Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-03-20
EFFORT TO END
QUESTION is
AGAIN MADE
Council in Committee of the
Whole Seeks Solution of
Telephone Problem,
BUT ACC0MPLIsHEs LITTLE
Arrangement Satisfactory to All Not
Found - Final Action to Be
Taken Monday.

committee of the whole session at the |
Office of Mayor Schaffer to consider
the telephone questions. All of the |
aldermen, with the exception of one,
were present, and a long conference
was held, lasting until nearly II
c o'clock. Three representatives of the
Central Union company were present
and representative of the TYSON
Electric company also appeared be
fore the close of the session.
The telephone representatives We're
asked if they would accept a general
telephone franchise ordinance govern
ing both companies, and providing for
& maximum rate, the employment of
union labor, and franchise tax.
The Bell representatives declined to
accept an ordinance ontaining the
last two provisions, franchise tax
and the employment of union labor,
and partially declined to accept the
rate provision. The company as to
rates merely agreed to consider a
measure proposed by which the rates
are fixed under a police control .ordi-
nance. To meet such an adjustment
| il insisted upon its further ordinance
being adopted at the same time, it to
dismiss the litigation and pay the
costs, so far accrued of $4,000 i'll re-
turn for having its own way and get
ting a sure thing 2a~year ordinance
in lieu of its claim of having already
a perpetual franchise in Rock Island.
| VIII Accept All.
The representatives of the Union
Electric company agreed to accept
any reasonable rate clause and the
union labor provision unqualifiedly,
and also agreed to abide by any fran
ciise tax ordinance which is made to
Iapply consistently to both companies.
In fact the position of the Union Elec-
| trio representatives was the same as
has been maintained from the first
one of fairness and frankness with
the city.
Turn Down Police Measure.
The police control ordinance which
was suggested provided a maximum
rate of $50 and $50 when the compa-
MES have 1000 subscribers, and until
that number is reached the maximum
rate would be $50 and S27, the same
as suggested by the Union Electric
company.
The attitude of the Central Union
toward this measure perhaps as much
as any other factor, determined the
council to turn it down, and when a
poll was, taken the vote was Z to
against the adoption of such an ordi-
nance The Bell people did not agree
to accept such an ordinance, but
agreed to refer it to headquarters for
consideration. The Union Electric
company agreed to accept it.
Will Be Settled.
1t is stated emphatically by certain
of the aldermen who are in a posi-
ton to know, that the telephone ques-
ton will be positively settled Monday
evening. The council will hold an adj
journed meeting then and it is well
understood that this meeting is purely
for the purpose of acting on the tele-
phone ordinances.
It would appear that all the delay
iii the consideration of an action on
the Union Electric relief ordinance
merely seems as an accommodation
to the Bell company, and the procras-
tination is without question a sacri-
fee of the Union Electric, the only
lever the city has upon the action of
the Bell monopoly.
1t might be said, as has been done
heretofore, that The Argus considers
that the time is over ripe when action
should be taken, an ordinance fair to
beth companies and the city adopted
and the Union Electric and the Bel
company allowed either to accept OIL
reject its provisions.
1 1t is certainty and no bluff is i'll
volved in the assertion that il action
4 lis not soon taken the Union Electric
| will be out of business and the city
| left with nothing but an endless liti
cation as a weapon against the OBJ
noxious Bell monopoly.
Hi City In Good Faith.
There is no reason to question the
good faith of the city administration
in the matter, but it surely is time
now for action. The delay appear.
to be result of the Central Unior
representatives activity, and to b,
1 contemplated Dy the olu company a.
az effective means of accomplishing
the end of its rival.
III As to the adoption rof the ordinance
Elproposed by the Union Electric com
EIpany, it is maintained that its proyi
sions will in no way prove hindranc'
tc the city in future dealings witt
the Central Union but on the othe
hand. by reason of the automatic eS
change feature proposed by the new
company, it is claimed that such ao
II ton would be an assistance in bring
ing the Bell company to its prope
II place.
Hi If the Bell company is honest il
L the impression it seeks to give, that
realizes that its future depends o