The Crittenden record. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1904-1907, 1905-05-12
PEOPLES INDEPENDENT
TELEPHONE COMPANY
Secures Franchise Prepared Especially Fo,
Cumberland Company.
A LIVELY TILT At MEETING OF COUNCIL BOARD

Tuesday night at the regular sess-
ion Of the city council, the franchise
granting rights aud privileges for
building operating and maintaining
a telephone exchange system In Ma
rion was awarded to the Peoples In
dependent Telephone company as
the highest and best bidder.
This franchise had been prepared
At the Instance Of the Cumberland
Telephone company, who have been
before the council board on numer.
Gus occasions recently, at both called
aud regular sessions.
The franchise was sold Monday at
= public sale. The Cumberland Com
pauy's representative did not bid
higher than sl0O, aud after they
dropped out the bidding was between
the independent company and Mr..
Glenn ;. Num-. Mr.. Nunn's last bid
wss $3.50 aud the Independent COM
pany's tg75, At which price the award
was made aud ratified by the eoun-
ell.
At the meeting Tuesday night, all
the couucilmsn were present, with
Mayor Blue presiding The Cum
berlsnd compsuy's legal representa-
tive. Mr. Meyers, was also present,
aud made n rigorous Argument, at
tempting 20 show why the franchise
should be- awarded 10 his company
Notwithstanding the fact that their
bid wa. lowest, his principal reason
being that h,s company would Ia a
few years pay taxes considerably Ia
excess Of the regular purchase mop-
ey for franchises.
Anticipating tie vote, with Mayor
Blue presiding. Mr.. Meyer, by ad-
dressing leading questions 10 the
Mayor. caused him to commit him.
self A. being preiudiced against the
Cumberland company, aud theIe-
fore requested him 20 vacste the
chair Ia favor of Councilman Levi
Cook. The Mayor declined TO COM
ply 9Th this request, but stated that
he would vAcAte In favor Of Council
man X. r. Haynes, noting At the
same time that Mr.. Haynes had COM
mittsd himself as being In favor of
the Cumberland company receiving
ffadchise. After quite n lively tilt,
with both sides scoring heavily, the
vote was taken, on motion Of Couu-
Gilman Haynes, TO reject all bids ex.
cept that Of the Cumberland eompA-
ny At ,lOO, This motion was lost by
vote ot Ito I, Councilman Gopher
declining to vote on the question.
After considerable further discus.
sion, the vo,e was taken on motion
o, Councilman r. J, Naudell 60 rati.
~ sale ot franchise e. the lndcpend-
eut people, " $50 bid, which passed
by vote oi tol,
The Independent company has
been operating on permit secured
long time ago bit has never sscur.
ed = regular franchise fot operating
aud maintaining au exchange system
iu this city.
The franchise, A. granted, will fe.
quire the purchaser to furnish better
service 70 its city patrons than has
been given heretofore, but At the
same time will allow them 20 charge
more for the improved all metallic
service within the corporate limits,
With the improved service which
should now be required ot the tude,
pendent company, according % the
terms ot franchise privilege, the city
aud district IL To- a fair way 10 secure
the advantages which are absolutely
required by the growth aud develop
ment Of the mining aud mercantile
interests.
The Cumberland company imme-
dlAtely tiled application for q dupll.