The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-06-24
THE MAYOR AND THE FRANCHISE.

His Honor Patrick J. Mccarthy is pondering
the question of improved service and better tele-
phone rates for Providence. He does not intend to
act hastily whatever may be said of the speed with
which both branches of the city council washed
their hands of the questions. Moreover while he
cannot we'll avoid his full share of the responsible
ity, whether he vetoes, approves or allows the
ordinance to become law by not acting at all, he
proposes to obtain the consensus of opinion from
those presumably dsinterested persons, his ad-
visory board, before announcing his decision, and
possibly before making up his mind.
Whether the mayors advisers anxious
TO share this burden as he is to have them do so
may not be open to conjecture, presumably they
assumed certain responsibilities when they accepted
positions in the mayors council They are all
patriotic well-balanced men, whose advice is likely
TO be worth considering and the mayor does well
when he requests it on such important subject
There is much of truth in the claims advanced
by both sides but the company to which the city
council has voted to grant a short-term franchise
has the immense advantage of being on the ground
and in operation
Ordinarily six-years' franchise would not be
considered alarming. Contracts are made daily
by municipalities and individuals for longer periods
But a six-years' franchise at this time when the
spectre of possible competition has oomed up SO
strongly, serves two purposes. 1t chokes off the
cry that would undoubtedly be raised against
longer term contract, franchise and it downs the
spectre for six years at least AT the expiration of
the franchise PERIOD the city, according to the
of the ordinance will not be in the same posi-
tion it now occupies, unless those who now threaten
competition remain in the field and renew their
efforts, and the Providence Telephone company
will be at liberty maintain raise or reduce rates
as it may fit. Under the ordinance however
rates cannot be raised within the contract period
and there is possibility that the city may obtain
further reductions as improvements adopted by
the company.
There is pardonable public curiosity as to what
reduction would have been made had not competi-
tion been threatened. The Providence Tee-
phone company had planned to reduce rates. the
public informed, before any franchise was
mooted How much, If any, of this proposed re-
duction has been Incorporated in the concessions
that have been made to the city council committee
and how much was given in exchange for the fran
chise has not been determined. Perhaps all of the
reduced rates are voluntary and only the increased
percentage the city is to receive on gross rentals
Is In exchange for the franchise.
The committee and the council are convinced
that no better terms be obtained by waiting
If the mayor and his advisory board are of the
same opinion and believe the contract is the best
possible under the circumstances, his honor will
doubtless give it his approval Otherwise the ordi-
nance may have to be passed over his veto il the
public is to have the benefit of the reduced rates