The Fight for Cheaper Calls
City council debates regulating telephone rates and forcing lines underground in a push to modernize Seattle's infrastructure.
The story, cleaned up
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The board of aldermen last evening ordered an ordinance prepared putting all the wires on Front and Second streets under ground within ninety days, and another ordinance lowering telephone rates to $4 and $3 a month. The ordinance granting a franchise to S. H. Piles and associates to erect poles for a telephone company sparked a debate. Dr. Sweeney recommended against granting new franchises, arguing that one properly regulated company would serve the public interest better than competition that causes a 'forest of poles' in the streets. Piles, representing the company, objected to the amendments and asked that action be deferred. Following further discussion, the council ordered an ordinance prepared for the next meeting to mandate the $4 business and $3 residence rates.
“I believe that but one telephone company properly regulated will subserve public interest better than by granting to as many as may apply.”
This debate over corporate regulation and the clutter of overhead utility lines foreshadows a century of arguments about how public space should be used and who bears the cost of service.
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