, 1880-08-08
COMPETITION WANTED.

To the Editor Of Tx Chicago Tribune.
CHICAGO Aug. THE people Of this city
especially those residing In the West Division
should keep before them, at al times, the fact
that they ar Mt present in the hands Of selfish
monopoly, SO far as local transportation goes.
The West Division Railway Company now has its
trucks laid on al OF the most important thoro-
fares leading from the central bushes portion
Of the South Side to the West Side, and 1t is aim
ing to secure more lines so rs to efYectually cut
Of al com petition. Not satisfied With being pos
sest Of the most lucrativ franchise in the city, 1t
is reaching out for more. II it succeeds in Its
present endcavor-asit it certainly ought not to
it will soon hav Lake street, from the bridge to
Union Park, as 1t nov has Randolph, Madison,
and Van Buren streets Thus it vii prevent tho
occupation, by competing companies, OF nearly
every available avenue between tba main river
and Twelfth street~-a district extending more
than mile from north to south 1t has alredy
extended it arms northwesterIy aud southwest
crly over Milwaukee and Ogden avenues and, as
can be plainly seen, aims to secure control Of
tho entro West Diviston,-by far the largest
and most populous half Of the city. Should
it succeed in carrying out its present
designs 1t vii hav the majority Of the people OF
the wlDle city in It's grssp. compelling them TO
from thelr homes. Experience has taught us
that It vii not in the future-as 1t has not in the
pust-carc for or in any way consult the inter
crowd It's cars to their utmost capacity. wholly
regardless Ut tho comfort or convenience of
those who nr compelled to ride upon thcn.
Those Of us who wer obliged, about eight years
ago, to ride upon the Randolph street limo or
walk vii hav lively etnbrance Of .esc man
ncr in which We wcr treated by that corporation.
Finding sitting or standing room as best we
might, we wer insuited and abused by every
little puppy whom ny re e Company chose ct to employ
complaint We wcr told to help ourselves II We
could. But change took piace. An enterpris-
Inc s upon the route, T aad made such inroads
upon the receipts OF the Railroad Company as to
make The eondnctors the peoples & most f 2nseam gu,
had the writer ben unable to induce conductor
to hold the chr while be could rs. run
91 %d ,r xa be eppud
leisureIy walk an entire block. and when be
reacht Western would + hueE M1 Ipyits ss
bought oa or driven OF; and If the conductors
d,dn't take their revens on the people for the
NEXT six months, then I'm a sinner. As NJ.
Saturday cyonIng, the Railway Company viii be
the peoples most obedicnt servant til it gets its
clutches upon our throats, and then ue must be
In the struggle now going on for the posses
sion Ct West Lake street, the people, It they
you'd project their own interests snoala oe On
ntford the only relief against the e1tortions of
the West Division Company: and TINT relief Is
interests involved In the question Of raplu aud
economical transportation ar TOO important to
be trusted e ie the hands Of one c9rpoEatson and
so destitute Of principle us has the one which
now holds our people by the throats.
sh5uid be- aware hat in nave very II few YEA years % tho
present lines vii be wholly inadequate to meet
the demands ct the people. a: As tie tide Of pop
In volume, additional lines NUT be laid some
wher: and what street more appropriate than
III cnn,nerjtinn? The track IL certn|n r. he iaid