the
Rosrd OF SUPERVISORS should have the same
right TO regulate the rate OF charges as in the
matter OF gas. water, etc. and whereas. the
inaugurated, managed and used as SUCH should
belong TO and be operated by the municipality,
and electric light works: now. therefore. be II
Resolved. BY the Western Addition Improve
ment Club. that the Board OF Supervisors OF
the city and county OF San Francisco be and
hereby is petitioned TO take steps to reduce
the present exorbitant telephone rates, TO de-
wise means toward municipal ownership Of
this gigantic telephone monopoly. 10 permit not
more than one subscriber on one line. 10 COM
pei a fat rate OF rental no higher than present
rates with nckel-in-slot attachment. or allow
the nickel attachment without additional rem
tai for OF telephones.
The Central Club then nominated the
following committees TO forward the cleo
ton Of the new bond issue for the Park
Panhandle. sewers and schools:
Finnnce-M c. Hassett N. Bibo. L. A. Rea
" Schlessinger. J. McFalland. G. A. Rietz L.
waibel. Press-Eugene J. Sullivan. @. A. Vale.
Lille, w. J. Nixon. visiting-A Ruef d.
Hirshier. l.. II. Kohn. Charles Aiveigert Dr.
F. H Lord c. stader. J. Toohey II. d. Lemm
Election - J. Marks. J. Klemiert. John J.
Lynch. c. Fitzsimmons. B. J. Solomon. NJ L.
Taylor, J. Johnson. Literature-Judge NJ Coo
kins. E. n. Fritz. H. r. winkler and w. b.
Peel
Mayor Phelan delivered a brief address
on the desirability OF beautifying the city.
His Honor stated that while schools and
sewers are necessary they can wait. as
they can be acquired any time. but every
days delay In acquiring the Park axten-
sion means an ultimate great expense to
the city.
depression has been the constant outgoing
you viii get back our suburban residents
and gain Eastern immigrants"
Other speakers were: Wallace Wise,
Rolla V. Watt. Judge Walter Levy. DR.
L. d. Salfeld and d. V. Kelly, who all
called on those of the audience having the
citys good at heart to vote for the new
bond issue on the 27th of December.