The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1918-01-05

IL uOU Ouly COuoluCAO S OiAUSA
some but entirely out of har-
mony with strict demands
for economy and conservation
throughout the land.
Those who have resided in Du-
luth for generation hold the
Duluth Telephone company pri-
marily responsible for this bur
densome and wasteful condition.
Eighteen years ago, the Du-
luth Telephone company oper-
ated less than 1000 telephones in
Duluth and Superior. There were
no rural connections. The ser
vice was slow, the operators i'm
pudent and the management very
cocky and arrogant.
For the insults and rotten SER
vice the public was charged $72
a year for the best business SER
vice and $50 year for the best
residence service.
Today, as a result of competi-
ton, one can get both office and
resident service for what office
service formerly cost.
The Zenith Telephone compa-
ny's rates are lower still but
maintaining the service Of both
systems, as most citizens are com
PEELED to do, makes an extreme
ly heavy financial burden.
Away back in 1898, the service
of the Duluth Telephone com
pany became so unsatisfactory
that the people sought relief
through the common council. 1t
was in 1898 that Alderman
Frank Crassweller drew up a call
for bids on franchise for an in
dependent telephone company. II
was thought that the franchise
Of The Duluth Telephone compa.
ny was near expiration and that
relief to the people and benefit
to the municipality could be Sc.
cured by means of a wisely
worded franchise safely given to
a new company.
Frank Crassweller and j. B
Richards drew up the franchise
It eventually was sought by R
H. Evans, of Chicago and associ
ates, most Of the latter being To-
cal men.
The franchise was passed
March 10, 1899. Among the many
provisions in the franchise were
the following, viz:
Space was provided on the tor
cross arm for the cable, carrying
wires of the police and fire de-
partment alarm systems, without
cost to the city.
Rates charged for telephones
should be reasonable at all times
After five years, the city
should have the right to buy the
plant, the price being subject tt
arbitration if mutual agree
ment proved impossible.
Sixty days after completion
of the plant, Evans was bound tt
furnish the city council, moi
later than February in each yeal
with a verified statement Of thu
plants, appliances. cost anc
value of same.
Evans was required to put up s
certified check in the sum Of
$500 as a guarantee of accep
tance Of the franchise. Later
he filed a bond in the sum Of
$4,000 for completion of thu
plant.
The franchise provided fol-
public telephones at such cen
trail sections Of the city as Lake
side, Duluth Heights, Fond dr
Lac, etc., the public not to b.
charged more than 10 cents for &
five minutes talk.
No sale or assignment of the
franchise should be valid with
out the consent of the city. ANY
assignment to creditors or any
unsatisfied judgment, running
two months without appeal, pro
vided for a termination of The
franchise.
It was provided that the fran
chise become effective on it's pas
sage and publication and that
work should start before April l
1899, and that there be at least
l5O patrons by January 1, 1900
That time, later, was extended tt
March 1, 1900.
The franchise was granted fol
a period Of Is years.
The franchise also carefully