The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1912-01-11
COUNCIL GRANTS
SAFE FRANCHISE
To Bell Telephone Company
and Orders Erection OF
Railroad Gates.

While the Bell Telephone Company
e has franchise here, it is not able tc
make changes in It's system demanded
on account of the growth Of its bust
ness in the city. especially in the mat
ter Of installing an underground
; system in part, and accordingly it
asked the council a few weeks ago
for new franchise, at the same time
submitting its own prepared one for
adoption. That franchise did not suit
the council and the ordinance com
mittee reported enc At T-,day night )
meeting of the council as substi-
tute and it was adopted by unani-
nous vote, notwithstanding that a
representative of the company pro-
tested and informed the council that
he felt that the company would never
accept the. same. While it is a fifty
year franchise, it contains careful
provisions for the protection OF the
city and its citizens. The council re-
serves the right to say how the streets
shall be used by the company. That
body is given power to regulate, rates
in such way as, to prevent excessive
charges. Provision is made for the
laying of an, annual license tax on
the company, Merging. with other
companies or entering. into agree
ments with them for the purpose OF
raising rates and destroying compe-
tition therein is prevented by the fran
chise without the assent Of the coun-
Gil and there are many other provi-
sions intended to protect the inter
ests of the people. Mayor Moore and
others urged the fairness of the
measure and it was adopted by unan-
imous vote as stated. The impress
sion prevails that the company will
either accept it or it will not get other
than the old one. One feature OF It
the company may not be very we'll
pleased with is the provision for
eight free telephones as shown by the
fact that although enjoying fran
chise privileges all these, years, the
company has never offered to give the
city free telephone service.
A petition of the Bell Telephone
Company to be permitted to set GER
tain poles was tabled.
The street committee was told to
act on complaint that sidewalks on
Florence street were badly in need OF
repair.
c., J. Costello's. application for per-
mission to build one-story restaur-
and structure on North Second street
near the Methodist church was re-
jected
The city attorney was instructed,
to sue out a writ Of mandamus seek
ing to compel the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad Company to erect and main
tain gates at the tracks Of the COM
pany in West Pike street and the
West Milford road near Highland
Park. 1t was ordered that the rail-
road company lower its tracks to
street grade in West Pike street at
that point.
Pat Langdon was granted hotel
license.
A picture show license was given
j. R, Hickman for a rear room in the
swager building upon condition that
The maintain, a permanent partition
between the room and his saloon and
/. close, and keep closed a door entering
the saloon from the hallway leading
to the proposed picture show room.
The city attorney was directed to
permit judgment for $500 and costs
to be taken against the. city in the
Alice Gradiner suit against the city
for damages for personal injuries
sustained in falling on sidewalk out
OF repair, provided the same not be
collected until after the present fis-
cal year.
Bills were allowed as follows;
NJ. F. vanpelt ...,....-...... $500
Light and Heat Co. 80. -. sSs1,6O
Electric Light Co. ,........ $7S7sO
G. N Van Voorhis ........ $3.50
orie Myers ........... 80. s4,7o
G. NJ. West ........ .......,.. SS6.lS
]. F Lawman and brother 49,. 1883
D. H. Feitner ........ ........ $91.SS
Dr.. G. w. Lawman .......,,... $500
c. P. Keeley and Co, .....s $1,22s. 4S
4 John Terry .....h....,.,.,... $4,000
# AS a license court the council