Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-18

rural call.
4. The persons having rural phones
from small exchanges In Marshall
county, desiring connection with the
exchange Of the Farmers and Mer-
chants Telephone Company, may have
unlimited service both in and out for
themselves, their families and en-
ployes, at the rate OF 10 cents per
month but all service over other
phones to be charged a messenger fec
ef 10 cents, the proceeds of which 10
to be equally divided between the tele-
phone company and the rural exchange
where the call originated.
5. Rural lines ringing the exchange
at Marshalltown direct from the sub
scribers' station shall be given a rate
of IS per month for line not less than
ten nor exceeding fifteen phones.
Lines Of less than ten phones shall be
made charge Of not to exceed 90
cents per month for each subscriber
with a maximum rate OF 81 per year
for any separate line.
1t is provided that rural exchanges
shall have the right to elect In advance
| which one of the first four methods
above set forth shall be preferred by
| shall be in accordance Herewith.
The company is not permitted, under
| the ordinance, to make any charge for
a conversation or u message to its tel
| ephone lessees, subscribers, or patrons,
| unless conversation or message has
been actually transmitted, except for
| messenger service.
Devine's Amendment to First.
DR.. Devine, when the first ordinance
| was called on it's second reading. Of
fered an amendment as to the rates
Devine did not like the feature of the
company specifying an advance rate
! of 25 per cent for prompt payment of
bills and thought that the city should
not be considered in the light of col
lection agency He thought the net
rates only should be specified, and
| amended section to read $3.50 for
residences. 81 for offices, $3.50 for bus
mess houses, and 81 for party lines.
kinstead Of s1.75, 1926, $2.75, and s1.25.
The rates were to be subject to revis-
ion on the part of the city. 1t was also
provided in the amendment that the
telephone company grant the city the
right to place it's fire alarm wire sys-
tenn in the conduits built by the COM
pany. This, Devine, explained. was
agreeable to the company.
Psenicka offered an amendment to
Devine's amendment, making the $3.50
| rate So Psenicka later withdrew his
1 amendment because 1t was announced
| from the gallery l.. Mr.. Martin that
4 the company would not accept of any
4 such rate under any circumstances.
There was disposition on the part
! Of Herman, Psenicka and Mcdonald
| to delay the action on either of the
/ ordinances until the next regular meet
ing, which will come on Sept. H. Greg
DRY, Devine and Clark could see no adj
vantage In delay, on the other hand
they thought the city should take inn
mediate, or as near immediate action
4 as possible, in order that the COM
pany might submit the ordinance at
special election, and, If the proposition
is accepted by the people, get the work
of building under way
Substitute Not Acceptable.
The substitute ordinance, as pre-
scented Monday night, will not be ac-
ceptable to the company, and were 1t
adopted without many material mod
/ iiications, the company will be ready
to pass up Marshalltown in putting In
a competing telephone system.
Mr.. E. H. Martin, who is represent
ing the independents here, said today
that the substitute ordinance had nc
doubt been patterned after ordinances
i'm larger cities, but no consideration
had been taken Of the fact that In those
larger, cities people were paying more
for their phones than was being asked
here.
\ Mr.. Martin objects, among Other
things, to the requirement Of the city
for free phones for all city depart
ments. II the city should want 10(
free phones, he would have to give II
to them under the ordinance. He alst
!, objects to the specification of putting
in a separate duct in the conduits FOL
city wires. He says he is willing fol
the city to place its wires in at the
time the conduits are built, but they
would have to go in the same ducts
with their wires. He also objects tt
giving the top cross arm to the city
but does not object to the city putting
it's wires on the company's poles pro
viding it is done in Workmanlikt
manner. He objects to the specified
ton Of any certain kind of telephone
being used, because, he says, later o.
modern phone may be available in fiv'
; years time. He says what the people
should want here is the best 'phon'
they can get at reasonable rate.
In other words, Mr.. Martin says th'
!. ordinance, as it now stands, is pro-
!. hibitive. 1t is entirely too long, ane
complicated, and has too many string
tied to it, He is willing that the rate
be set forth in any ordinance that il
adopted, but he is not willing that tel
ephone accessories shall be regulated
and free switchboards be placed TO
those who desire private exchanges
He says that in the telephone business
| like any other business, things can
. be given away. All. he asks Of tn
people of Marshalltown is that the!
. give him an equitable chance to COM
to the city and invest a large sum Q
money, and to do business on a fai
and legitimate basis, and along busi
ness principles. If the people here d.
mot care to do this, the Independent
|, telephone people, of the state do no
. care to put in a line to compete Will
the Bell people.
MOVE TO MARsHALLToWN.
Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Andrews Come