The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1916-07-18
KLAMATH FALLS. OREGON
TUESDAY, JULY 70, 1915
HoooWiNk THE COUNCIL

T is quite evident that the oficials
1 Of the Pacific Telephone Z Tele-
graph company are laboring under the
impression that they own the city of
Klamath Falls. and that the streets are
built and improved for their sole use
and benefit. The rights Of the tar.
payers and property owners are not
even recognised by this corporation.
and they imagine that their network Of
wires and poles can be placed any
where. irrespective Of the annoyance
or Inconvenience they may cause the
general public.
The latest instance Of arrogance Of
this public service corporation In
Klamath Falls Il their action ON Con-
ger avenue. Here II . popular drive
way along the river. through . purely
residence section. This strip Of prop
erty was never plated into town lots,
but some years ago the owners gener-
ously donated to the city . roadway
thirty feet wide. With four foot side
walk along one aide Of the street, Just
sAmcient room remains for two auto
mobiles or teams to safely pass. As
the east side Of the roadway skirts the
foot Of hill. 1t has been used In the
past for the erection Of electric light
and telephone poles.
Finally this corporation discovered |
that there was a piece Of street down
there along the river whose natural
beauty was not marred BY unsightly |
poles and wires. SO they Immediately
proceeded to force q line through ON
the opposite side Of this very harrow
drive way. Such thing a. consulting
he property owners or first getting the
permission Of the city authorities, was
never even considered BY the repre-
'entatives Of this company. Educated
n the belief that they owned the
'treets. they placed . force Of men 1t
FORK digging holes and piling rocks
md poles along the street, until q
member Of the city council ordered
hem to stop. on complaint OF . prop
'rty owner.
Objections were made to the council
md . hearing was had. at which the
ompany was refused permission to
rect poles on the west side Of the
treet unless they nrst secured Der.
Mission from the interested property
wners. Knowing that this was impos- h
ible. the property owners considered IA
hat the matter was settled. Imagine Il
heir surprise. however. when three L
'eeks later representatives Of the com. Il
any appear before the council, with
ut the knowledge Of the property own :
re-, and during the absence of the
ounctlman from their ward. and by
resenting q petition signed by i've :
ames. four Of whom are owners Of =
operty not affected. and By Other mis-. .
presentations. obtained the consent
the council to erect . line Of poles. :,
here they win ruin the convenience .
ffamc. and prevent the property
wnsrs from carrying out their plan Of =
aving- the street q
II 10 NO wonder that public sentiment =,
very often very bitter. even though :,
unreasonably 20. against =,
any public service corporations. They :. :
sver stop to consider the rights Of "
hers. or even the conviensnce OF the "
tisens through whose sufference they :,
. permitted to do business. until they =. -
. forced to do 80. either through the - :,
urts Or through the bitterness Of rub = =
opinion which they have aroused. y