The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-07-23
THE STREET CAR COMPANY AND
THE CITY.

Mankato has street car line, or a
least she has track laid and ballusted
but no cars are being operated. The
company had everything in readiness tc
begin running cars on schedule time
Tuesday, and did make two or three
trial trips. Since that time, however
the road has remained idle. 1t is direct.
ly attributable, we are told, to strike
by the city council. The charter, under
which the Street Railway Co. secured
the franchise, required the putting in OF
plank upon the outside of the rail at
any time the council might make the de-
mand. The demand has been made,
and the council will not accept the road
as in running condition until the order
is complied with. The Car Company re-
fuse to comply with the order until the
street is graded up to the track, claim
ing that they have right to this as a
protection to their property from injury.
There are two positives pitted against
each other, and what the outcome will
be can only be determined by time. The
city is filling up the street, but if no cars
are run until this work is completed, it
will be at least a month.
The council held special meeting
Wednesday evening and discussed the
matter for some time without effecting
n compromise of any sort. The Street
Railway Co. will not be allowed to oper-
ate their cars until the plank is laid, and
rs before stated the Co. declare they
will not lay the plank until the street Is
put to grade.
There seems to lie too much determin-
alton somewhere. OF course it Is the
duty of the council to protect the rights
and interests ofthe city, and they should
see that the Railway Co. conform to the
requirements of the charter. On the
other hand, the Company have invested
fully $4,000 to give the city street rail-
way and they should be treated with
liberal consideration. If the Company
stand ready, as they do, to put in the
plank when the street is in proper con-
dition, it would seem that they should
be allowed to operate their cars in the
meantime. 1t Is undeniable that the
present Is the most profitable season of
the year for operating the street railway,
and as 1t is not going to be a very re-
investment ut the best, the |
council should not draw the line too
tight. The people only demand that
the city authorities do not allow the |
Company to abuse the franchise which |
has been granted, and We do not believe |
they have any disposition to do 80.
The Company have men and horses
on expense awaiting an opportunity to
set them to work. If the city is placing |
a needless obstacle in their way by re-
fusing to allow operations, there is very
little doubt that bill of expense will be |
presented for the city to foot.
As regards the planking, the senti-
ment is divided. A large number of
business men who have been interview
ed freely express the belief that it is |
wholly needless. But this matters not |
If 1t is the wish of the council that the
plank be laid it will have to be done. |
1t is decidedly unfortunate all around |
that this new enterprise should be put |
under difficulties so soon, and it is GER
tainly TO be hoped that all differences
may be adjusted without delay or hard |
feelings. We can lily afford at this time
to have any divisions of sentiment
among our people that shall retard the
growth of the city.
LATER.-Since the above was put in |
type the street cars have been put in |
operation. The city council was invited |
to free ride last evening, and the treat |
seemed to have a very soothing effect. |
We understand all differences have been |
adjusted and harmony prevails. All the |
cars arc in operation to-day and will |
continue uninterrupted. Good.