The Seward gateway daily edition, and the Alaska weekly post., 1918-08-20
HELLO SYSTEM FRANCHISE IS
 UP TO DISCUSS

The ordinance granting a telephone franchise to S.M. Graft, his heIrs or assigns, took up the greater part of the session of the city council last night and the ordinance passed to sec ond reading, section by section Mayor Hoben and all councilmen were pres ent at the meeting.
 The telephone franchise sections were all passed as presented with the exception of the first, fifth and seven tn. A clause was adopted to the first section authorizing the term for the eXiStance of the franchise for only 20 years, confirming to the territorial laws, and no poles shall be erected on Broadway between Jefferson street and railway Avenue, other than nc,. essary and required for the crossing of Broadway on the lines of the streets.
 A clause was added to Section : that reasonable diligence be exercis- ed when buildings were being moved whereby telephone lines or cables must be cut and that half of the expen -Se be borne by those causing the var iouS breaks.
 Section 2 came in for much discuss ion especially over the words treason able rates" to be charged. Councilmen Lucas stated that he believed mini mum rate should be stated or that the finance committee have power to re- gulate charges for resident, office or party lines.
 Attorney Morford said that he be lieved the words reasonable rates" would be constructed Co mean such charges as were reasonable when tho lines were extended or when the busi- ness of the company grew or fell off.
 Councilman Cotter stated that he be -lieved that the council had any pow CT to fix a rate of any public utility and Councilman Graef said that if = council had power to grant fran chiSe some power must be recognized as to the rates to be charged. MT. Graef stated that no rates should be charged as the outcome of malice but that all rates should be equitable This latter was found to be included in thls section Councilman Graft, who was not voting on any of the sections, stated that the reason why a fran chise was asked for at this time wa- for protection in the future when the matter would be bound to come up re- lative to electric light wires and tele- phone lines being on Seperate poles or SO far apart Mr. Graft stated that all public utility commissions always re- gulatcd these matters, as in every large city, and the present franchise was one regarding telephone system relating to the distribution.
 The reasonable rate' portion was passed up until later but another claC- e was passed that the ordinance shall e submitted to a vote of the electors f the municipality of Seward at it's pext municipal election { next April ] md when approved by majority 'ote of the electors at such election, the ordinance shall be in full force md effect.
 Chairman Cotter reported that the roof of the school building had been completed and the bill of Brosius & Noon, for S4SS.10, for the work, was ordered paid.
 The fire and water committee wa instructed to secure new hydrants aI the foot of Adams street and at the .orner of Broadway and Washington street.
 City Clerk Reed was instructed to lSk US. District Court Clerk Lang, O remit license money due the city of Seward to the present date.
 Councilman Graef was granted per mission to make certain improve mentS to the rear of his buildings whereby the alley would be used for q time for excavation purposes.