The Portland daily press., 1900-10-20
Mai. Thaxter Does Not Like the
Present Telephone Service.

and this time the meeting was for an
0 her special hearing on the petition of
the New England company for the laying
Of underground conduits on Washington
avenue between Cumberland and Gould
streets and on Forest avenue between
Kennebec and Lincoln streets. The meet
ing lasted almost an hour and 1t was far
more interesting than had been antici-
pated. The mayor took occasion to give
the members of the board some advice
which he deemed that they needed in
these important questions Of telephone
privileges. All Of the members were in
attendance except, Messrs. Gerrish and
Moulton.
just before the petition was taken up
companied it was one which followed in
detail that which had been drafted by the
city solicitor. Clerk Dyer replied that
the order was not in strict conformity
although practically the same. AT this
Alderman Thomas moved and the board
voted that all orders hereafter introduced
should be in accordance with an order
satisfactory to the city solicitor. The
mayor stated, that he hoped the board
would exercise due Judgment in these
matters. This had the effect Of placing a
new aspect on affairs and Alderman
Thomas moved and the board voted that
the petition of the New England company
should be referred to a subsequent meet
ing for action. Then the board, having
seemingly closed up this business,at once
started out to talk it over which
prompted the mayor to remark that it
was evident that the board had decided
to rather informally discuss the question
Alderman johnson thought that the
form in which this particular order OF
the New England company had been
drawn was not one which could be criti-
cized as the fault Of that corporation. He
said in this order the company had done
no more or less than Lad other petition
ers many times before. Alderman Brown
thought 1t strange that these things had
not been thought of before. Alderman
MiIliken offered a way out of the
difficulty and to avoid future dilemmas
by motioning that the order be referred
to the city solicitor so that it might be
introduced correctly This was voted.
Asa 2. Jacobs. one of the managers Of
the New England, was on hand and in
answer to some questions stated that
if work on these proposed conduits was
not gbegun this fall it would have to be
postponed until spring.
81 think that this is pretty small busi-
ness and that we should either accept or
refuse this petition tonight said Alder
man Johnson.
At this point the mayor said: 1.-TWO
companies are as king to come into the
city to compete with the New England
company You have under consideration
the question as to whether you win admit
one or both OF the companies, or none.
Until this is decided the petition of the
old company for additional conduits
should be tabled in order that il 1t be-
comes necessary to adopt different poll
cy relative to the use of our treets for
conduits you may be in position to
pursue such a course. With competing
company or companies, should you de-
eide in favor of their admission to the
city, a different course may become desir-
able with reference to the use OF the
streets for conduit privileges
But this did not have the desired
effect. First the board turned about and
voted to reconsider the vote of laying the
netition on the table.
81 now move that the petition be
granite d." said Alderman johnson. The
motion was carried and the announce
mentgwas followed by the mayor decIar-
ing, "And L wish to say to the board
that shall not sign the order.' Previ-
Gus to this the mayor had pointed out
that an order to be effective must be
signed by the mayor.
The next move was when several of the
members wanted a chance to explain
themselves. Alderman Brown was of
the opinion that action should soon be
taken on these telephone subjects. He
believed that it would be a good plan to
get together tonight and once more con
slider the question. Alderman Frye as
eentsd to this proposition but Alderman
Driscol did not want this evening
selected. 81 have to work Saturday
nights and cannot get away unless I
throw up my job And don't intend
to throw up my job for any telephone
company" he remarked, also suggesting
that Tuesday night would be all right
for him Alderman Thomas Tnoved that
the postponement be put off until Tues
day night.
"Do I understand that shall call
caucus for this?" asked the mayor.
''That is just it, replied Alderman
Thomas
Tuesday night was then fixed as the
time.
In connection with the much discussed
telephone subject Alderman Thomas read