New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-08
FRANCHISE FIGHT ON.
LOCAL ACTION TAKEN.
South Jersey municipalities Limit
COrpOrations' Privileges.

Camden, n. J. May (SpecaD.-Three Of the
smaller cities OF South Jersey furnishing evil
dence that the limited franchise agitation of last
winter is bearing fruit The governing bodies of
these municipalities show a strong disposition to
break away from corporate interests long enough
see what 1t may be possible TO get the benefit of
the people. In each case. It happens it is the tele
phone question. but in each he principle in
VolVed is that free franchises shall distributed,
and that some time in the near future franchises
Of public utility corporations shall be granted in
perpetuity.
1t is apparent. too, that the municipalities find
cause for regret IN the terms under which fran
chlses were granted and desire TO get back some
thlng In return. Endeavoring to make amends to
the people. some effort has been made to cast
around some of the corporations conditions Of oper
alton which are tantamount TO increased tax the
franchise. violation of the provision of which will
result in the revocation of the privileges Indeed
that action is in actual contemplation in Wood
bury.
Some years ago the city Council Of Woodbury.
gave the Delaware and Atlantic Telephone and
Telegraph Company franchise for its lines Re
Gently some of the provisions of the franchise be-
came obnoxious TO the city; the company
cused OF taking more than allowed II; of
slashing valuable shade stringing its wires
and refusing to ask permission of property owners
to plant poles its lines; of taking possession
or streets without securing permits from the city
authorities and Of charging too much for local
service
roFeFsy which eliminated in the passage by the
City Council two weeks ago of a new ordinance gov
crning the conpanys franchise. Under this ordi-
nance twenty years use of the streets is given the
company it is permitted TO plant poles and string
wires IN such places and at such times as may be
officially permitted and under the supervision of the
city authorities; it cannot charge more than So
year for local telephone service and if it shall fail
within thirty days it must get out Of the city
=, me company has declared il would not accept
and n lcolyS
have TO leave the CITY
ELMERS FIGHT AGAINST RURAL PHONES
In Elmer few miles from Woodbury. the Coun-
clnen had somewhat different proposition. but
one involving practically the principle of no
Tree franchises. A Peoples Rural Telephone Com
pany was recently formed with a number of well
10 DO farmers as its chief figures, but which is
dlIeI all only telephone corporation, designed to
PIace d teIeEhone on every farm. and turn, Incl
dentaly. lot of business over the trunk lines The
Rural company has secured free entry TO many Of
the towns placing its poles and stringing its wires
along the streets freely. When it came to Elmer II
met with disCoura cement
II wanted to put up its poles and run it's wires
Without any charge whatsoever. The Council
"resued with the subject last week and nv a +ia
Fo'e' Iald II on the table, The new companv
through Its president declared that II could NOT
ana would not pay the proposed franchise tax of
% cents pole year nor any other sum 1t was
pointed out that the old company IS paying the
5o-cent tax, which of the councilnen regarded
as entirely too lew. but a tate accorded az the
time the franchise granted. some years ago
Inc new companys agents suggested that The
system would benefit the city u an extent rar
greater IMAM the sum TO be realized from such a
IAN but the members of the Council were oh
ouraie: They refused that one company
supplying the same utility. had any greater rights
IMAM dilOther and they refused the sough-for free
franchiSe. It was laid the table for two weeks
put IN inc present frame of mind of the city fathers
that Is as far as IL will get.
! ne city OF Beverly, up in Burlington Comfy
when contains the homes of good many wealthy
t'hllHdetphia commuters has another telephone
battle of somewhat different aspect bur cor
tanning after all, the same germ of the franchise
tax movement. About eight wears ago rhe I)ela-
ware and Atlantic obtained from Beverly a right
10 run Its lines over the streets. One OF he Dro
visions was that the city should have at ali times
Tree use or the system, in and of the c " for
al or its municipal business. 1t is now Asserted
mat tins business has amounted to so mich tbat
the company wants to make charges for some of II
1t has proposed a modification of the ordinances
but the members OF the City Council refuse ~
make the amendments desired, and there the mat
ter rests for the present. 1890
In all Of these cases the governing bodies Of The
cities have given proof of a desire To limit The
frame OF mind OF the public this time II re a
question whether trolley company a telephone
company any other corporation seeking 10 serve
the public could get perpetual grant of any kind
from any municipality in this of the State
The whole trend of public sentiment seems RI he
IN the direction Of not only limiting them az 10
term, but placing upon them limita tions of power
and compelling substantial payments for the privi-
leges sought. f