Rock Island Argus., 1911-09-13
CONSIDER CALL
FOR AN ELECTION
Commissioners Discuss Tele
phone Situation at Length
This Morning.
FINALLY LAY 1T OVER
Will Be Decided at Next Meeting
Burns of Central Union Sums
Up Matter.

After discussing the advisability OF
calling an election on the telephone
propositions, the Rock Island council
this morning decided to lay the matter
over till the next regular meeting, TO
be held Monday morning. By circulat-
ing petitions, voters of Rock Island
have asked that the Central Union
telephone ordinance. passed by the
council several weeks ago, be pre-
sented for a vote, under the referen-
dunn, and on the initiative, that the
proposed ordinance of the TriCity
Home Automatic Telephone COMPANY,
be also referred to the people for a
vote.
WOULD REPEAL ORDINANCE.
When the telephone subject was
broached by Mayor Schriver this morn
ing. Commissioner Archie Hart was
the first TO present an opinion. Inas-
much as that the Union Electric TeIe-
phone company has offered to pay for
the election only if they los, and ex-
pect the city 10 stand the cost if they
win, devoting the part of the 5000 10
the expense, Commissioner Hart said
that he is in favor of repeating the ac-
ton already taken, rather than run
ming a chance of incuring expense to
the city. He said that he felt respon-
sble for the petition, but that as far
as the ordinance of the Tri-City Home
Automatic Telephone company is con
cerned, he feels that the people have
taken the initiative on that in calling
the election. He is against that ordi-
nance because of the length of life
which il calls for. and further because
no time is specified for the compile
ton Of the plant. Then too, for the
rights which the company expects, the
city is 10 receive no compensation,
though the grant is a valuable one.
He added that the petitions were
probably signed because of the desire
OF the people to take a whack at the
for a vote on the proposition because
of its merits.
REYNOLDS GIVE VIEW.
Commissioner Reynolds stated that
he felt that the city should repeal the
ordinance, or even accept his theory
that it had not been passed and reject
it. He said that the companies inyolv-
ed had already apparently accepted his
theory, because Of the new resolution
which has been forwarded and offered
for passage He further stated that 1t
was not a question of the popularity
OF the council, but rather that the peo-
pie objected 10 granting the Bell cor
poration further rights. He favors
having the Bell people try the initia-
tive, and If they can secure one
fourth of the voters as petitioners,
and he thinks they can not. II will be
necessary to call the election.
SITUATION IN NUTSHELL.
Mayor Schriver says that it is nee
essary TO hold an election anyway and
that both propositions may as we'll be
presented at the same time. z. J.
Burns Of the Union Electric company
summed the situation up in a nutshell.
He stated that an election is necess-
airy, on one proposition and the ex-
pense of voting on both together Is no
greater than on one question. His peo-
pie have given him a check for $2.500
to be paid over TO the city TO defray
the expenses. II the company loses,
and the action Of the commission is
rescinded. the company expects to
stand the expense. If the company
wins. II expects 10 have the city pay
out OF the money that the transfer will
bring II. II the company wins, the
city is not out anything, and II the
company loses, the city is still even.
II the Union Electric proposition does
not go TO a vote, the city will have 70
defray the expenses on the Tri-City
Home Automatic company election.
CANNOT BE FORCED.
The understanding. II appears, OF the
commissioners. on what the $4,000 is
be used for was somewhat varied,
though the ordinance says that the
amount must be paid only after the or
dinance goes into effect. IL Is not UP
TO the telephone company TO bear the
expense. though the city may put the
TO them. and rely on their in
terest in the matter. TO forward the ex-
pense. uneonditionaliy.