Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-10-02
Assembly Against 50
Year Franchises

noon in discussion, Chairman Fisher
of the Legislative Committee, an
nounced that considerable Roadway
had been made in securing from the
various local legislative bodies the
promise that never again would they
grant a fifty year franchise.
The Ohio County Commissioners
have agreed to this, after fifty year
franchises were granted to the two
electric companies out the pike.
1t was decided to make formal re-
quest of the Wheeling City Council,
the City Board of Control. and the
West Virginia State Public Service
Commission.
The town of Benwood, recently Civ
ing franchise to the Brooke Electric
Company, limited it to 80 years, while
all the Wheeling legislative bodies
granted it for fifty years. And, in ad-
dition, the Benwood city council Sc
cured concessions which the Wheeling
law makers could not be induced to
ask for.
A motion by Delegate L. F. Sprouse
prevailed to thank the city officials OF
Benwood for the courtesy shown the
Assembly representatives in asking for
concessions in the Brooke franchise.
Bell Asks Franchise.
Chairman Fisher brought to the at
tention of the delegates that the Bell
company was asking franchise
through Marshall county and said that
this was a good opportunity to get a
union labor clause into that company's
franchise.
Endorse AssembIy's Act.
Vice President Armstrong reported
that a telegram had been received
from Garland Higgins, delegate OF
Local No. 81 to the convention at Bos-
ton OF the international Brotherhood
of Electrical Workers, endorsing the
plan Of the Ohio Valley Assembly to
raise funds to pay of the legal claims
set against the homes of the working
men by the Bell Telephone company
to pay the costs in the injunction suit
brought by the company against its
striking linemen six years ago, and
that an appeal throughout the country
was authorized.
sarbers' Case Progresses.
= The arbitration committee announc-
ed that the BARRIERS case was progress
ing.
Return Charter.
Chairman H. j. Ninness of the Or
ganization committee, reported that
the secretary of the Glass Smoothers'
local was unable longer to attend to
the business of the local, and that the
charter had been returned.
No S-Hour Bill.
In response to letter Of inquiry
from the Assembly, the secretary read
communication from the Department
of Labor, stating that there was no
eight-hour law in the District of Col
umbia.
Establish Sinking Fund.
The Assembly will decide at the
next meeting whether it will establish
q sinking fund. A motion to this eff
feet was introduced by Delegate H. P.
Corcorap, setting aside $500 for this
purpose, and providing that it could
not be used for any purpose except by
a four-fifths vote of the delegates. This
was amended to be considered as an
amendment to the bylaws by w. B.
Hilton, and so passed. Final action
will now be taken at the next meeting.
Comply With Law.
The Assembly voted to instruct the
trustees to comply with the state law
in the matter of drinking cups, in the
hall.
No Fire Escape.
It was brought out that the Assem-
bly, had been instructed to put up fire
escapes on the building. but that when
the reply was made that the Assembly
did not own the building, and that the
matter should be referred to the land
lord, that nothing else had been done.
The building was referred to as fire
trap, and much comment was made up
on the remarkable fact that no author
ity compelled the erection of fire
escapes.
Carmen to Help Firemen.
Delegate Bartlebaugh stated that
the Street Car men would help the
Firemen in their present attempt to
organize the power house of the
Wheeling Traction Company. EfforsS
have been made through several
years. and the Stationary Engineers
say that they spent hundreds of dol
lars In the futile attempt, but the
Firemen say that they will win now.
Cheers greeted Delegate Bartlebaugh's
announcement that Division 1903. of
motorn1en and conductors. had voted
to instruct their Executive Board to
place themselves at the disposal of the
Fremen at any time for any service
that they could render.
Explains Plan.
George Morgan. promoting a stock
corporation to be known as the United
Pure Food Company. was given the
floor and explained his proposition. II
is to incorporate for $250,000 author
lied capital, with $4,000 paid in, and
establish chain Of retail stores in the
Wheeling district, the claim being that
with the large buying capacity and sell
ing for cash, that a Is per cent re.
auction can be made below prevailing
snocery prices. He said that he de.
sired to interest as many union men
as possible in the matter, and promis.
ed that union conditions would be OBJ.
served by the company.
New Delegates.
Harry E. Piepers and Alvin s.
Weeks were obligated as new dele
gates Of Painters No. 81.
Receipts and Expenses.
The receipts Of the meeting were: