San Antonio Daily Light

SOME PERTINENT QUESTIONS
Shall the City Give Mr. Weiss Another Free Franchise?
To the Editor:
The real issue is: Shall the Council grant a franchise to Mr. Weiss? Some years ago such a franchise was granted in order that he might compete with the Gas Company. What was the result? Did the people get any of the benefits of competition then? Will they get any benefits now? The poles and wires erected by Mr. Weiss' company proved a great menace to the public and were so unsightly on the public streets that they had to be removed by the present owner. Mr. Weiss pocketed the benefits. It will hardly be presumed that he now proposes to invest his profits for the public good. The Mutual Electric franchise was not assignable save with the consent of the City Council. When Mr. Weiss wished to assign the consent was obtained. Is it not apparent that a similar purpose is now the active force behind this movement? The Council and the people are in favor of honest competition, but they are not in favor of being buncoed by a sham. If the Council will withdraw the present indefinite and uncertain proposition and submit to the people the true issue: shall the Council grant a franchise to Wm. H. Weiss—the expression would mean something and be a guide to the Council as to what they should do. Is the Mayor sincere when he says that he has so many complaints of the present company? Wrong? If he be so satisfied why not investigate the matter if the fact (if it be a fact) present company is not living up to the contract. He made the contract. He knows that he has the power to exercise it.
The question was first raised by the applicants—Weiss and McKenzie—the latter was eliminated by the Mayor and Mr. Weiss became the only applicant. The Mayor worked night and day laboriously (with the assistance of Mr. Weiss) in framing a franchise to Mr. Weiss. Why not definitely state the result of their labor and let the people say whether the only applicant shall have it? Nothing is gained by false issues. The City Council would not franchise to Mr. Weiss, but they do not propose to be "flimflammed" and inveigle the people by submitting a proposition, which every one knows is in favor of Mr. Weiss and thus become instructed to give Mr. Weiss all he wants. Some of the Council favor municipal ownership. It is less difficult to buy out one company than two and ownership can fight better the entrance of one than two. Can members consistently support the granting of another franchise at this time? Some members of the Council are Union labor. Can such members favor to put Mr. Weiss again into San Antonio labor market?—It is thought that the proper thing for them to do is to be frank with the people and submit the issue "shall the franchise be granted to the only applicant, W. H. Weiss?"
A VOTER.