The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-06-21

got satisfactory service under the old
system, when he had 10 pay but $50 a
year, and IL was equal 90 that for which
he is required TO pay S120 at present. All
ne reason that he could see for the
doubling OF the price was that the Provi-
denee Telephone company had 10 install
$4,000 switchboard and add two stor-
les 10 Its new building. and he had TO be
assessed to help pay for them. he said.
Il want TO ask he said. ''if the COM
mittee offered the Providence Telephone
company a six-years franchise for re-
duction OF rates without solicitation from
that corporation?"
Alderman Parks said that the commit
tee considered proposals from the two
companies and then In spirit OF fair
ness offered the Providence Telephone
company a business proposition OF giving
something in exchange for what the com
pany was 10 give the city and its sub
scrlbers The Providence Telephone com
pany was on the ground had the goods
and could deliver them The rates offered,
he believed, were fully as good as those
or the Home company, which had he said,
nothing but promises 10 offer.
Suppose the Providence Telephone
company had decided To withdraw from
this city, what would have been the sit
uation o; the city of Providence? he ask
ed, 1T would have been forced TO have
what would have been the situation? We
couldn't have had a system in from two
To four years. What is proposed Is not a
franchise; II Is simply n business con-
tract, such as Is made daily by business
houses. II was not asked for by the
Providence Telephone company. The COM
pany did not know what the committee
was going TO ask and il was only by the
smoothest, most tactful work on the part
OF the committee that the Providence
company was brought into line The COM
mittee would not have entertained a prop
osition for 20, Is or 10 years franchise
None was ever considered.
PETERSON OBJECTS
Alderman Peterson said in part: 'It
seems an extraordinary situation for this
committee to thrust upon the Providence
Telephone company something that II did
not ask for. i believe that 1t Is better to
continue under the old rate and / cannot
conceive of the time when the Providence
Telephone company would beg a compet-
Ing company TO come to It's rescue and
purchase its plant because Its increasing
business was causing II 10 lose money.
Rates have not been materially re-
duced. for the average business man does
not see the difference In his pocketbook
l am not advocating a dual system, but
do not think that 1t Is right to bind our
selves for any length OF time. which
would be casting away any opportunity
there might be for a reduction in future
Public opinion has not yet been fully
aroused In this matter, but when Il is /
believe that there will be a decided pro-
test against the granting OF this franchise
Or contract"
Alderman Reynolds spoke again, say
ng:u"I wish TO explain the matter about
hc tkA
clause to the Providence Telephone COM
pany The company came TO us with a
OF a 20-year franchise. for
which they were TO pay the city per
cent OF their gross receipts or per cent
of a three-year franchise. They said moth
ing about a six-year period That was the
proposition"
Alderman McMann called attention TO
the fact that the Providence Telephone
had sometime ago declared its
Intention TO reduce rates without saying
anything about a franchise. He did not
feel that the reductions proposed were
large enough under the circumstances.
ADOPTED, TO 3.
At 6:So o'clock Alderman Parks, Hig-
gins and Parker called for the question
and upon the roll call the aldermen con-
CURED with the common council in the
passage of the ordinance by vote OF 8 TO
3 as follows: Ayes-Aldermen Fletcher.
Higgins, Parker. Parks and Reynolds
Noes--Aldermen Dunn. McMann and Pc
terson. Aldermen Spicer and Budlong
were absent. Mr.. Spicer having been call
ed away on business.
Alderman Reynolds moved 10 reconsider
the vote, and Alderman Parks after sec
onding that motion. moved that II be
laid upon the table. which was done.
This action blocked a plan Alderman
Peterson had prepared of giving written
notice of his intention 10 move a recon-
sideration at the next meeting. The
board then adjourned.
In the audience at the beginning OF the
discussion were Councmen Darling. Nc
Ceffrcy Evans and Carpenter, ex-Coun-
Gilman Daniel Grady and Walter B. Vim
cent who represented the Providence
Telephone company.