The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-08-04
new COMPANY GETS
ITS FRANCHISE
COMMON COUNCIL ACTS UPON
AUTOMATIC PHONE MATTER
LAST NIGHT, WITHOUT A
DISSENTING VOTE.

An ordinance granting franchise
30 the Northwestern Long Distance
Telephone Company was passed on
It's final reading by the common
council last night. This action by the
council was somewhat unexpected, as
It had been said that the matter
would not be rushed through, but ap-
parently the men back OF the auto
matte phones were desirous OF Sc
curing the franchise as soon as pos
sible and the council evidently saw no
valid reason for delay. The action by
the council last night means that the
new company now has its franchise
and is in a position to commence
work on the establishment OF its new
automatic system as soon as it wants
30. By the terms OF the franchise it
must complete the entire system with
m seven months or forfeit $500 to
the city of Astoria, and it was an
nounced last night that the company
win begin operations without any
delay.
The ordinance was passed without
= dissenting vote from any of the
seven members present, Henderson,
Kaboth, Leinenweber, Stangeland,
Hansen, Logan and Robinson 1t had
been amended in some particulars
since the special meeting week ago,
and it is believed that the city's best
interests are conserved under the
grant.
Other Matters.
Half a dozen other matters came up
for discussion, among them being an
ordinance introduced by Councilman
Hansen with the object in view OF
keeping the streets free from obstruc-
tons, such as piles Of timber, wood,
and booths on the streets, etc. DR..
Henderson took the floor on this
matter and in a vigorous talk called
for the passage Of an ordinance which
would do away with the practice that
now prevails of piling FIRE wood upon
the public highways for days and
even months at a time. He char
acterized the present method as be-
ing provincial, fit only for "back-
woods town" DR.. Henderson's rath-
er caustic criticisms are we'll borne
ont by the present condition of many
of the streets in town, for all over
the city are piles of fire wood thrown
indiscriminately about the streets.
But it was pointed out, per contra,
that the streets are an excellent place
to dry fire wood.
"But makes us the laughing stock
OF other towns" broke in Dr. Hend-
erson. at excites ridicule; it makes
rs look like villagers, and all the
while we are attempting to pose as a
city" The council didn't seem to
care what outsiders thought Of US,
and despite a further warning that
the city is courting damage suit by
leaving its streets full OF distractions,
whereby an accident is likely to oc-
eur, decided not to take any final ac-
ton upon the ordinance. Meantime
people can dry all the fire wood they
want to out in the streets, and prob
ably can dry their clothes out there
also If they want to. In some parts
of the city the piles of wood virtually
block the streets.
The Pest House.
DR.. c. Reames, the city physician,
called the councils attention to the
diIapidated condition of the past
house 1t is unfit for use. 1t was sug-
gested that it should be repaired to
meet the present need for it, but DR..
Henderson explained that the modern
tendency in the treatment Of small
pox is to use tents whenever practi- |
cal, and he suggested that the could |
be used in Astoria at anl season. When
through with, the tent can be fumi-
gated and put away for future use.