The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-11-19


a regular meeting of the city council,
Monday evening. when an ordinance
granting franchise to proposed
new company was introduced. Those
at the head of the enterprises are II.
ID. Critchfeld, prominent telephone
magnate of Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
NJ. C.. Aye. Harry N. Quigley and
Congressman Grant e. Mouser. OF
Marion.
The introduction of the ordinance
came as complete surprise to every
one in the council chamber, even
members of the council being unap-
prised of the plans of the promoters.
Fred Il. CUTLERY, one of the lead
ing stockholders of the Marion Coun-
ty Telephone Company. was present
and rendered warm argument in
opposition to the proposed franchise.
Mr.. CUTLERY said that he had come
to the council meeting in regard to
n tax matter and was as thoroughly
as any one by the introduce
tion of franchise ordinance. He
said that he knew nothing of the
movement until few minutes before
the introduction of the ordinance.
Messrs. Mouser and Quigley were
present on behalf of the proposed new
company and both spoke for the
purpose of urging the passing ordin-
ance. The chief argument, how
ever. was between Messrs. Quigley
and CUTLERY. and during the progress
of the debate, some plain and un-
vanished terms were used. Members
of council and others who attended
1.-THE meeting are of the unanimous
|opinion that before this matter Is
battles in the annals of the city
council will have been waged. Fol-
lowing the argument between the
three lawyers. Councilman Wilson,
chairman of the franchise committee,
moved that the matter be referred to
his committee to be investigated and
Iacted upon as speedily as possible.
lThe motion was carried and was sup
|plemented by another motion by
councilman Phillips, to have an ad-
ljourned meeting held next Monday
|evening. November %. This motion
Twas carried. The telephone question
will come up for further discussion
doubtful that any action will be talk
len. 1t Is altogether likely that a
committee of members will be APP
lpointed to visit various cities and
counties for the purpose of investi-
gating the telephone situation there.
MIR. Cutlery, in his argument Mon
Iday evening. made the assertion that
Marion county has better telephone
service than any other county In the
state and that the plant here is the
best In the state.
No member of the council gave an
depression of opinion on the matter
Monday evening. secret session OF
an hour was held in the first place
land during this session the proposed
franchise of the new company was
examined and discussed Following
the secret session the franchise or
ldinance was read and after chat were
1.-THE arguments. The entire proceeding
occupied two hours or more. and It
was 1880 o'clock when the session
Twas over.
The proposed franchise Is said to
be practically an exact copy of the
franchise granted the Marion County
company. If 1t is granted. the new
company pledges itself to have the
plant completed and in operation by
n Inn
are to be $50 o year for business and
loffice phones and SIS year for res
idence phones. There is to be free
county service and all of the other
privileges originally given by the Ma
I ron County company. The new COM
pany agrees to furnish bond of
l$lo,ooo to idemnify the city against
any damages in the construction of
the plant.
Mr.. Quigley opened the argument
following the reading of the ordi-
nance. He said that he desired to
submit two propositions. The first
was that of the present telephone
service. with due Difference 10 the
gentlemen connected with the COM
pany Is extremely unsatisfactory
I,rhe second proposition was that the
gentlemen who represent the franchise
Just introduced are prepared to- build
telephone plant and expect them
selves and their associates to invest
good honest money to furnish good
service. bsdtI uau Ia N Tf'
Mr.. Quigley said that as result
Iof the deal recently consummated
between the Marion County and Cen
ltral Union companies, there has been
an Increase in telephone rates and n
reduction of service
Il am not going to argue the sat-
isfactoriness or otherwise of the pres
ient service. said Mr.. Quigley. she
cause 1t is we'll known to all of you
VIII only say that We are prepared
70 put In . service that will be In
Keeping with the needs of the CITY.
we put this up to you as a business
proposition. -"
Congressman Mouser followed his