Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 March 1900 — THE TELEPHONE FRANCHISE [ARTICLE]

THE TELEPHONE FRANCHISE

Some objections bad been made by the city attorney to the ordinance granting a franchise to the Halleck Telephone Co., which was presented at the last meeting, and the former drafted a new ordinance which embraced all the features of the old franchise, added some minor features and prevents the franchise from being disposed of without the consent of the council. This action would delay the matter a few weeks, the introduction of the new ordinance retiring the old one, which had been passed to second reading, to the rear. Councilman Eger moved that the rules be suspended and the new ordinance be adopted, but other members of the council appeared to be unfriendly to any independent company meddling with the preserves of the Bell and Jasper County Telephone Co., in Rensselaer, and the motion was lost for want of a second. Councilman Murray then moved that the ordinance be referred to the ordinance committee. (It will be remembered that this was done with the Central Union Co., about a year ago, and the ordinance has never been heard from since. Since that time the Jasper County Telephone Co., entered into a combination with the Central Upion or Bell people. The burying of the ordinance, no doubt, was a good thing financially for the former company but not very good for the people, as the latter company is a heavy taxpayer on its lines, while the former is exactly the opposite.) Evidently remembering that the, action in burying the Central Union ordinance was still fresh in the minds of their constituents, no one wanted to take the responsibility of seconding this motion, and it was also lost. Councilman Eger next moved that the ordinance be passed to second reading; second by Councilman Dean and motion was carried. A sort of a general discussion of telephone matters was then indulged in by the city attorney, members of the council and Mr. Halleck, who was present, and who replied to his opponents on every criticism presented. The ordinance is not yet through the council by any means, and it may never get through. Its opponents seem desirous of delaying matters, and if they can delay it until after the spring election and a Jasper County Telephone and Indiana Macadam Co., council is elected, the people need expect no reduction in telephone rates, no free toll service and no independent telephone company to enter Rensselaer for many moons to come. Following claims were allowed: Chas. Freeland, hauling cinderss 2 50 Joseph Brook, work on street 1 75 Geo. Platt, “ “ “ 1 57 John S. Ramey ” “ “ 67 Whita & Marion, repairs on hitch rack 50 J H Hoover, work on street 1 20 Logan Nichols “ “ “ 75 James E. Ennes “ “ “ 75 White A Marion, rebate license fee.... 10 00 Leslie Clark, printing and stationary. 9 00 B F Feudig, electric light globes 9 92 C 8 Chamberlain, salary to Feb. 15.... 30 00 Lem Huston, “ “ “ 22 50 Peter Giver. “ “ “ “.... 22 50 General Electric Co., electric supplies 321 Central Electric Co, “ “ 4 52 Crane Co. repairs, etc. 75 Nowles. Sayler-Lum. Co coal & ha’ling 389 60 D E Hollister, salary 22 50 White A Marion, pipes, fitting, etc 9 32 Chas. E. Mills, insurance on pumps.. 6 75 Fblts, Spitler A Kurrje *• “ “ 675