The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-01-12
SENATE DEBATES
OVER PHONES
Accepts Offers of Companies
After Discussion.
DAYS SESSION is BRIEF
BODY ADJoURNS AFTER TWEEN
TY MINUTES WORK.

Offers to supply the senate with free
Telephones furnished the ground for the
first debate of the session and constituted
the only business aside from the reading
of the journal yesterday. Communica-
tons from the managers of the Utah In
dependent and the Bell Telephone com
panies, offering to install free telephones
for the use of members during the ses-
sion, were read. The Bell company ex-
tended the free use of its toll lines
senator Bennion moved that the offers
be accepted with thanks Senator Law
renee opposed the motion, taking the no
slIion that il would be questionable pro-
priety for the senate to accent courtesies
rom any corporations that might be af-
1ected by legislation to come up in the
senate He said he did not know of any
proposed legislation that would affect the
corporations named and had no measures
IN contemplation himself. but believed the
senate should not accept the offers. He
asked for a roll call vote.
Senator Bamberger said it was little
early to begin Disbursements. vet he felt
y would not be wise to accept the offers
and agreed with Senator Lawrence.
johnson Wants the Phones.
Senator johnson favored acceptinE the
,phones. Similar courtesies had been ac-
cepted at former sessions. he said. and
been cast on any member a 5 a. result He
said he didn't believe his vote would be
ll3Iluenced by any consideration of that
Senator Bennion again spoke in support
OF ms motion He said he believed the
installation Of the phones might properly
ne viewed as a favor to the telephone
companies. as members could be more
easily reached If the phones were placed
in a senate committee room.
Is that the medium through which
they reach this body?' inquired Senator
Senator Bennion replied that he meant
II would be a convenience to the sub
sire to communicates with members
senator Mckay favored the phones,
4enience to the senators ana ToaId cont 0nt
be likely to influence anybody
Says No Bride Is Intended.
Senator Larsen also spoke for the
phones. which. he pointed out. would be
q great convenience to members who
81 don't believe they are offered by was,
of bribe," he said. nor would I ac-
extended to the senate
Senator Lawrence explained that he did
not wish to be understood as saying he
viewed the matter as an offer of brides,
but merely that he questioned the pro-
priety of accepting the offer. If any
member had occasion to use a toll line on
state business. he said, the state should
pay for it out OF the contingent fund, but
If a member used a toll line for his pri-
yate business. that member should pay
for the service
The motion was then put and carried
Ayes~Barber. Bennion. CalIistsr. Clegg.
Gardner. Hollingsworth. Johnson, Larsen
Lewis Mckay, Park, Rasband. Walton.
Williams.
Nsys-Bsmberger. Lawrence. Love.
Absent and not vOting-Loose.
Z NJ. Allison. jr.. and Abel john Evans
former presidents Of the senate, were
-SisitOrs and were warmly greeted by
some old friends Senator Barber of
Cache. ono of the three Democrats. made
his first appearance yesterday. Senator
Barber had been out Of the state and was
not able to reach the city I'm time for the
ca lier sessions.
Yesterdays session occupied twenty
minutes time. The senate meets today
al .. o'clock