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Show THINK TELEPHONE TOTJKMILS Salt Lake, April H. Declaring that the Utah Independent Telephone crn-pany crn-pany had been accused of selling the greater portion of its capital stock to the Bell Telephone company, and that If such bo the case the people of the city and state are not only being robbed rob-bed through a flagrant monopoly, but that the Independent company Is operating oper-ating under a franchise subject to Immediate Im-mediate forfeiture, Councilman L. E. Hall Introduced a resolution at last night's special session of the city fathers fath-ers providing that the council president presi-dent appoint a special committee to Investigate the charges and determine whether the company's franchise is not null and void in accordance with its conditions. The presentation of the measure caused a furore in the council, and it was finally laid over until Mondny night's meeting. The resolution follows- ''Whereas, the persistent rumors that the majority of the stock of the Utah Independent Telephone company is now owned by the Bell Telephone company have reached the dignity of an article published In 'Telephony,' a telephone journal published at' Chicago, Chi-cago, of date March 25, 1911; now, therefore be it "Resolved, that the president of this council nppolnt a special committee com-mittee to Investigate said rumors and the charges made In said published article to determine whether tho franchise fran-chise of the Utah Independent Telephone Tele-phone company, granted by thin city Is not subject to forfeiture, and that the mayor, city attorney and president presi-dent of this council be members of said committee." When the measure was read, Coun-cllman Coun-cllman Hall made a lengthy talk in which he referred to current reports and anonymous letters thoi had been received by city officials, In which 10 was charged that the company had violated the terms of its franchise by virtually selling out to a competitive firm that, although its service was operated op-erated under the guise of IHng a separate and distinct concern, its every ev-ery move was personally dictated by H Vance Lane of the Bell company,-and company,-and that the people were consequently consequent-ly robbed by being forced to pay for two systems, when in fact thev wore both the same. Mr Hall said In part: "In the firsj. place I want to read the following extract from the ordinance ordin-ance granting the company a franchise: fran-chise: 'It is the avowed Intention of the said corporation and its Incorporators Incorpora-tors and promoters to remain at all times an independent teleslione company, com-pany, having no connectloii with any other telephone company whatsoever, nnd to keep the management and control con-trol of the said company In tho hands of actual and bona fide residonts of the state of Utah, to tho end that tho largest possible benefits accruing from the operations of the said company shall be, and remain, with the people of the state of Utah.' "Now the frnnchiFo was granted under un-der the expressed provisions of the extract I have Just read. Therefore, if these charges are truo, and thev have been cast around so openly that th6 publication referred to In my resolution reso-lution was made, the Independent company Is Operating illegally In that its franchise Is void by its own provisions pro-visions "I believe the matter ought to be investigated to the 'bottom and If these things are true, the franchise of the company should by all means be declared de-clared forfeited. The company officials offi-cials cannot refuse to answer the charges. The interstate commerce law will figuratively apply in this case." Councilmen McKinncv, Lyno and Fernstrom at once sided with the author au-thor of the resolution, endorsing his remarks. They recited how the Bell company established its service in the cltv about fifteen years ago, declaring that the ratos wero exorbitant and the service poor, and that when tho Independent company later applied for a franchise It was granted with the understanding un-derstanding that the firm would not sell out to other interests. It was thought, they said, that by vlrtuo of competition, both systems would Install In-stall bettor sen-Ice and make better rates to relieve the situation. Remedy Not In Sight Councilman Reedall said that while he was awaro of tho reports referred to, he was not wholly assiircd that a forfeiture of the Independent company's com-pany's franchlso would Improve conditions. con-ditions. "The Independent pconlo forced the Bell interests to better thMr service," ho said, "and I am satisfied that had It not been for the rates of tho newer company tho rates of the older firm would have been placed fo high that the average man would have been paving pav-ing as much for one sysjem as he Is for both now. It may be found advisable ad-visable to let the Independent company com-pany operate after all, If; the qccusn- V tions are true, even though it should f; (jyjrj become known that the company Is V an nnxiliarv of the Bell interests.'4 V m Cpuncilm'an I yne said that hp did $ not believe the Bell company wjuld 5 raipp rales, in that It appeared to ho $ their policv to reduce thenw:ommen- ' surhto with tho en-pinion cf the'r i- business He said-that In the last "Afe twenty voa'-3 the rate for se'rvlce had r 3l of r toeen reduced about thirty-three anJ ons-thlrd per con. . v , The discussion brought out theact ', "W. thit the people wore Importuned to ,' fty support tho Independent compan, l f while It was Btruggllnsi for n fran- chlse. that afterward they were as- r6 sured that the comnany would remain J; yth absolutely Independent, and that the lii frnn,chise was made automatically self- Jj jjjj, revoking if the company ever passed l into the control of any competing com- "Ii pany. i k gfc It was also Intimated that the Bell ; Bau company. If the charges were true, Nlato was in open violation of the anti-trust '; ltn law;? by acquiring a competing com- SBn pany's stock, and that In such a casa ) iict the profits of the Independent com 3 . pany, Instead of remaining here anions i faa its original promoters, were going - 8un east to enrich the stockholders o( the ! y: larger telephonic interests. The mat- i fc ter was laid over until Monday, when ;, ij It is expected to be finally acted upon, l . |