Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-08-07
CITY COUNCIL
HEARS REPLIES
OF PHONE MEN
Northwestern Co. Not in
Favor Of Physical Con-
nsetion Here.

nection Here.
AT the regular monthly meeting o,
the city council held last evening, the
communications from the Northwest
ern and Tri-State Telephone com.
panies, recently filed with the special
franchise committee, were brought ur
whitman, proving that the suggestion
OF. Mayor James A. Dinnie, made in
hissannual address, that a physical
connectiongbe established here, is en-
tireiy possible.
The special committee, comprised
Of Chairman w. S. Whitman, Owen
Young, Louis Kleven, Fred L. Good
man and u. ID. Turner, have spent no
little time In investigating the propo-
sttion. and In the final report declared
that 1t was their belief that such q
connecuon was practicable, and urged
that q further investigation be con
Quoted.
The Tri-State Telegraph and Tele-
phone company claims nc perpetual
franchise. holding that rights of OPP
eration in the city of Grand Forks
are governed by the public utility
law OF North Dakota. The Company
contends that the power Of fixing
rates and sAs to the regulation of
service rests in the hands of the state
railroad commissioners, and not with
the municipality.
The Tri-State company claims that
Asphysical connection in this city is
possible. both for local and long dis
lance calls, and that the operation
under such system would in no way
impair the plant or decrease the eff
cheney Of service. The company,
however, contends that damage to
commercial interests must be guard
ed against by rate regulation. c. B.
Randall, secretary of the T-i-State
company was the official to forward
the report.
Northwestern Knocks idea.
The reply from the Northwestern
Telephone company differed to some
extent. inasmuch as that company
claims that the franchise held is per-
petual, having been issued in terri
torial days and now controlled by the
state and not the municipality. The
company admits, however, that a
physical connection between the two
lines IN the city would be possible.
but believes that such a venture
would be impracticable from many
standpoints in their opinion, the serv-
ice could not be given without dam
age to the properties. The use Of
such q system Is objected to by the
company, for both local and toll serv-
Ice, unless adequate compensation il
made for the use of the property.
y. 3. Wilson. commercial superinten-
dent OF h Northwestern company
claims that a physical connection will
no. beeof benefit to the telephone US
err mol serve the purpose which the
City desires
To Investigate.
Following the reading of the re-
ports the committee recommended
that Mayor James A. Dinnie. City At
torney George A. Bangs and Alder
man W. 8. Whitman be named a COM
mittee to investigate the conditions
existing at Lacrosse, Wis, GAINESVILLE
and Owatonna, where physical con-
nectton lines are now in operation.
SERVICE rates, efficiency Of service and
the practical value Of the connection
will be considered. When put to a
votessAiderr1an Bird and Peterson
objected to the investigation by the
COMMITTEES, but the Recommendation
eaRffads@snstsRs
The findings Of the committee dur
Ing 3 Investigation in the other
cities will prove an important factor
when the final decision is made by
SA0 SOuIlCll FSldLIV0 TO the SSLa Dl1Sn-
ment Of the physical connection.
Water Problem Up.
The report Of the water works
committee relative to the proposition
made several weeks g by the Red
the operation Of the city pumping
station and equip the plant with
electrically operated machinery,
brought up a discussion, in which ].
~ Donaid5 and W. H. Brown, repre-
senting the power company, spartici-
pated: The report Of Calvin c.
Crouch. of the University Of North
Dakota. who is representing the city,
MADE to h power company previ-
reported to be incomplete.
An early decision vas recommend
ed by members of the council, in or
der that the annual budget could be
prepared to cover the expense that
may be incurred. 1t is expected that
Dean Crouch will file a complete re-
port within the next few days. when
representatives of the power COM
pany and the water works committee
will gather to inspect the plans and
specifications. and estimate the. cost
Of making the change. With the com
pietion of the preliminary details. a
special meeting of the city council
Will be, called to definitely settle the
issue.
Licenses Granted.
The city council last evening grant
ed licenses to William Wilson as
house mover, Sam Miller, A. Foy,
Tom Whalen and M. j. Londergan to
operate drays and to "a auto hack
drivers. Miss Nelson Of the Whittei-
shofer block was refused permission "a
place q display case on the sidewalk
in front of that building on Third
street.
The usualvmonfhly bills were taken
up, together with the reports of ali
city officials, and all were accepted,
Some discussion arose as to the In.
ef1ctencyfof the superintendent OF the
city abattoir, but the matter was fin.
ally left In the hands OF q commit.
tee. report OF Secretary C. y
Garyin OF the fire department relief
assnctation was also accepted and the
city auditor was instructed to Issue
warrant 70 that organization fol
y halt OF the $l,638.55 received
from the state.
Need Sprinkler.
The need Of a motor driven stree,
sprinkler was also discussed, but no
Aetion was taken, although the ecup-
Gil contended that such an appar.