The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-06-26
JUDGE DALE ON TH{ VETO
what He Thinks Of Berkey's Position on
the Telephone Franchise.

A reporter for the Leader requested d
Judge Dale to give his views with ref
erence to the veto message of Mayor
Berkey relative to the telephone ordi-
nance, and in reply thereto he said;
1--WE are frequently asked what we
think of the mayors veto of the tele-
phone ordinance and the reasons ad-
vanced in support thereof, and are
glad to avail ourselves of an opportun-
ity to give to the public our views.
The first and principal objectic n
which appears in the veto message is
based uron the ground that our fran
chise means a double system of tele-
| phones. This objection is not we'll
taken, as nearly all the pa irons of the
ours, with the exception of five or six
all we were able to see and present
with our list, signed with us for the
| phones, and each of those not signing
| stated that when we put our pant in
operation they would patronize us.
Our subscription list is open for in
spection and will verify this state
mtnt. This being true the granting
of franchise would simply mean the
substitution OF cheaper and better
system for the one now in operation.
1t is true that in large cities where
the Bell company has been in opera
tion for some, an independent system
means dual telephones for q time, but
this result fol ows because the indie
pendent company is not aOle in the
first instance TO substitute new for all
the old phones in use, and in all cases
where new plant is put into orera-
tion, which offers better and cheaper
service, it rapidly supercedes the old,
and in a short time the more eXpens-
i've and poorer service is driven out.
Here by reason of the fact that
practically all the persons now using
would, If given an opportunity, take
onrs, there would be no reason for
keeping both plants running, Our in
formation from other cities which
have granted franchises to indepen-
dent companies is to the effect that the
independent companies are we'll sus-
tained by the public and that they re-
suit in great saving of expense to
those using phones.
The present franchise has thirteen
years yet to run in this city. They
now have about one hundred aud fifty
su bscribers. Other cities with popula-
tions equal to that of Guthrie use from
400 to 500 phones, where they are
placed at the prices we propose to fur
nish them. We estimate that at our
prices, Guthrie would use at least 300
phones, and that there is a nece sity
here for that numb ber. At the rates
we propose to furnish them, we would
save on an average over the present
cost seventy-tive cents per month, on
each phone, or S2,7O0 a year. In the
thirteen years which the present fran
chise has yet to run, the ordinance
which the mayor has vetoed would
save the citizens of Guthrie a sum of
money amounting to s35, 100. More
money than it cost us to get both our
new railroads; as much money as it
will cost to officially sewer the bust
ness districts Of this city; as much as
it will cost to get an independent line
of railway to build into Guthrie, or
nearly enough to put up wing Of a
capitol building. Ana as we increase
population, the saving would be corr
respondingly greater.
1t is also stated in the veto message
that the iucorporators are largely nom
residents. This is incorrect. The
records show that they are McNeal,
Bierer, Mcclure, Noble and myself
all of whom, excepting Noble, are
residents of Guthrie. The fact. how
ever, that most Of us reside here is not
urged as a reason why the franchise
/ should be granted, as we are asking
no favoTs on that account, but are
urging our right to franchise wholly
upon ITS merits.
Telephones have in modern busin ess
| life become necessity. Their value
| depends largely upon the mum Der of
persons who use them, and improved
; and cheaper service not only results in
saving of money to the individual
su bscri Der, but because of cheap
| phone many more persons are enabled
TO take them, thereby giving to each
subscriber much more for his money
in the way Of telephone connection
than he can get from the present com
pany.
Mr.. Mcdaniel, the agent for the
present company, in his argument 10
the council in opposition to our pro-
posed ordinance, distinctly stated that
they were making no money In fur
nishing phones at the prices they were
getting, and be offered no encourage
ment whatever for cheaper rates under
their system; and il now remains for
the council to say whether the citizens
of Guthrie may, during the coming l5