The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1912-01-06
10 Bell Telephone Company
and, OrdgFs Erection Of
Railroad Gates.

4
While the Bell Telephone Company
has g franchise here, it is not able to
make changes in its system demanded
on acc66ht 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 few weeks ago
for new franchise, at the same time
submitting It's own prepared one for
adoption. That franchise did not suit
the council and the ordinance COM
lmittee reported one at Friday nights
meeting of the council as substi-
tute and It was adopted by unani-
nous vote, notwithstanding that
representative Of the company pro-
tested and informed the council that
he felt that the company would never
accept the same. While 1t is 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 a 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
nents 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.
ell and there are many other proyi-
slons intended to protect the inter
osts 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 II or it will not get other
than the old one: one feature of 1t
the: company may, not be very we'll
Fpleased with is the provision for
\ eight free telephones as shown by the
fact that J, although. enjoying, fran
chise privileges all these years, the
company has never offered to give the
city free telephone service.
"A petition ofrrthe, Bell Telephone
Company to be- permitted to set cerr
tain poles was tabled.
The street committee was told to
/ act on complaint that sidewalks on
Fiorence streetiwere badly in need OF
repair
e. J; costeilos application for per-
mission to build one-story restaur-
and Structure on North Second street
near the Met Q0aist church was re-
iected.
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 pear Highland
Park It 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
t.k R. Hickman for a rear room in the
swager building upon condition that
he 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 Gradinertsuit 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:
M. F.. vanpelt ....... !..... $500
Light and Heat Co. -, x, 1881. so
Electric Light Co. ...,...... $7S7 80
G. N. Van voorhis ........... $3.50