The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-07-30
PHONE MATTER In
THE COUNCIL

ITS FIRST AND SECOND
READINGS AND rs STRONG.
LY FAVORED.
Az the special meeting Of the com
mon council last night the telephone
franchise was passed upon its first
and second readings. BY the terms
Of the franchise it runs for period
Of SO years and is to the Northwest
Tern Long Distance Telephone Com
Ipany. Apparently the instrument has
been drawn with the greatest care
and every interest Of the city and Of
the citizens generally seem to be we'll
safe-guarded. While II Ii possible
that II will be passed upon its third
|and last reading in practically the
way that II now stands, amendments
may yet be made and there will be
no disposition to rush the matter
through. 1t looks as ii Mayor Wise
and the city councilmen want to
know just what is being done and will
look pretty thoroughly before they
make the leap.
In way the introduction of the
ordinance last night probably marks
an epoch in the city's affairs. It
means first Of all that the city is tired
of second-rate things. 1t wants only
the best for the future. Moreover,
the way the mayor and councilmen
are going at this matter seems to
preclude all possibility Of any chi
canery on the part Of the grantees Of
the franchise If they accept it they
must pay $500 down; if they accept
it they must further give good and
sufficient bond to commence work
within three months from the accept
ance and must complete the work
within seven months from the date
OF the acceptance. This bond will
be forfeited to the city Of Astoria
providing these provisions are not
lived up to.
Following are the salient features
Of the franchise; 1t must be an auto
matte system; in that part Of the city
which is on piles the wires must be
under the planking; when buildings
are moved, the company must change
the wires and instruments over with
out expense to the patrons; the serv-
vice must be furnished free to all the
city Offices, and to all police and fire
stations now established or to be es-
the term Of the grant is 80
years, and after 10 years the city may
purchase if the citizens so vote; the
maximum rates shall be $4 for busi-
ness phones, and 81 for residence
phones, and there are to be no party
lines; in the event that the company
secures more than 1000 subscribers,
the rates may be advanced not more
than Is cents above the rates as
stated.
This franchise must be accepted
within so days, and $500 shall be paid
down when accepted; then for the
first Is years, the sum of $3.50 shall
be paid to the city annually; for the
next Is years the sum of $500 shall
be paid to the city annually: and at
the time the franchise is accepted, the
company shall bind itself in a bond
Of $500 to start the work within
three months and complete in within
seven months, unless prevented by
abor strikes or act Of God,
Such are the salient provisions,
There are Of course many other minor
"details Of Importance, but which are
lot particular to this ordinance.
The attitude Of the Ave members
present last night, Councilmen Han
,en, Kaboth, Leinenweber, Logan and
indicated that each is tax,
ng a personal and direct interest in
he matter and all are apparently
strongly in favor of the new fran
,hise.
The council chamber was well
illed with citizens last night. and
mong them was the telephone com
nittee' from the Chamber of Com
nerce, H. G. Van Dusen, DR.. Barr
md Mr.. Skyles. Each Of these gem
lemen spoke briefly on the measure,
IS did Messrs. Finlayson and Whyte,
while Manager Brunold. Of the Pacific
States Company, made short adj