The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-12-04
Case of Engineers
French and Wiggin.
Common Council Voted To Rein
state Them in Department.

AT session of the city government last
night the aldermen voted not to admit a
competing telephone company in Port
land In the common council Mr.. Con-
nellan introduced an order re.inststing
Engineers French and Wiggin Of the fire
department who were recently discharged
| oy the fire committee. This order passed
the common council by vote OF fifteen
| to eleven, but was laid on the table In
| the board of aldermen The meeting last
| night was largely attended and some In
teresting things were done
THE TELEPHONE QUESTION.
This interesting subject was first
preached by Alderman DriscuIl during
the regular routine of business. just as
ne had begun to read a lengthy order
granting right for IS years to the Eas-
| 5ern Telephone Co. he was shut oil by
Alderman Moulton who requested that
the order be delayed until after the con-
current business had hesn disposed Of.
The suggestion of Alderman Moulton
was followed.
Then when all was ready Alderman
DrisoolI took up the thread and read the
order CAREFULLY drawn and containing the
| legal phrases that right be granted to
tie Eastern Telephone Co. The order
stipulated that at the expiration OF the
tern of 20 years the company shall move
all OF its poles aud leave the streets In q
condition satisfactory to the com mission.
Q e. OF public works. IL this Is not done
| oy tue company 1t shall tie done by the
city at the exrense OF the company. All
work shall Re done subject TO the exist
ing ordinances and poles shall he placed
only in those streets as the city may de-
ermine The rates shall not exceed ga
\ year for a residence, So year for an
ctfi.e, CT So year for both otfice and
re sideace The city shall have tins free
right of 40 telephones. The comps ny
must have at last $50 subscribers. The
company shall egree to furnish to Other
companies use OF eonduits provided the
companies bear the ex penss which shall
5e fixed by thres persons, one selected by
tae Eastern Telephone Co., second by
the other company and the third by thess
two repr essntatives.
Alderman DriscolI moved passage
of the order. Alderman Moulton desired
to say q word In explanation. Regarding
the much talked OF caucusss he would
say that the board was Obliged to take
time TO consider these questions, That
no member OF the beard is pledged tc
vote for any company nor any or them
bound by any caucus.
.sThis is a matter for a good deal Of
serious thought" said Alderman Moui
ton. ~ think / have considered 1t al
carefully as / could and 1t is lay delib
crate Judgment that it would not Fay fol
the city to allow the Introduction OF {
new company in the field"
Then the motion Of Alderman Driscoll
was seconded as Alderman Brown askee
IL the motion had been seconded.
Next Alderman Brown moved thI
question bs laid ON the table. This wa
lost only Aldermen Brown and Inoma
voting in the affirmative.
Then on the vote being taken ON thu
order OF A herman Driscoll a yea and
nay vote was had. Alderman Gerrish
johnson, Moore, Brown. Thomas, Moul
ton and Frye voted In the negative, Al
dsrman Drisooll being the champion oil
the Eastern.
Alderman Brown presented an ordsl
favoring the Dirtgo company. 1t was
identical with the stipulations laid dowr
for the Eastern and the board though
it was not necessary to again read thi
lengthy document. On the vote bsinl
taken the order failed Of a passage by on.
vote. Aldermen johnson, Brown, Thorn
as and Frye voting for the Dirigo.
|