The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-01

THE RAILROADS ON BROAD STREET.
The COMMITTEE on Law, OF Councils met in Select
hearing ciIzens ior and against the act authorizing
the lmt rovements on Broad street. and the removal
OF the railroads fIom the same
Mr. George L. Buzby on the part of the Corn Ex.
change AssOcIatOn protested against the passage oil
the act He said in New Yok the merchant, alter
making fortune, used his means to develop trade
and keep up the reputation of Che ci for com-
mercial greatness while in Philade phia as soon
o merchant made money enough to retire from
business and keep fast horse, he lost all interest in
her commercial prosperity.
He con ended that the railroad en- Broad street
was important one, and should not be removed 70
accommodate those who desire 10 have magnificent
drive. By this act, the owners the property on
Broad street are TO pay tor It's embellishments
whether able or not dc considered Broad ani
Market streets the ma ural avenues for trade aud Il t
is driven out, it will be crowded smaller stiees
The trade OF the city should be t0stered and allowed
TO grow and not cramued bv encroachments nnon
business Streets for the purpose of beauufyng them
He commended that the luea OF the projectors of this
measure was to commit the city, through Councils,
general good, the city should al propnate the money
Tor IT.
street. MIR. Buzby stated that during tine past three
months the following number OF cars had passed
Balhmere & ONO Railroad, 1900 cars, each carry
ing nine tens, making total of 10 800 tons. Read
ing Railroad, 2252 eight wheeled cars, carrying
18 coo tons of merchandise, and IL 667 cars carving
| 66,365 tons or coal Pennsylvania Railroad, 3l99
eight-wheeied cars carrying 256OO tons OF mere
| ing to the West Chester Germantown and Norris
town Railroads making an aggregate for three
months of 10000 tons, or 200 Tor year, con-
| Vey ed in so 600 cars
The cost Of gettiug this freight to the stores by
means OF tins road about 25 cents per ton, but
the road shou be removed, the cost would be 80
| cents creadnR a tax of about 100000 year upon
| tue merchants. He contended that the merchants
could not stand tins tax. 1t would also cut off much
Of the trade now passing over the Baltimore and
OHIO Railroad, because the transportation or freghs
from Broad and WASHINGTON streets to the stores
the centre of the city would be increased do1be.
Mr.. Freeman said he would like to hear II there
Nvoe
street, north OF Calowhill street.
w. b. Thomas said Mr.. IrVin's mill, on Broad
street, would be ruined by removing the road, while
| his own mill, which is on Willow street, would be
improved. He said that the miers III Philadelphia
would be compe led to 20 to New York to purchase
wheat il these efforts to restrict trade In Phladel.
phla were continued. lie thought the business of
city. Drive business out OF Broad street, where will
itgotoS There Is now difficulty in travelling on
Market street, but drve all the trade now on Broad
street theIe, and this difficulty would be greatly
creased Wide streets must be used because you can
| not turn your cars in narrow streets.
The dea to be TO drive the trade on the west
| side OF the Schuylkill, to accommodate those who
have nothing else to do but ride in their carriages
Ii the trade is driven to the west side of the SchuV
kill the poor man will have to pay more for his coal
and flour. He said Notwithstanding the railroad is
now used on Broad street. large number OF hand
some improvements have been made, and so they
will continue to crowd upon the portions devoted to
trade. he contended that the citizens had vested
right in these railroads. and Councils the Legis
laure had no right to remoye them He DID not care
West 10 Philadelphia because the greater facilities
afforded would reduce the price oeVerything to con-
sumers.
COMMITTEE if it passed, would entirely cut off three
miles of the railroad authorized by the Legislature
IN N. Broad street. Those VINO have spent their
money upon this road ask of Councils to refund the
amount expended II this bill should pass
Mr.. Howard appeared on behalf OF those who have
pettOned for the passage of the bill. He commended
that Broad street should be freed from railroads and
an opportunity afforded persons to improve 1T, by
the erection of costly buildings etc. Tie improve.
north and south of the tracks evidence oil
what Broad street would become if the bill now
before the Committee snould become law. He said
that large majority of the owners OF property on
the street in favor of the removal of the rails.
Mr.. Buzby replied to Mr.. Howard and said that
massive facts had been presented in support OF the
of the track on Broad street and ne had
not heard anything from the gentleman who ple-
ceded him 10 controvert them.
A motion having been made 10 adjourn, 1t was OBJ
jecte0 TO by several gentlemen. Colonel Page said
that desired to be further enlightened on the sub
ject, VIII ich was one of too much importance to be
acted upon hastily. He had signed the original bill
and should adhere to the principle set forth in II
unless he should hear some very powerful reasons
for a change. One of the strongest he had heard
was that the removal of the track Broad street
would interfere with the interests OF trade. Ii that
be so, it is very important matter. If the contnu
of the railroad Broad street will benefit the
people by the cheaper transportation of flour and
coal, 1t is worthy of serious consideration.
Mr.. Howard made further remarks, and referred
, TO contemplated improvements OF an extensive cha
racter, which will be made on Broad street If the
tracks be removed.
i gentleman who owns property on Broad street
said that the removal of the tracks will reduce itS
value ABOUT one-half.
: Mr.. ShIppen made few remarks on the subject
of taxation He said that the removal OF the tracks
would lead to the Improvement of the street, both
f north and south, and he was of the opinion that
every thousand feet would yield $500 000 to the
, venue of the city.
The Committee adjourned at five minutes after II