It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to exercise any privilege or franchise to lay or maintain any pipes or conduits in or under any public street, or alley in the City, for the transmission of gas, water, heat, steam, or other substance or to exercise any franchise or privilege for the erection or maintenance, in or upon any public street or alley in the City, of any telephone, telegraph, electric light or power poles, wires, or system, or for the erection of any pole or wire for the purpose of transmitting electrical energy or current, without first having procured a franchise to do so unless such person, firm or corporation is entitled to do so by direct and unlimited authority of the Constitution of the state or the Constitution of the laws of the United States.
(Ord. 541, 11-10-1913)