Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-09
MOVE TO FORFEIT
UNION ELECTRIC
CHARTER is MADE
Resolution introduced to City
Council by Commissioner
Reynolds.
INQUIRE INTO OWNERSHIP
Company, Franchised in 1908, He
Says, No Longer Gives General
Service.

To seek 10 come TO a tacit under
standing OF the status Of the Union
Electric Telephone and Telegraph
company and TO find what steps the
city may take in regard TO its fran
chise in event that the company il
not living up TO the terms Of its
charter through the general opera
ton OF its plant, is the purpose Of
the city commission as expressed in
resolution presented by Commits
Sioner X. X. Reynolds yesterday af-
ternoon at the weekly meeting Of the
municipal body. The resolution,
adopted unanimously upon presenta-
ton. instructs City Attorney J. F.
Witter 10 inquire into the franchise
10 see what right, II any, the city
may have in regard TO a forfeiture,
70 learn the ownership of the plant
and 10 find what procedure is TO be
taken in order to declare the fran.
chise forfeited. The commissioner
cites as the reason for the action the
fact that general service is no longer
rendered.
FRANCHISED IN 1905
The company in question was
granted It's new charter in 1908 fol-
lowing in the wake OF the Illinois In
dependent Telephone company which
was granted a charter in 1891. Re
Gently. under the provisions Of the
commission government under the
referendum vote, the company has
sought to have that portion of its
charter which forbids II 10 sell 10 a
competitor annulled so that it's local
plant might be sold. Two elections
on the matter failed TO grant the
cOmpany's desire. Since the last
election. according 10 the commits
siOner who presented the resolution
service has gradually fiickered and
has all but gone out. But one oper-
Ator, says he. carries on the duties
OF the exchange. connecting users OF
the phone throughout the tri-cities.
OWNERS TO REPAIR STREET.
Owners OF property on Eighteenth
street between Second and Third ave
nues we're granted permission yes.
terday afternoon on motion OF Com,
missioner Reynolds 10 make what re.
pairs are necessary in the street paw
ing at their own cost and under the
direction OF the city street depart,
ment. The Peoples Power company
and the Central Union Telephone
companies are 10 aid in the paving
Il is said, because the condition OF
the paving Is due TO improvements by
them.
The ordinance which is being
drafted by city Attorney Witter il
regard 10 gas and electric Ugh
meters has been arranged IN form
and yesterday Commissioner Rev
nolds stated that he would Withhold,
81 from formal consideration befor,
the commission until its points ha.
been studied in informal session
March and April light bill
amounting 10 S3,3s7 and credited I,
the Peoples Power company wer
ordered paid on motion OF Commits
sioner NJ. T. Rudgren
AFTER GRADING AGAIN.
That seemingly endless gradin,
question. accompanied as usual b.
the statement that the street ex
chequer IS without funds to ALLOW
improvements at the present wa
preached again yesterday Afternoon
when J. J. Cunningham again az
pcared before the commission {
learn II the city is in condition to TN
dertake the Improvement OF Invent!
eighth street by bringing It to grad
north OF Ninth avenue. Mr.. Cunning
ham has been seeking the improve
ment for many years and many c
the city fathers I'm years gone
have viewed the site. The commits
sion promised to have a peek at tn