Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1907-11-08
City Council in One of the
Longest Sessions in
Its History.
IN STRUGGLE SEVENTEEN HOURS
Members of the Minority Put Up
a Warm Fight Before Or
dinance Passes.
Measure Finally Put Through by q
Vote OF Al to 2S-Provisions of
the Ordinance-Ifights of
City and Company.

Chicago, Nov. S.-The city council
at 2:44 a. m. placed its final stamp or
approval upon the Chicago Telephone
company ordinance. passing the meas
ure by a vote of Al to 23. The adop-
ton of the ordinance came after Il
struggle of nearly seventeen hours du-
ration, one which began in the morn
ing of one day and lasted until the
morning of the next.
None of the aldermen now in the
council remembers a longer struggle
over one ordinance. With the tele-
phone company measure the council!
passed another regulating public tele-
phone charges. This prevents charge
Of more than 5 cents being made for
local connections and does away with
the 1O-cent phones in hotels and rail
road stations. The rate for single par
ty line, unlimited use. is $125 per year.
Up to Busse for Signature.
Both ordinances are now up to
Mayor Busse for signature. The mayer
declared after the council adjourned
that he would not announce his de-
cisOn for or against the franchise
grant until he had considered it care.
fully. He gave no indication of his
Intentions.
Mayor Busse's signature is not the
only thing necessary to make the or
dinance of the telephone company op-
erative. Before the company can ac-
cept 1t it must pay the city $4,000 due
as compensation. Certain other con-
ditions must be complied with by the
company before the measure becomes
valid.
Opposed at Every Turn.
The struggle over the ordinance,
which had marked the early proceed
ings of the council, did not cease for Il
minute until the final adoption of the
ordinance. Although a score Of roll
calls had showed early In the after
noon that their cause was hopeless.
the members of the minority in the
council that opposed the ordinance
continued to battle with the forces led
by Alderman Linn H. Young, chair
man of the committee on gas, oil and
electric light.
Amendment after amendment was
called up by the members of the
minority in a vain hope to secure adop-
ton.
Provisions in the Franchise.
As 1t now stands the ordinance, IL
signed by Mayor Busse, provides:
Chel1
| have the right to operate in Chicago
and use public streets ror its wires
and poles for twenty years.
Company shall pay to the city per
cent of its gross receipts.
Company shall permit the city to in
spect it's books.
Company shall give free telephone
service In the city hall and to the po-
lice and fire departments and to the
| city ward yards.
Right to Change Rates.
City shall have the right thirty
months after the passage of the or
dinance to change the rates specified
in the measure. the rates as changed
to remain in force for five years.
City shall have the right to acquire
for municipal operation the plant Of
the telephone company in 1919, 1924
or 1929.
City shall have the right to compel
the company to give the best possible
service and to install all improve
ments in equipment approved by the
aldermen.