Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-01-28

the meeting a week ago the invitation
was extended. At the committee of
/ the whole meeting two days later the
company brought in its proposition
which was the old ordinance accom-
panied by two additional separate
propositions, one to defray the cost of
the court proceedings to date amount
ing to about $4,000. and the other to
| install the so telephones originally of
fered to the police department and
equip them with a switchboard duly
connected. the city to defray the ex-
penses of operating the same after the
plant was in running order. Mayor Nc
Caskrin was enthusiastic for the COM
promise on the basis spoken of and it
was proposed to put the ordinance
through if possible at the meeting to
be held Saturday. Meanwhile the may
or had taken so kindly TO the telephone
proposition that his invitation had de-
veloped that he spoke of it on the
street as a complete victory for the
city of which he took the credit of, the ac-
complishment of all the people asked
and a saving of $4,000 to the tax
payers.
What is Really offered.
The fresh propositions at first
glance really seemed to involve greater
concession to the city than were in
reality offered-although no rate
clause appeared-but when citizens
took pains to analyZe them, they be-
gan to ask, if the city was to accept
such an ordinance now why it had not
done so last spring, and have been
having the enjoyment now of what
was promised then. In word, the
conviction that has been generally eX-
pressed during the past week is that
one of two things is certain-provided
the pending ordinance carries-either
the city must admit it was wrong in
going into the controversy in the
courts, or it is wrong now in aban-
doning it.
w. C. Maucker. who is one of those
who led the fight against the adoption
of the ordinance before, said Saturday
in discussing the matter. MY position
has not been altered in the least, and
am in favor of no compromise that
does not specifically stipulate a maxi
mum rate. for if you do not insure this
much for the people all that the COM
pany gives to the city in special |
phones and equipment will eventually |
come out of the people. That money |
will be taken in exorbitant rates at
some stage of the game, unless the |
council makes it impossible to raise |
the rates. Regulate the rates by a |
maximum clause and | am satisfied"
DR.. J. F. Myers, who was one of the |
most prominent opponents of pushing
he controversy to the point of litiga-
lion before, said today: Il was OPP
posed to going to the courts with this
natter originally, and am still opposed
o the litigation. l am in favor of any
adjustment that will be equitable and
lust to the city and to the telephone
Isers, especially since we have got to
leal with the Central Union company
f we want good service
A citizen who has taken no part in
he public discussion of the question
;aid this morning, ITO my mind this
ordinance will no sooner pass than you
will see the new company in the hands
If the old and | cOnscientiOusly be- l.
ieve that the poor service that has
,een coming from the new company
Turing the past few months has been
With the object of disgusting the peo-
lie and making them feel that the best
way out of it was to give the old com
AMY its ordinance. 1t sounds exactly
ike one of the Bell company's tricks
The sentiment throughout the city is
opposed to any ordinance that does not
include a maximum rate clause, and
he feeling that the organized labor
PROVISION should be inserted is equally
So you have all sides of the ques-
ion, in the light of the latest develop II
nentg