Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. v. City of Los Angeles

The Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company has been engaged in operating a telephone and telegraph system since January 2, 1907, and its lines are used in rendering a local, statewide and interstate communication service. The city of Los Angeles and surrounding areas are serviced by Pacific and connecting telephone companies. In 1951, shortly before a municipal franchise under which it had been operating was due to expire, Pacific applied to the city for a franchise to use the streets and other public places within the municipal boundaries as they existed in 1905. Territory added to the city…