The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-05
THE STREET RAILWAY WAR.
The Opposing Companies Claims Before the
Council judiciary Committee.

The Council Judiciary committee met Mt the
city clerks office on Saturday afternoon for the
purpose of considering the Metropolitan Street
Railway ordinance, which was referred at the
last Council meeting. Both companies were
represented. the Old by Colonel johnson, and the
new by Mr.. Henry A. Everett ana W. II. H. Miller
| attorney for the ROAD. Mr. Miller made "A detailed
review OF the proposed ordnance and suggested
| the Councils power and duty in regard to it, He
said the company had come here expecting 70
make money, but did not ask the privilege of
running their road with the sole
purpose of financial benefit without
at all regarding the interests Of
the city. They did not wish to infringe upon
the rights of the old company, and had framed
the ordinance with the intention of seruDulously
avoiding eyerytni that would tend in that
direction. They had come to Indianapolis with
money TO invest in a legitimate business enter
prise, wanting no special favOrs but merely "a
fair show. In reference to the effecu of "a new
company, Mr.. Miller said that il would soon be
plainly manifest in the ahnlishing of evils and
/ grievances, which are complained of in the
operation of the present road, ana it could not
work TO the derment of any OF the citys interests
! He then asked Colonel Johnson Upon what
| grounds the Citizens street Raj road Conpanv
proposed to oppose the passage of the ordir auee
nut ne dlh nor reply directly. Mr.. johnson
asked whether or NOT the new company intended
Ia lay tracks on streets where citi2eus are sIgA-
ing circumstances, ana observed that there
| seemed to be IA spontaneous uprising among tha
people against the new company. Mr. Miller
! simply replied that "if the ordinance is De
| feat ed, lt VIII be because Colonel johnson has
gone around and stirred mp opposition" MIR.
| Miller concluded with the citing of number OF
/ decisions of the Supreme Court of taIs and other
States, showing that it. Is not in the power of the
| Council TO grant exclusive rights to any cor
poration, and that il any such right had been
| granted the contract void The city attor-
ney agreed with AIr. Miller regarding these state
ments of law.
| Colonel johnson then asked that the commit
! tee postpone further action until the return OF
/ his SOD, who was detained in Cleveland on i'm.
| nOrtant business. The committee endeavored
| to appoint meeting for this afternoon, in order
| to prevent delaying the consideration of the
ordinance for another two weeks by the COun,
| Gill; INIT Mr. johnson strenuouSly urged the
importance of his sons presence that his REQUEST
! complied with
| In the Council meeting tonight Mr.. Miller and
! judge Norton will present number Of petitions
| faVorlng the new company When Mr.. Everett
! and ms associates learned that circumstances
were being circulated in Mr.. JOhuSouS terestS
| with view to ascertaluing the exact status OF
| the pubuc sentiment counter petition cir
| culated, and received an excess of 400 sigma.
| lures in about three hours Quite number of
| tile slgners of circumstances on South Meridian
street Affixed Their names TO the petition stating
| that they were induced 10 tha former actlon
| through IL miSapprehensiUn. Several prominent
| wholesale merchants, who live on North Meridi-
an street and 10 business on South Meridian
/ said thar they were led to sign the remonstranca
! under the apprehension that il was the inten-
| ton To extend the line along the entire street
| When they were apurised of the real intention
very free to resclnd their former action and sign
| the petition.