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Show w BLACK'S AMENDED FRANCHISE. PjTiT for the action of Councilman Hartcnsteln, who wanted "the public" to havo a chnnco to seo whether it was a good thing or not, tho city council would havo passed an amended amend-ed franchise, offered by BInek, at. tho session last Alonday evening. Hint-onsteln Hint-onsteln made an nppeal for tho publicity pub-licity tho newspapers would give tho matter, and tho eight members who have lined up against tho proposed franchise, submitted by the company, consented to let It go over. As a result re-sult of the parliamentary proceedings proceed-ings tho now ordinance- will come up on its third reading, when tho council coun-cil meets again. For somo unaccountable reason Fornstrom, Barnes and E. II. Davis remained away, nnd Tuddonham, Preeco nnd Hewlett wero tho only ones favoring tho company's ordinance ordi-nance present. Black asked that tho ordinance pending bo read a second time by title, which was done, whereupon where-upon ho offered an amended ordinance, ordi-nance, which was read. Ho then mado the point that tho amendment having been accepted nnd road, was In Itself tho ordinance, and therefore this was tho third reading. This was a sort of surprlso to tho other members, but tho opponents of tho measuro asked for by tho Consolidated wore quick to take advantngo of tho opportunity, and the matter so stands. There was a Httlo squabblo over tho right of Alayor Pro Tom. Davis voting, but ho pulled an opinion from tho city attorney which declared ho had the right, and tho objections wero of no avail, although Tuddonham Tuddon-ham thought Davis had no moral right to vote. The new ordinance Is practically tho same as the old ono with respect to tho charges to bo mado for lights, tho number of lights to bo furnished the city, tho power to bo furnished free and tho rales to bo chnrged tho city for power used in excess of tho nmount furnished free, tho prico of street car fares and tho cost of books of tickets being tho samo as in tho original ordinance. But thero aro somo restrictions and conditions imposed. In tho first placo tho life of tho franchlso Is limited to forty-flvo years. That is flvo years less than the term asked for. Tho company must rebuild Its lino nnd oporato cars thereon to Lako Brcozo on or before December 1, 1905. If It does not It forfeits all Its franchises on Second South from Alain street west to tho city limits. Tho company Is bound to construct lines either singlo or double-track on Second West from Eighth to Ninth South; also on Ninth West, from Fourth North to tho northern boun dary of tho city; also from Second West and Sovonth North along tho county road to Hot Springs, nnd thence north to tho city limits. If It does not It forfeits its 'rights to tho uso of those streets. Lights for schools, -hospitals, asylums, asy-lums, churches and other charitable Institutions must be furnished at half price, provided the use of such light must be reasonable. Tho transfer of tho lands at tho mouth of Big Cottonwood canyon Is mndo more explicit in defining the rights of tho city and tho restrictions imposed In the old frnnehlse aro abolished abol-ished and tho city given more protection. protec-tion. Tho clause relating to Improvements Improve-ments In lighting or power service Is also slightly amended. Tho ordinance will no doubt pass ns amended. It wns leferred to tho city attorney, with Instructions to report re-port at the next meeting, although It was stated by Black that tho city attorney at-torney had already seen it and passed upon it mid pronounced it good, he having drawn it. As the matter stands it looks us if this new ordinance Is ofleied ns a sort of compromise aiid seeing nothing in it that can bo construed con-strued ns being against either tho city or tho Consolidated, wo hope It will pass and that for forty-flvo years wo will have a rest. By tho tlmo It expires ex-pires most of us will havo gone to a land whero overhead wires aro no longer a nuisance and whero collecting collect-ing fnre twice in n trip of seven miles will be unknown. This now franchise extends the tlmo of tho present franchises fran-chises only three years, and posterity can stnnd It that long without any trouble. By tho time tho franchise runs out trolley cars nnd arc lights will be relics of a half forgotten past so what's the difference? |