Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-03-17

and show you we can not pay a tax of
2 per cent, on the condition that You
will not report to the press or our op-
lponents our manner of doing business.
This, gentlemen, is what Mr.. Nauoker
referred to in speaking about the Sc
cret meetings"
Secret Meetings.
| Upon referring further to the open
ing of the books of the company and
the auditing by committee including
the city clerk, Mr.. McEniry said,
| Upon the conclusion of the discus
sion in private over what was found in
| the books, Alderman Eckhart. it may
| be justly said handed over to Mr..
Mann all of the papers that bore the
figures taken from the books of the
company, and there were no longer any
records outside OF the company's of
fee
THE Central Union Telephone com
pany is responsible for the secret meet
ings and the business was as to the
books and accounts of the company.
Never Reached Agreement.
at was not in the mind Of Alderman
Eckhart TO pass an ordinance Monday
night that would be satisfactory to the
Central Union Telephone company.
The council and the company have
never got together. Each delivered
an ultimatum on what il would ac-
cept, and / say in fairness to the coun-
Gil that the company and the council
have never come together on an ordin-
ance. The company was glad to have
The ordinance laid over TO treat with
YOU on this matter. You are its pa-
irons and it wants your good will and
If it does not get it, it il not the fault
OF the company, l hope"
Union Labor Clause.
Mr.. McEniry explained with refer
ence to the union labor clause as fran
ed in the ordinance az without legal
force and effect; that the company
could accept it and the next day dis
charge every union man on the lines |
The Central Union company is en-
deavoring to treat with the labor peo-
pie now. We could have hoodwinked |
them by accepting this clause of the |
ordinance but we would not do it" He |
read the proposed rate section. which |
10 as follows:
AS to Rates.
Said company shall charge its sub.
Scribers in the city OF Rock Island such |
'ates as it charges in other cities of
he same size and of the same charac-
er for the same class of service and
whenever said company shall reduce
is rates in other cities of the same
lie and class, the rates for the same
lass of service as reduced shall be re-
iuced in Rock Island:
Provided. however, that the ques-
ion of the right. if any it has. of the
'ity of Rock Island to fix the rates in
he future, or of availing itself of the
uture rates that may be fixed by the
legislature of the state of Illinois is
lot hereby waived, but such question
re left in allegiance"
In explanation of this he said that
he company refused to accent an or
nance with a maximum rate and stat
d that If the three cities grow to
opulation of 100000 in the next 10
ears the company may have 10 in
rease its rates and Is frank in saying
.. He went into detail in explaining
ne reasons why the rate is increased
18th the growth of the city and the
srvfce. Mr.. McEniry expressed his 5
ersonai opinions as to taxing fran. [
hises and said that there was no cues.
on of the fact that if there was a = | l
er cent tax it would be paid by the Q
'lephone user which he considered T.
nfair.
Suggests Friendly suit. h
IF you do not want your city coun- n
to adopt that ordinance he said. "
wish you would say to its members.
gree on statement Of facts and go C
to suit in court "
Prefer Other Conversations -
In reply to statement from the teI-
'hone representative with reference G
the concessions made to the city III
e way of conduits and telephones. r
r. haucker took the position that
csc were of little consequence. say
g. Il believe | voice the sentiment =,
the telephone users when | say that h,
e concessions may he beneficial to ii
e locality, but will not be beneficial in
the users. | would prefer a lower 10
axfmum rate to some OF these privi- :,
yes given to the city. ! must say. let m
raise the salaries of the city officials .,
d let them pay for the things we o..
e paying for. We have TO pay our r.
ly, let them pay theirs
COncurred In by Mayor. !,
This sentiment was concurred in by g
igor McCaskrin, who was present u,
d addressed the assembly briefly on
2 line of taking the matter to the
urts, which he now seems to prefer.
Dr. w. H. Ludewig and Colonel w. T pl
annon both expressed themselves as We
ainst the ordinance as proposed by be
: company. There was much discus wi
N on rates, operating expenses, and m
INJECTIONS, numerous questions being ed
10 Mr.. Rottger of Springfield, the of
)erintendent. The conclusion was, n;
resolution offered by W. C. Mauck- yo
the committee consisting OF F. T. yo