Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-10-29

| the comp3iny agrees to restore the
streets and alleys to their normal con-
dition as soon as possible, and to pay
any and all damages that may occur
by reason of their use OF the streets
and to hold the city harmless therefor
and If they take up u pavement any
where they give a bond to replace 1t
properly. and all this work, under the
ordinance passed by the council. is to
be done under the direction and super
vision of the street commissioner. or
such other officer as the city may put
in charge of such work.
At the time OF the passing of the
ordinance the council passed resolu-'
tion calling upon the company to exc
cute a contract agreeing to eXpend In
the city OF Marshalltown, in the year
1909. at least the sum OF $4,000. Such
contract has been signed and agreed TO
by the company and flied with the CITY
clerk and accepted by the mayor. AS
a matter of fact the company VIII
probably invest twice that amount IN
its installation during the year l9o?,
without asking a thing from the city
except the franchise--no free taxes, no
free water but only to be placed upon
an equal footing with the Iowa (Bell)
Marshalltown company. which is al
ready here. 1t has entered into this
contract to expend $4,000 and OF nee
essity will expcnd much more than that
during the year 1909.
The only objection made by any
one to the granting of the FRANCHISE
to this company is that some of the
business men will have to maintain
two telephones The presentation of
this question seems of little value for
the reason that about 90 per cent or
more of the business men have al
ready signed Il petition asking the
council to grant the franchise to this
company Many business men desire
to have two phones and many of them
have two of the present system. Most
business men recognize the telephone
as door to their place of business
and are willing to put In as many
doors as necessary to accommodate
their patrons. The business men who
signed such petition know whether
they want another telephone or not
better than the telephone company
which is now serving them know
whether they want it or not.
The local manager of the company.
Mr. Il. f. Newman. Is now on the
ground and will be found at the place
of exhibit in the klbbey building. and
viii be delighted to answer any and
all questions and demonstrate the use
of the automatic system to all VINO
may take time to call.
If we want to have q progressive
town. and in respect to telephone sys-
tens be up to the times. it would seem
that the people should vote for the
franchise In every city where the
automatic system has been inaug-
urated it has proved a great success
and much more satisfactory to the
people than the old systems. The
world progresses. and even telephone
systems may be improved upon. Why
should we not have the best? If some
company would come here and offer
to put in an up-to-date street car and
lighting service, If they were allowed
the use of the streets. would
we grant them q franchise under
proper regulations and under proper
bonds for the protection of the
streets or would we say we
have n very excellent old fash
toned system of lighting and street car
service that equals any mule car
service in the country. and we don't
care to have anything better"
1t is TO the interest of the people to
vote for the franchise for the new tel
ephone company. All opposition on
the part of the city council has been
fully met. and all requirements fully
complied with The only opposition so
far heard from comes from the old
telephone company which has a
monopoly and wants to maintain it.
If we are given an opportunity to
build an independent exchange in Mar
shaltown we will offer to the farmers
lines room, light and heat in our build
ing free where they may maintain
their own central exchange and con-
meet with our lines free of toll charges.
FARMERS AND. MERCHANTS
TELEPHONE COMPANY.
Notice to Fremont Voters.