The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-10-22
GIVEN A FRANCHISE
Frank 7. Brown May Build
Another Telephone System.
HAD LONG DISCUSSION
Ofthe Propositions Presented
by the Company.

The city council granted franchise to
Frank T. Brown to construct and main
tain a telephone and conduit system in
this city The life of the franchise is
twenty years. The franchise states the
maximum rate 10 be charged and several
Of the councilmen voted for it for this
reason. There was considerable discus
sion during the meeting about the diff
ferent propositions Of the companies,
but the ordinance was adopted practi-
cally as read at the meeting TWO weeks
ago.
The ordinances were presented at the
last meeting and referred TO the COM
mittee on franchise and license and they
We're returned last night. An ordinance
had been prepared with some slight
amendments Mr.. Burton moved that the
Brown franchise be taken Up first The
motion prevailed and the reading of the
ordinance began.
Mr.. Burton moved that this ordinance
be placed on its passage by sections.
Mr.. c. w. McDaniels, OF the Missouri
and Kansas Telephone company, was
granted permission to speak to the cOun-
ell He had petition signed by a num-
Der Of jobbers of Wichita demonstrating
against the two telephone systems.
Mr. Frank T. Brown, OF the second
company. asked permission 20 speak, and
stated that they wished TO build their
conduits large enough that the other
companies could use them. This would
be n great benefit to the city and also
TO the company as it would allow the
company some returns and then the
streets and alleys would not be torn up
wanted 10 put its wires under ground. |
The company agreed to accept the ordi- !
nance within six months after its pas
sage, but not until Mr.. Brown and his
associates had procured 500 written con-
tracts for phones. This is TO prevent u
dual telephone system and unless 600 peO-
pie want the phones, there VIII not be
two systems.
An amendment was also offered. which /
stated that a bond of good and sufficient /
security in the sum Of $4,000 that the |
system should be built at an early date |
ana on The best principals.
An amendment was also offered stat /
ing that per cent OF the gross re /
ceipts at over S25 100 should be given TO 1
the city. Mr.. Brown objected to this. /
He stated as his reasons that his was |
q new company and their receipts were /
not yet assured and therefore they could /
not afford it.
Mr. Isely held out for the division and /
showed that in the east and also in other
countries the company divided their
profits.
Mr. Brown absolutely refused to &C
cept the amendment and Mr.. Burton
moved to strike the amendment out.
The Missouri and Kansas Telephone
company presented its petition with over
fifty signers who did not want the two
systems.
Mr. Luling moved the adoption OF the
ordinance as read. 1t was carried with
out a dissenting vote
Al the council meeting last night T F.
Burton. OF fire and water committee !
reported that in the judgment of Fire
Marshal Walden, the city should give
better fire protection TO the wholesale /
district in the east part Of the city lie
asked Tor cisterns located at the follow
ing places At the intersection or VII
liam street ana the alley between Ire
mont street and Santa Fe avenue and
one on Rock Island avenue seventy-dve
feet north Of the Hockaday Hardware
companys building. These cistcrns
should have a capacity o. 100 barrels
each and have connection with the citys
water mains through three-inch pipe
This would enable the fire department
to use the steamer and short lines of
hose could give fire protection for the
wholesale districts.
Mr.. Davidson, of the public improve
ment committee. moved that the clerk
advertise for bids for all unfinished Gin
der walks The motion prevailed.
Mr.. Davidson also moved that the city
attorney prepare an ordinance opening
Ninth street from AIurdCck TO Cleveland
avenue. This would be a great couven-
ience to the people in that end of the
city and petition was presented some
tine ago asking FOR the opening of the
street The motion prevailed
MI SChell, of the franchise license
aornmitte. reported that his committee
were not ready to report on the fran
chise for the new telephone companies.
Mr. Iulinc was in favor of taking M
the franchises at the present time. AR.
Davidson was of the same mind and Mr.
Brakeman asked that an amended fran
chise be read Two members of the COM
mittee met in the city attorneys Office
and proposed some amendments ~ tho
oricinal franchise. 1r. Iuling moved
that the telephone ordinances be taken
up under the proper head The motion
prevailed.
The Weir City & Western Coal com
panv viii erect a three story brick
building on North Water street and
asked permission TO move their present
OFFICES ont into the street until the new
building was completed. The petition was
granted.
A petition was presented asking that
the alley between Ellis and Fannie ave-
nue. be vacated from Gilbert street north.
SOC feet The petition was referred TO the
public Improvement committee.
4 petition vas also presented stating
that Cleveland avenue in Aliens and
Tnford's addition was ffty feet wide I
on the center Of the street and but thirty
feet wide on the west side and they
asked that ten feet be vacated on the I
east side Of the street, The petition was
referred 10 the public improvement com
mittee.
A petition was presented asking for a q