Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-12-22
CITY Commission
PROPOSE TO TAKE
OLD PHONE PLANT
Consider Ordinance Providing
Forfeiture of Union Elec-
trio Franchise.
RIVAL COMPANY IN DEAL?
lntimation Made That Move is 70
cheekmate Contemplated Action
of Bell Concern.

An ordinance providing that all of
the property of the defunct Union Elec-
trio Telephone company be forfeited
to the city, because of failure to live
up TO the terms of the franchise grant
ed the company several years ago, was
offered by Mayor H. NJ. Schriver at
the meeting of the city commission
yesterday afternoon. The measure
provides that the plant be dismantled
at once.
1t was intimated that the Bell Tele-
phone company is beginning to use
some of the poles and other equip
ment of the bankrupt company and
that this was preparatory to a con-
templated move on the part of the Bell
company to take over all the other
property of its late rival. 1t was
charged that Attorney w. B. Mann.
Chicago, former counsel for the Bell
company, had charge of the leasing of
the Office building on Fourth avenue
to the Eagles who are temporarily us
ing the structure for lodge purposes,
pending the completion of their new
home.
Hold Special Meeting.
The ordinance which had been pre-
pared by City Attorney ]. +. Witter
was read and discussed. II was de-
cided that a more minute description
of the location of the Office building of
the company should be contained in
the measure and City Attorney Witter
was instructed TO make other minor
changes and have it ready for consid
Grafton again at a special meeting of
the commission to be held this after
noon.
The measure. which it is expected
will precipitate a big legal battle, pro-
vides that the commissioner of streets
and public Improvements be instructed
to take possession at once of all of the
property and equipment of the defunct
company, because the company has
failed to keep up its plant in proper
repair. The dangerous condition of
the wires and cables of the company |
was referred to as well as the alleged \
attempt of the Bell to take over the |
plant. The franchise provides that at
any time an attempt is made to put I
the plant into the hands of a rival COM |
pany, the rights of the concern be
and the property reverts to
the city.
would take possession of the plant
was discussed. Mayor Schriver sug-
yested that he put a new lock on the
loor and give key to the present ten
lants. notifying them that the city now
claims ownership and that the rent be
laid the city instead of Attorney
Mann as at present.
Train Shed Problem.
The matter of the erection of a train
he'd at the Burlington station was dis
.ussed again and it was decided to
AXE the project up with the public
Utilities commission to see if that body
claimed Jurisdiction in the premises.
t was thought that if the commission
would agree to handle the matter, this
would be the easiest way to solve the
roblem.
J. J. Ingram of the firm of Walker,
ingram and Sweeney, attorneys for
he Burlington, was present at the ,
Meeting with F. A. Riddell, local agent, J
nd explained that the shed which .
Archie Hart has so :
;armly advocated, could not be erect
d because of physical reasons. He ,
eclared that it would be impossible
o erect supports on the present plat y
orm, because they would prevent the !
andling of freight. He stated it {
'ould not be possible to abandon the i
outh track as suggested and claimed :.
o other arrangement of the trackage
,uld be made on the ground the COM "
any is using.
is New Reason. I
Commissioner Hart hrouoht nut tho | N
Ict that this was a new reason the
ompany was giving for not making
le improvement. He said that
had been the contention of the COM
any in the past that the expenditure
Duld not be made because of the ques- n
on of rights to the land which the \
)mpany occupies. The company
aims perpetual rights to the land, Z
hich was a public street and con- a
nuation OF Second avenue. I,
Attorney Ingram admitted that fbis