Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-10-29
AUTOMATIC PHONE
AND ITS FRANCHISE
New Company Recites What 1t
Offers to DO in Mar
shalltown
ASKS RIGHT TO SPEND MONEY
Contract for Automatic Phones Has
Been Made-CounciI and Mayor Have
Approved Franchise Ordinance
Company is Bound by Contract to
Spend Minimum of $4,000

To the Voters of Marshaltown:
The Farmers and Merchants Tele-
phone company is incorporated for
$250,0O0. and its principal place of bus
mess is Marshaltown. Iowa Among
the incorporators are some of the best
known independent telephone men IN
the state of Iowa
The company came here last fall and
asked at the hands of the city of Mar
shalltown. a franchise, or permission
to come into the city and install its
telephone system, and compete with the
Bell Telephone company for its share
Of the business. After fully celebrating
on the subject the city council passed
an ordinance satisfactory to itself and
satisfactory to the company, which or
dinance was duly approved by the
mayor, and 1t remains now under the
law only for the people of Marshall
town to say by their votes at the next
general election whether or not they
will permit the company to come into
this city and do business. The question
is submitted to the voters on special
ballot on which IS printed copy of
the ordinance and the question shall
the franchise be granted, etc. Yes,
or NO" If the majority of those voting
on the subject vote yes. the company
will commence operations. If the peo-
will end the matter.
This company has made a contract
for an automatic system of telephones
subject to obtaining a franchise. and
will install an automatic system ex-
actly as represented. An exhibit OF the
same Is in operation, so that the people
may examine 1t at the Kibbey building,
formerly occupied by Wileys drug
store.
A contract has been made for
building to be erected opposite the fire
station on State street, subject to the
granting of the franchise by the voters.
A contract has been made for 100000
feet of underground conduit. subject
to the same conditions Contracts have
been made for the automatic system of
telephones to accommodate 1000 SUBJ
scribers. subject to the same condi-
tions.
The rates to he charged will be
$3.50 for business phones. $lbO for
private line and 81 for four party
lines.
The automatic telephone does not lay
off at night nor on holidays; 1t never
gives you the wrong number: never
talks back: never listens.
1t will connect with the independent
telephone system of toll lines in Iowa
and preparations are now under way
whereby this company will have all
long distance copper wires for this
service.
To install this system will require a
large number of men, as every wire eX-
cept those to distribute into the house,
must be underground-the trenches
must be dug; 100000 feet of conduit is
to be laid--it will furnish employment
for many men. This certainly ought to
be one thing to consider.
The company asks nothing Of the
city except the right to come here and
do business and to use the city streets
and alleys--no expense is made to the
city, no taxation, no aid in any way
what money is expended Is furnished
by the company, and it costs the city
and the tax payers nothing. only 1t
brings a valuable property here and
spends lot of money among us.
The use of the streets and alleys Is
protected by bond which the city
council said would be sufficient, and