Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 236, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 October 1913 — UTILITIES COMMISSION CONSIDERING FRANCHISE [ARTICLE]

UTILITIES COMMISSION CONSIDERING FRANCHISE

Judge Clark Conducted Hearing at Francesville to Determine Tele- • phone Application. Delos Thompson, J. J. Montgomery, B. N. Fendig and Attorney Moses Leopold attended a bearing conducted'by Judge Clark, of the Public Utilities Commission at Francesville Wednesday. The purpose of the meeting was to determine whether or not a new franchise should be granted to a Francesville company. The present franchise at that place and Monon is held by A. E. Malsburg, of Lafayette, formerly of Remington. The Francesville Tribune gives the following account of the hearing: “Judge Clark, of the Public Service Commission of Indiana, held a public hearing here yesterday, to investigate the merits of the petition signed by some seventy local telephone patrons who complained about the service given by the Francesville Telephone Co. The petition also asked the commission to authorize the town board to grant Wilson Timmons a franchise to operate a central energy system or something equivalent. Quite a number of the patrons appeared before Judge dark and testified that the service here, both local and long distance, was not very good. Men who operate plants In other towns nearby were also before the board to testify about service and equipment. “A. E. Malsbary, of Lafayette, who owns the Francesville and Monon systems, testified In behalf of his interests and the present condition of his plant here. He stated that their work had been greatly set back on account of sleet and wind storms, but he was rebuilding his lines as rapidly as possible and had spent almost $6,000 for equipment on the Francesville plant since January Ist. He stated that he intended to build a line from here to Winamae In a short time and. would make other improvements to increase the efficiency of the service. The commission will not give its decision in the matter for some time.