Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-25

TO the mayors ordinance were ellmtn-
ated. The mayor, i'll turn, claims that
the most essential parts Of his ordin-
ance have been stricken OUT He is not
unfavorable to the present draft, how
ever, If the company will enter into a
contract with the city to spend GER
tain amount of money. That is what
he has been sticking for and he says
he has not changed his opinion.
In the gallery was much the same
representation of the allied Bell-Mar-
shall interests, that have been inter-
ested spectators at every meeting since
the telephone franchise has been up.
Members Absent; Action Postponed.
Eouncilmen Mcdonald, of the First;
Herman, of the Fourth; and Psenicka,
of the Fifth. were not at the. meeting,
and this called forth some pointed re-
marks on the part of other members
who didn't think the ordinance should
be filibustered any longer. The mayor
suggested that the action be deferred,
and Gregory said that there was no
valid reason why the matter should be
delayed any longer Members who are
habitually absent when important mat
tiers come up should not cut any fig
ure," Mr.. Gregory remarked. The may
or said that when councilmen had to
be out Of town on important business
that was valid reason. "Mr. Her
man is out Of town." the mayor said,
.and so is Mr.. Mcdonald. don't know
where Mr. Pseniclsa isl The mayor
also thought that delay should be taken
1,o0 ntt N1t 1ifr oh
upon the ordinance. Mr. Northup was
also out of town.
How Herman Feels.
Mr.. Gregory suggested that MIR. Her.
man was for the ordinance as it had
been agreed upon, and laid on the
mayors desk a petition signed by bus
mess men asking that the council
grant o franchise, which Mr.. Gregory
said Mr.. Herman had himself circulat-
ed. The mayor said that the petition was
of no interest to him whatever. If
every business man in Marshalltown
would petition me, 1t would not change
me from where stand" the mayor
said. On the other hand, however.
Mayor Ingledue has used as one of his
arguments against the franchise as
proposed by the company, that he did
not want to saddle upon the business
men the extra expense Of two tele-
phones, at cost Of $500 month";
which was now being saved by the use
OF but one phone
What Substitute Eliminates.
Among the most important elimina-
lions made In the substitute ordinance
over that offered by the mayor, are:
IL -, n, tho
ordinance Of any amount that the com
pany may spend here in its plant or
exchange building, on the theory that
a city has no right to demand anything
outside of an up-to-date service and
that the streets Of the city be pro-
tected when building operations are in
progress.
2. The city does not ask for free
and unlimited telephone service for all
city buildings. but does ask that the
company grant it a half rate for city
phones.
8. The city does not attempt to,
regulate the incoming business on
farmers rural lines, believing that that
is a matter that rests entirely with the.
farmers and the telephone com pany.
4. The city does not attempt to
regulate the charge by the company
for telephone accessories, believing
that that is a matter Of private bust
ness OF the company, and that if it
charges excessive rates, it will not get
the business.
S. The city does not specify that the
company shall put in an automatic
phone system, but that "the latest and
most improved apparatus and equip
ment be installed and maintained by
the company" This is done in order
to permit the company to get the lat
est instruments, and not tie it down
to the mercy Of any one telephone
manufacturing concern.
Text of the Ordinance.
The ordinance calls for the installa-
ton and maintenance of the latest and
most improved telephone service,
placed underground in conduits within
territory bounded by High street
on the south, Thirteenth street on the
west. Center street on the north and
Eighth avenue on the east. The en-
largement OF the underground district
is permitted at any time. The usual
above ground connections are allowed.
The city is given the right to use
the co1npany's poles for the police
and fire department, but there is no
request made for the top cross arm,
as specified in the first substitute,
which is the most valuable asset of the
pole. The companys conduits are also
made available for the city's use, but
no separate duct is asked
The company is to provide bond
for $1,000, to insure the city that it's
streets and alleys shall be restored to