The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1912-06-14
Davis on Franchises.

Editor Palatka News:-
lsee by last week issue of your paper
that you congratulate me on the fact
that my eyes are finally opening 10 the
value of municipal franchises, and your
memory is not so beclouded with
recent happingS as to prevent you from
barking back TO the time last year when
was Mayor, signed a franchise ordn.
ance which gave absolutely free OF
charge 80 year right 10 the streets,
not TO a powerful cooperation, but 10 a
gang OF franchise grabberS and Specula.
tors who were shy the price of week S
board at the Putnam House"
Either your memory is decidedly
"BECLOUDED," or perhaps you are
rather timid about an investigation OF
the real facts. herewith hand you
copy of the Electric Light franchise or
dinance, which you no doubt have ref
crence too. This ordinance was pub
lished in the TimeS-Herald last July,
and | ask that you compare this fran
chiSe ordinance with any other fran.
chiSe ordinance granted by the City of
Palatka and you will find this is the
only franchise ordinance that does not
give Oul StIeSlS away,
In comparing the Electric Light fran
chiSe with the Telephone franchise,
recently passed by the City Council and
now before the mayor for his approval,
lets see if the ordinance signed, while
mayor, gives absolutely free of charge"
a 80 year right TO to the Streets
LIST. The Electric Light ordinance re.
quireS that modern plant shall be in
stalled within II months from date of
acceptance, and be increased from time
to time 10 meet the needs OF the city or
citizens. DOES THE TELEPHONE
ORDINANCE HAVE ANY SUCH
PROVISION?
End. The Electric Light ordnance
requires a bond, guaranteeing the install.
alton and operation of the plant DOES
THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE
HAVE ANY SUCH PROVISION?
3rd The Electric Light ordinance
requires that the poles shall be of suffi.
cient height for the wires to clear the
shade trees. DOES THE TELEPHONE
ORDINANCE HAVE ANY SUCH PRO
VISION?
4th. The Electric Light ordinance
specifies the maximm they are allowed
to charge consumers. DOES THE
TELEPHONE ORDINANCE HAVE
ANY SUCH PROVISION?
5th. The Electric Light ordinance
provides that they shall furnish and
keep IN repair one croSs-arm on each
pole for the tree use of the city in opera
ting police or fire alarm. DOES THE
TELEPHONE ORDINANCE HAVE
ANY SUCH PROVISION
9th. The Electric Light ordinance
provides that they shall at certain Speci-
fled times, pay 10 the City of PaIatka a
per cent of its gross income, for the use
of the city'S streets. DOES THE TEL
EPHONE ORDINANCE HAVE ANY
SUCH PROVISION?
Therefore, instead of me, being con
graduated on the 18th hour conversion
to the cause OF the people, ii is the News.
that is entitled TO be congratulated upon
IFS Nth. hour. conversion, and | will
state that if the News had its eyes open
and the interest Of the city more at
heart, ii could be of ineStmable value TO
the citizens OF Palatka, in the way OF
pointing out the weak points in all er-
dinanceS or matters pertaining to the
welfare of the city.
In justice 10 me, ask that you publish
The foregoing in your issue of June 14th.
l9lZ. Yours truly,
HOWELL A. DAVIS.
Palatka June y, 1912