The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-01-18
THE crrIzESy RAILWAY comPAsY.
The ItSetlag Of the Ordinance Commit.
tee-PnpeFa R0hd BEFORE II.

The Moetlng Of the Ordinance Commit.
tec-Papera Read BEFORE II.
Last October resolution was introduced
lase Council, Just before The ffaHshisesot the
Citizens Railway Company, enjoyed by that
corporation for fifteen years from ia lorna.
ton, expired, by Mr. Hildreth, lnstructing
the Ordinance Committee to prepare an ordi.
nance for the government Of the road, reduc.
ing the fare to Ave cents and requiring the
company to lay fiatrail Since that time
numerous inquiries have been made as to
what the committee was doing in the matter,
but nothing has been heard from It 30 far.
There was a meeting held once by the com.
mlttee, and the Street Railway Company APP
peafing before II asked permission to prepare
an ordinance OF Its own,
The committee met Inst evening, and after
being called to order by Chairman Cracrait,
proceeded to listen to Clerk Galligan's dulcet
tones US he read the following:
To the Honorable, the Mayor and Council Of he
city Of Wheeling:
GENTLmRN:-By resolution you have In
struCted your Committee on Ordinances TO
prepare On ordinance extending the right OF
the Citizens Railway Company to operate
their road in the city. The resolution In.
Sirncts 1t TO incorporate In the ordinance Ger
tain requirements and restrictions, which are
believed to be unjust and oppressive to the
company, and to which desire to call your
attention.
First-That the Company be required to
iay fat rail instead Of the one used at
present.
A considerable portion Of the track Is
comparatively new, and great proportion
would be serviCeable for many years. This
would require an entire reconStruction Of the
road. None OF the materials OF which Il Is
now constructed could be used except the
ties, and as they would have to be raised to
suit the grade, II would involve an expense
equal to the cost OF the purchase OF now
ties and laying them, and the entire loss OF
the present road, except what might be re-
Ceived for the rails as old iron.
Second-Thc paving and keeping in repair
OF two feet outside the rails
This would almost double the amount OF
theStreet to be paved and kept repair by the
company, making o feet In all, and In view
Of the fact that Ii is intended and expected
that when the flat rail Is lald, all vehicles will
travel on 1t, 1t Is evident tho cost of repairs,
already serious item OF expense, will be
greatly increased, Us o great proportion OF
the repairs to the street will have to be made
by the company.
'Third-'The reduction OF fares to five cents.
Tic use Of tickets Is believed to be a pro-
lection to the company and convenience TO
the people; all railroads make difference in
price, favorfng the use oil tickets. Tickets are
now sold on all our cars in quantities to place
them within the reach Of all, and they are
generally used by all our citizens, only
strangers and persons who seldom ride pay
ing the six cents. Up TO the year 1876, the
fair charged was six cents or twenty tickets
for one dollar; in 1876 and since, five tickets
are sold for twenty-five cents. A great proper.
ton OF the fares are now paid in tickets, and
the proportion is increasing yearly. This
change was made believing that the def.
cheney would be made up by increasing
travel; the result, however, did not Justify
the expectation, and the gross earnings OF the
company from this and other causes was re.
duced some $4,000 or 81, 900 yearly.
The proposed Legislation would compel the
immediate expenditure Of large sum Of
money to build new road; 1t would entail
u greatly increased annual expense for re-
pairs to the street, and reduce the already
small revenue; 1t would, in fact, require an
imp0Ssibility.
To build a new road would require all the
surplus earnings from the present business
for i've or six years under the present condi-
tons, but hampered with the proposed con-
ditions, even il the money could be borrowed
on mortgage, with increased expenses, re-
duced revenues and the additional burthen
Of interest, there could be but one result: the
total loss OF the property to the stockholders.
cannot think that your honorable body
intend such result, and on behalf OF the
f1f an
are your fellow citizens aud whom you also
represent, respectfully petition your honor
able body to reconsider your former action.
Modify your instructions to your committee
SO that we may be allowed a term OF at least
five years within which to change the track,
relieve us from the additional paving and re.
pairing OF the street and allow the fares to
remain as at present.
1t is believed that by paying nothing to the
stockholders and applying all the surplus
earnings OF the road 10 that purpose, the de.
sired change could be made In the time
named without interruption to travel and
that the payment OF taxes and the repairs
already required, would be just compen-
sation to the city for the privileges granted
the company.
The managers Of tho company have always
been disposed TO do everything for the &C.
commodaton Of the public, consistent with
Justice to the stock holders, who have received
put small returns for the money invested; in
fact, they are doubtful II they have treated
the stockholders with the consideration they
deserve. They have made extensions OF the
road to meet the public views, believing
that they would be unremunerntive, and
which have proved to be so; they have con-
tinued to operate one line from year TO wear,
knowing that they would have 10 apply the
earnings OF the other to meet the deficiency:
they have increased facilities for carrying
passengers shortened the time between cars
on part Of the line at great additional OK.
pense, withontH corresponding increase in
the earnings. They believe that the 100000
to 100000 passengers they carry every
year constitute large proportion OF the poo
pleot the city whose convenience and com.
fort have been provided for by this company,
aud that they do not require or expect their
representatives In Council TO so legislate as
to in elect corrtiscate the property OF their
fellow citizens, who spent their money to
build road, which has been a benefit 10
them and contributed In a great degree 10
the improvement and prosperity Of the city,
Very respectfully,
a. WHSoS, President
Accompanying this communication was an
S.NiAohGS AAVIu khV Guullullyt tue nlulu pro-
visions OF which were us follows
The first section provides that the company
shall have the exclusive right Of the streets
for laying tracks. for street RAILWAYS, The
second section provide that steam shall not
be used, but that horses and mules shall be
the motive power; the track shall not be less
than five feet two inches in width nor more;
and the company shall keep the space paved
between the rails. The third section gives
Council or its officers the right to 20 over or
above the track when necessary to make re-
pairs to streets, gas or water pipes. =
The fourth section provides that all per
sonal property Of the company shall be listed
for taxation blythe City Assessor, and shall
be assessed and subject to the same taxation
for city purposes the same as miscellaneous
personal property belonging To private per
sons. All real estate belonging to the com.
pany shall also be listed and assessed the
same as property belonging to private indi.
viduals. Both real and personal property
being assessed, and taxes being paid all other
franchises, privileges, ETC., shall not be other
wise affected by assessment or taxation; nor
shall any shareholder be required to list to
the assessors their stock in the company, or