The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-15
Telephone Reforms in
His Hands.
UGLY BOASTS OF PAID AGENTS
SUPERVISORS EAGER FOR AN
OPINION.
They Will Stop the Wretched Service
of the Monopoly if Lane Assures
Them Of Their
Power.

Interest in what Is perhaps the most i'm
portant piece OF proposed municipal legls-
lafion has centered absolutely around city
Attorney Franklin *. Lane. Mr.. Lane
has now the opportunity OF gratifying
what he told thousands OF people was
his deepest wish. AS a pleader for votes
he asked 10 be tested in any affair that
affected the well being Of the city. The
test has come. Responsibility for the sue
cess or failure OF the proposed reforms IN
Tho wretched telephone service OF this
CITY rests with him and with him alone.
And IL must be said in all fairness that
Mr. Lane is not inclined TO accept the re-
sponsibility.
The authorized agents Of the telephone
monopoly are Boosting that they will pre-
vent the proposed reforms. and by meth
DDS peculiar TO themselves delay action
until the present Board OF Supervisors is
powerless TO act. These agents have sue
ceeded In placing the future course Of the
contemplated legislation IN the hands OF
City Attorney Lane. The justice OF the
proposed reforms is universally conceded.
Even the paid representatives Of the mo-
nopoly admit that the public has been
robbed. Ii is conceded that fairness Will
be insured by legislation to the multitude
OF the telephone company's patrons, and
that a great and perfectly just revenue
will accrue 10 the city.
The question OF Superyisorial power TO
make the reforms is the only one I'M
settled. The Supervisors declare them
selves ready TO adopt the ordinances IL
they are assured that they have that pow
er and they ask City Attorney Lane 10
answer the question which is OF sucn
public moment and which means such
material public benefit
The Supervisors want this answer In
time TO act upon II at their next meet
ing on Monday. They know that cor
rupt means are being used 10 defeat the
ordinances and they want no unneces-
sary delay in their own action. But Mr.
Lane says he does not know that he can
give an opinion on or before Monday. He
SAWS that the SuDervi Ors have not al
ways received his opinions with courtesy,
and carries with his assertion an infer
he is justified in trifiing with matters that
deeply concern the public.
His own words are best, and are as fol-
lows:
Il cannot say positively when ] shall
hand in my opinion on the ordinance
which provides FOR the enforcement OF a
collection OF a license for the nickel-in-
the-slot telephones. ] have been sick, and
as IL is a matter which will necessitate
much legal examination and study / do
not know whether or not j shall be ready
for the Supervisors when they meet on
Monday. They have not treated my
opinions with much courtesy In the past.
but ] shall give this my fullest attention
and study just the same
u the apathy Of the City Attorney is
not quickly dispelled the people OF San
Francisco viii lose a very material bene-
AT. the paid agents OF the telephone mon
Opoly viii have made good their offensive
boast and Mr.. Lane Will have upon him
self the consequences OF his unquestioned
responsibility.