The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-02-24

To correct false impressions made
by the recent agitation of dispute
between the CITY of Paducah aud this
company we think Is proper TO make
the following statement:
The controversy between the city
OF Paducah and the East Tennessee
Telephone company is not of the
telephone company's making. II has
acceded to every request made by the
city OF Paducah save one and
would gladly accede TO that were II
not for the fact that it would result
in compelling the company to operate
its exchange at a loss.
The history of the trouble is as
follows: Some three or four years
ago a dispute arose between the com
pany and the city with reference 70
amount OF franchise license and other
tax and litigation grew out of d.
While this litigation was pending and
parties reached an agreement; a rep
resentatlve OF the telephone company
met with the council and committee
from both branches OF that body to
confer with the telephone company
and with power TO settle the differ
once. After much conference back
and forth. an agreement was finally
reached whereby the telephone com
pany was to pay the city $4,000 In
lieu OF all back claims and the city
was TO offer certain franchise,
which was agreed on, and the tele-
phone company in addition TO the
81 .OO0 was TO bid not less than $500
for such franchise \ resolution
was put through both branches OF the
council reciting that compromise
had been reached and every member
In both branches of the council agreed
to the compromise and voted for the
resolution Immediately upon the
passage OF this resolution the tele-
phone company paid To the city
50. 600. which the city stiil has AZ
the same time an ordinance setting
forth the terms Of the franchise
agreed on was introduced and passed
the lower board by a unanimous vote;
Il passed the upper board It's first
reading by a unanimous vote. but be-
tween the first and second reading
some Of the members Of the board Of
aldermen, for reasons satisfactory TO
objected TO the passage
OF the ordinance. and, while Il vas
not formally defeated al that time
Il was laid over from time 10 time and
after much discussion back and forth
was finally defeated. ThurcupOn he
city council at the suggestion OF its
lawyer passed a resolution directing
the board OF public works to refuse
permission 10 the East Tennessee
Telephone company 20 set or reset
Us poles. string lts wires. or On any
way maintain i,s property in safe
condition anywhere In the CITY OF
Paducah. and as this amounted TO
confscation Of Us plant. the company
for It's own protection. SGT out writ
of injunction to prevent the city from
refusing TO allow 90 to continue bust
ness In Paducah. and there The matter
stands.
The company does not nor has Il
ever desired any litigation or trouble
with the people; on the other hand.
Il Is exceedingly anxious 10 settle the
time and time again: IN fact since
the litigation has been pending the
city solicitor. MS employed assistant
and the mayor have reached an
agreement with the telephone com
pany as 20 an ordinance proposing
TO sell a franchise and such ofd.-
nance was Introduced into the gem
eral council and passed the lower
board. In the uDper board IL received