The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-15
AGAINST TWO PHONES
Council Defers Action on
Franchise Request.
VISITS TO OTHER CITIES
Proves That Double System
Is Unsatisfactory.

The city council last night put quietus
on the proposition to infiict two telephone
systems upon the business interests OF
Wichita, the Franchise committee hav-
ing deferred definite action until the
mayor and council could formulate plans
10 wisely receive propositions for fran
chises. The committee had visited st.
oseph, No, Fort Scott. Ottawa and other
towns where two systems are maintained,
and the tenor of the report plainly indi-
Gates that they are feminist a double sys-
TEN owing to the dissatisfaction Of having
to maintain both phones, which, even If
cheaper service IS obtained. makes the
price virtually the same 1t is almost evi-
dent that IL is the intention Of the coun-
eli to give a franchise to but one COM
pany, and that competition will be open
for the company Offering the best SER
vice at the chez pest rates in the future.
The franchise of the Bell company ex-
pires next March and under the provi-
sions OF the ordinance the city must give
six months notice of expiration. The
sentiment Of Wichita business men is de-
cidedly against a double system, for the
reason that in one instance alone it is
absolutely unnecessary and expensive
The following is the report presented by
the committee:
Wichita, Kan, May II, 1900.
We. your committee 10 whom was re-
ferred the ordinance granting a franch-
Use to another telephone company, would
respectfully report that we have visited
other cities, where there are two tele-
phone exchanges in operation, and find
the situation as follows:
At. St. Joseph No, and Leavenworth,
Kan, we interviewed the banks and
large number of leading business houses,
also drug stores and some small dealers,
and found il the universal opinion that
the double system was a nuisance IN
every respect.
At St. Joseph we found that the Mis-
souri, and Kansas Telephone company
had not reduced their rates, and that the
people were paying the additional rate
charged by the Citizens Telephone com
pany, nearly doubling the cost Of tele-
phone service TO them.
We met former citizens Of Wichita, who
were very positive in their disapproval
of the dual system.
At Leavenworth we found the utmost
dissatisfaction with the dual system, and
the people were paying for both teIe-
phones. A banker, the former president
of the new company, advised US against
the dual system.
At Ottawa we found that the Independ-
ent Telephone company had the largest
list OF subscribers, but there was no
saving in the cost Of service Local people
operate the exchange and they take pride
in supporting them, but they keep the
Missouri and Kansas telephone on ac-
count of the toll line business.
At FIT. Scott we found the exchange
operated by a mutual company and that
the rate to stockholders was 81 per
month. which would account for the large
list of subscribers they have The situa-
ton here was about the same as at OF
tawa.
Taken as a whole, We found that the
services Of the Missouri and Kansas
Telephone company was considered the
best. We have considered, the matter
carefully, wholly from a business stand
point. and can not see where the city Of
Wichita will be benefited by granting a
franchise for another telephone exchange
at this time. and we would recommend
that the granting of franchise be de-
ferred until the mayor and council would
have time 20 formulate a plan of sub
hitting 10 all telephone companies deslr-
ing 10 put ia an exchange in our city to
make proposition in accordance with q
franchise as viii be set forth by the city.
W. f. SCHELL, Chairman.
H H. DEWEY,
J. A. DAVIDSON,
Committee
Mayor Ross presided at the meeting
and all members were present except Dav-
idson. After approving the minutes
Mayor Ross called for the report from
standing committees.
Parkhurst of franchise and license com
mttee reported that the committee had
audited the accounts of the street rail-
way company regarding certain improve
ments made and found that the receipts
Rggregatiug Sl0eQ00 had been expended in
rebuilding. All of the requirements hav-
ing been complied with the $1,000 for
fixture placed with the city was returned
The report was accepted.
chairman SCueI OF me ITaQC0lSe com
mittee was called upon for report and
as Il included The proposition to put in
an independent telephone plant it was
the all absorbing topic. The report found
above was read.
After reading the report Chairman
Scheu recommended its adoption. and it
was carried. He also presented a remon-
STRANGE from 201 citizens against the
double system.
Relating to the application by the Pos
tai Telegraph company for a franchise
20 use the lines of the Wichita Messenger
company the committee presented an ad-
verse report and il was accepted. The
council believes the two messenger COM
panies now existing here is amply suffi-
cient
\ lady representing the Humane society
was present and gained recognition Of the
chair. IN a short speech She asked the
council 70 pass an ordinance providing for
tn. appointment Of police rnatron
Mayor Ross reply was that al The fe-
mae urlS aners were kept in the county
Jail AMI 1vere oa, Of the city's 5urisdic-
ton. Va action was taken.
a petition signed By sixty residents r..
auesuus an extension o. Bailey stree
YOU CAN'T FARE