The log cabin Democrat., 1912-09-23
SfEkS TO ANNUL
PHONE FRANCHISE
RESOLUTION is DRAFTED
COMPANY CLAIMS, HOWEVER
MAJORITY AGREE TO IN
CREASE IN RATES.

resolution seeking to annu the
franchise under which the Southwest
ern Telegraph and Telephone Com
pany are operating their exchange in
Conway will be introduced at tomor-
row nights meeting of the city coun-
ell, according to a statement made by
Alderman r. B. McCulloch Unsatis-
factory telephone service and an al
legged violation of the antitrust law
are set up as grounds for the anull-
ment of the franchise in the resolu-
ton, which has already been drafted
/ Mr.. McCulloch claims that service
rendered by the company since it has
been in possession of the exchange is
so poor as to constitute just ground
for the revocation of the franchise.
The further fact that the Southwest
ern company is buying up exchanges
all over the state for the purpose of
raising rates and sitting competi-
ton Mr.. McCuloch said, "is sufii
cient to justify the council in annull-
ing their franchise ON the grounds
that they are doing business in viola
ton Of the antitrust laws of the
state"
iittt ONCl lWO-Illli Us VI ltic lGlC-
phone subscribers here signed the pc
titon acquiescing in the proposed in
crease in rental rates was the decla-
ration of P. r. Ridgeley, who has
been representing the Southwestern
company in a canvass of the sub
scribers in this city. He states that
the work of rebuilding the plant here,
which is to be done at an estimated
cost of $4,000, will be started as
soon as the material can be placed on
the ground, it being the purpose of
the company to have the outside line
work finished before winter weather
sets in. Mr.. Ridgeley left the city
Saturday night and a statement from
him regarding the proposed annull-
ment Of the franchise could not be OBJ
tanned.
For the information of citizens in
terested the Log Cabin Democrat has
made a verbatim abstract of the pro
ceodingS of the council on September
l3, 1898, at which time the telephone
franchise was granted together with
copy of The ordinance. The fran
chise is for a period of 30 years and
unless annulled will therefore hold
for rs years, or until September l3,
1923. The abstract follows:
l. Sept. 18th, 1898.
"A regular meeting of the common
council of the Incorporated town of
Conway was held in the council cham
Der on September 18th, 1898. Mem
bers present, Mayor w. W. Martin,
Aldermen j A. Pence, f f. Slade
and w. b. Wilson, Recorder W. J
Wilkins. Absent, Aldermen Leo
Schwarz and W. NJ Harrell. :.
/ "An ordinance was entered grant
ing franchise to G. C. Milar and G..
H. Burr for erecting and operating a
telephone exchange in the town of
/ Conway and read the first time. The
rules We're suspended and ordinance
read second time by the following
vote: Ayes, W. w. Martin, w. B
Wilson, J A. Pence, E. E. Slade,
W. J Wilkins. Noes, none Absent,
w. NJ, Harrell and Leo Schwarz
Thcrcupon, the rules were suspended
and ordinance read third time by the
following vote: Ayes, w. b. Wilson,
j. A. Pence, h. f. Slade, w. w.
Martin, w. j Wilkins. Noes none.
Absent, w. NJ Harrell and Leo
Schwarz. Thereupon, the said ordi-
nance was put upon its final passage
and passed by the following vote /:
Ayes, j. A. Pence, W. w Martin,
+. +. Sladc, w. b Wilson, w. J !.
Wilkins. Noes, none Absent, w. NJ.
Harrel and Leo Schwarz
"The said ordinance is as follows.
to-wit:
An Ordinance Granting Franchise
for Erecting Telephone Exchange
in the Town of CONWAY
"Be it Ordained by the Common
Council of the incorporated Town
of Conway, Arkansas:
"Section |. That G. c. Millar and
G.. H. Burr, their heirs, executors,
administrators and assigns, are here
by granted the privilege of construct
ing and operating telephone ex-
change within the limits of the incor-
porated town of Conway, Faulkner
county, Arkansas, for period of
thirty 900 years.
Section 3 That the right to erect
poles, wires and fixtures on the
streets, alleys and public property,
and to eXcavate the public ways of
the town as may be necessary in the
construction and maintenance of said
telephone exchange, be and hereby is
dlleu 70 lHe sdlu VI. \. Mlllaf ana
G.. H. Burr, their heirs, executors,
administrators and assigns, provided
that the said parties shall not by
. their construction and maintenance Of
their plant obstruct or impair the
: condition of streets, alleys or other
public ways of said Incorporated
, town of Conway, or interfere with the
, free use of same by the public, and
/ provided that all poles, wires and fix
: lures shall be erected in such manner
, and in such places as may be satisfac-
tory to the improvement committee of
said town, and provided further that
! that If any street, alley or pavement
: shall be dug up for the setting OF
; poles or other purposes the same shall