The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-12-18
It WAS NOT GRANTED
Telephone Franchise Goes
Over to Next Meeting.
CITY PLUMBING INSPECTOR
Ordinance Passes and Fred S.
Dennis Is Selected,

Action IN the matter Of granting a
franchise to the Missouri and Kansas
Telephone company, after some discus-
sion at the session Of the city council
last night was deferred until the next
regular meeting Of the council The mat
ter had been given to a committee for
Investigation and report. The following
communication addressed to the mayor
and city council was the result:
Your committee TO whom was refer
red an ordinance relating to the wires.
poles and business Of the Missouri and
Kansas Telephone company, its success
sors and assigns, and the placing Of tel
ephone wires under ground. respectfully
report that We have had said ordinance
under consideration and that said tele-
phone company have submitted to US an
amended ordnance on the same subject
which is attached to this report.
I'VE have carefully considered both the
original ordinance submitted to US and
the amended ordinance proposed by said
company and respectfully recommend
that said ordinance be not passed for the
following reasons:
mo pTdvisiOn is made in said ordin-
ance for the reasonable regulation Of the
business Of said company 10y the mayor
and council Of the city in the future.
'2.-That said ordinance provides that
the --ity Of Wichita shall waive all right
70 levy and collect a license Of occupa-
ton tax upon the property and business
Of said company during the life of said
franchise.
'3.-No provision Is made in said ordin-
ance for fixing a minimum rate to be
charged TO subscribers for the use Of
telephones, which we consider necessary
to protect our citizens against possible
eXtoruons.
Z.-Said ordinance provides that the
franchise shall be for period Of twenty
years from the date Of its acceptance,
which we consider 10 be too long a per-
iod, unless provision IS made in the
franchise for the termination of the
same sooner, If desired. by the purchase
Or condemnation Of the telephone system
by the city
$40 provision IS made for a uniform
charge to citizens for telephone service
within the corporate limits of the city.
"e.-The FORGETTING clause in said ordin-
ance proposes that it shall be necessary
10 have a decree of court before the
city could forfeit said franchise for fail
ure on the part Of the company to com
ply with its terms.
In our Judgment the foregoing provis-
tons render the proposed ordinance IN
satisfactory. We therefore recommend
that the same be rejected"
Councilman Luling contended that as
the meeting was fin the nature Of an adj
1curned session from the last regular
meeting no action could be taken on the
franchise and the vote of the other
members showed that his opinion pre-
vailed.
One Of the most important ordinances
passed last night was relative to the es-
Enlistment Of the office Of city plumb
ing inspector. The term Of office is for
two years and the mayor has the ap-
pointing power. The salary attached to
the office IS 500 per year, which is to be
paid from funds received from licenses
and other sources.
Upon the passage Of the ordinance
Mayor Ross appointed Fred s. Dennis to
che Office Mr.. Dennis IS practical
plumber and was the choice Of the mem
bers Of his craft.
Another ordinance Of interest to the
plumbers was one compelling any one
engaging in any line Of plumbing to pro-
cure a $50 license for each six mouths or
fraction.
The name Of Jersey avenue was
changed to Rutan avenue.
Member Burton introduced a motion
Iva -+L
members of the council to the effect that
the chief Of police be authorized to dis
pose of all goods forfeited by the pris-
oners which have not been reclaimed
within six months.
Council accepte6 a compounds tax OF
SSi.S6 on two vacant lots at Harry and
Fourth avenue. Similar action was tax
en- on two lots on Fourth avenue in the
second block south of Harry street and
flat tax Of $lL75 accepted.
The city engineer was instructed 10
place catch basins in the Third ward
near the new sewer recently constructed !
The city bridge at Twelfth and Wash
ington streets was ordered repaired.
The alley between William street and
Douglas avenue at the intersection Of
Water street was ordered raised.
The city attorney was ordered 10 draft
an ordinance prvidtng for the opening OF
First street east of Hydraulic, and for
the construction of a bridge over CHS
holm creek at this point
Council resolved to grant the prayers
of petitioners requesting that a bridge be
constructed over Chisholm creek at Lin
coin street, provided the county pay. one
half of the cost of construction.
Council passed q resolution 20 open
Pattie avenue between Morris and Indi-
annapolis streets. ]. NJ Huntsberger was
allowed $50 for whatever damages ne
might receive in the construction Of the
street through his propert1-