The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-12
PROTECT THE PUBLIC,

The ordinances granting francmse
to w. w. whipple and ]. r. CLINTON
for constructing a telephone tele-
graph, electric light and gas plants as
nrenared by City Attorney a. NJ. Smith
are drawn in accordance with the SEN
timent of large majority of the peo-
nile containing sufficient restrictions to
protect the public, at the same time
giving the promoters valuable iran
chise. The efforts of the promoters to|
cut the restrictions in half was asking
for greater concessions than any city
ought 10 give. 1t might have been
well enough TO grant an extension OF
60 DAYS in which to accept the IRAN
chise. but extending the time to nine
r,opths in which to commence work is
evidence of weakness on the part OF
the promoters. and shows conclusive
" that ii is a question whether they
will be able to sell the franchise IN
some eastern money market. They
don't want it for themselves, but as
means of speculation. There wouio
be no objection to this for If outside
capital can be induced to come to AS
toria to invest in any legitimate enter
prise. they will be accorded a hearty
welcome.
That the promoters do not intend to
build the system themselves, but ex-
pect to sell it to someone else, is EVIL
denced by the fact that there has beer
no engineers, representing any com
pany, come to Astoria to make an In
yestigation. and no city in the woric
has ever granted a franchise TO any
company for any purpose, but that th'
engineers and representatives Of tha
company have gone to that city, made
preliminary surveys and estimates ahc
submitted a report to the projectors
before a franchise is asked for. Neith'
er Mr.. Whipple nor Mr.. Clinton have
any idea of what the system Will cost
they have no idea Of the amount o
business they can secure. and have m
certain company behind them to fur
nish the capital for constructing tn
enterprises. They are endeavoring t
get the best terms possible in order t
find some capitalist willing to inves
in the enterprise.
The proposition to strike out Of tn
ordinance the provision regulating tn
price Of telephones to consumers is o
doubtful propriety. If new compan
does come here to put in a system
there will be no trouble for them I
organize a trust and put up the price
charged for telephones from SO pc
month to IS per month. If there ar
two companies and neither one ca
pay operating expenses at the pric
charged, it is morally certain that the
will enter into a combination to jun
up the price. 1t has been done !
every city in the world, and Astori
will be no exception. If the price
fixed in the ordinance at SO for mai
line service and $1.25 for party lin
service, there will be no opportunit
of organizing a trust. The price wi
be always maintained at that pric
The new company cannot raise II
price because prohibited by the
franchise, the old company cann'
raise the price because to do 50, wouI
be to drive business to the compar
furnishing telephones at the lowe
price.
The members Of the council cvin'
a desire 10 treat the promoters vii
due and fair consideration, but thu
should also remember that they do n
represent the promoters, nut the PEI
pie of the city Of Astoria, and tEat Il
franchises they are contemplate
is the property of the people and n
the property of the common counc
They are supposed to represent 1
people of the entire city in giving aw
valuable franchises and not their
dividual inClinations, and the peol
demand all franchises donated he 81
rounded with sufficient restrictions
protect the city The promoters ne
no protection. They come here WI
nothing, expecting to secure son
thing, and when it is secured, endeaN
to enlist outside capital to constr'
and develop the system. No one h
any objection to this, and both fra
chises should be granted as provid
in the ordinances drawn by City 4
torney Smith. Mr.. Smith knows