Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-20
FORFEITURE OF
new TELEPHONE
PLANT FAVORED
City Attorney J. F. Witter
Makes Report to the City
Commission.
BUT NO ACTION IS TAKEN
Matter to Be Looked into Further
Sylvan Ice Company Called
Upon the Carpet.
BUT NO ACTION is TAKEN


City Attorney ]. F. Witter submit
ted to the city commission yesterday
his report upon the status Of the I'm
ion Electric Telephone and Telegraph
company, wherein he declored the fran
chise OF the company subject TO for
feiture TO render the service agreed
upon and because OF peglect Of wires
and apparatus which endangered the
public safety.
Following the reading OF the report,
Commissioner Reynolds moved that
the city attorney be instructed to insti-
tute proceedings TO enforce the COM
pany TO forfeit its franchise. Mayor
II. VI. Schriver raised the question as
10 the effect Of such procedure should
IL be successfully carried out. He was
apprehensive lest the company should
then be able TO sell its properties as
Il chose which would be directly con-
trary TO the wish OF the people ex-
pressed in the referendum vote when
It's holdings TO the Automatic Tele-
phone company. BY agreement the
resolution was laid over. The report
Of City Attorney Witter follows:
1.-THE Union Electric Telephone and
Telegraph company ceased operations
several weeks ago and the question
has been asked me what effect the
dlscontinuance OF telephone service
has had upon the so-called franchise.
Upon investigation find the franchise
II subject 70 forfeiture for the follow
ing reasons:
81. The company has failed TO rem
der the service agreed upon in the
ordinance passer by the city council
on the sth day OF April 1908. The
company agreed 70 maintain q tele-
phone service. II is not keeping its
agreement and has virtually abandon
ed the rights given It upon the said
ordinance.
"2. The company has failed to COM
ply with section Of the said ordi-
nance relating TO the maintenance OF
30 sets OF telephone instruments for
the use OF the fire alarm and police
patrol system.
1
and electrical apparatus is a menace
to the public safety. No linesmen are
employed 20 keep the lines in repair
and workmen OF other companies
working about the wires OF the Union
Electric are constantly in danger. No
company should be allowed to main
tain on any street or avenue a source
~
every possible protection TO the public
safety.
Very Respectfully,
J. F. WITTER, City Attorney"
DISCUSS ICE PRICES.
The matter OF discrimination in
prices between Rock Island and Mo,
line by the Sylvan Ice company was
again discussed yesterday afternoon
and on motion OF Commissioner Archie
Hart It was decided TO summon Johr
Day. manager OF the company, before
the city commission TO explain why
one price prevails for customers II
Moline and another for customers II
Rock Island.
Commissioner Hart stated befor,
the council that the Sylvan Ice com
pany sends out six wagons, three Il
Moline and three 10 Rock Island. Th,
wagons making deliveries in Molin,
receive $3.50 per 1000 pounds. Will,
those delivering TO Rock Island charg,
81 per 1000 pounds.
The question OF rate discrimination
has been up several times. At yester
days discussion Il was brought on
that some Of the other ice companie
charge 81 per 1000 pounds. but d
not discriminate between their custc
mers; other companies have a fla
rate OF $3.50 per 1000. The commi:
sioners finally decided that the prope
way TO proceed would be TO call upo
the discriminators for an explanation
PAVING ORDINANCE.
An ordinance was passed calling 70
the paving OF Forty-fourth street b,
tween Seventh and Eleventh avenue,
The paving IL 20 be OF brick with
5-inoh concrete foundation covere