St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-06-16
rapid TRANSIT QUESTION
Discussed by Two Representative
Bodies.
ENOS COMPANY PREFERRED.
Considerable Light Thrown Upon What
Is Wanted and Pro- So,
posed. =; ~ y.

A joint meeting of committees ,ap7
pointed by the chamber of commerce
and the real estate board was held at
the chamber of commerce yesterday
afternoon to consider the question: of
rapid transit. Neither of the commit
tees was complete, the former being
represented by MessrS. Peet, Nichols and
LaWton, and the latter by MeSSrS. David
son. SlmOntOn, A. +. Clark and w. NJ.
Bushnell (by proxy. 3
ID. ID. Merrill, representing the Enos
electric system, explained what their
company asked for and what they pro-
posed to do. They desired a charter
from the city to build an elevated road
from Second and Cedar streets to the
city limits, and had, he claimed, shown
their enterprise by erecting structure
Illustrating what they proposed to do
and the practicability of the project.
NO OBJECTION COULD BE RAISED
on account of smoke and very little on
account Of noise. Funds necessary for
the undertaking had been raised. They
did not want the franchise for specula-
ton and they did not ask for anything
exclusive, except the exclusive right to
use certain streets.
In response to MIR. DavidSon'S query,
corporation Attorney Murray said that
III the event OF any damage, injuries to
persons or loss OF life, provision would
be necessary i'll the ordinance, to COM
pei the company to pay the damage.
y. ID. Lawrence, for the same COM
pany, gave some details about the pro-
posed road. The cars will be forty feet
in length and seat twenty persons on
each side of car. The cars would all
be coupled, but each car had its own
cl4l,
from one side of the truss to the other
would be only thirteen feet. Two cars
passing would take up twenty feet.
From the bottom of the cars to the
street is fourteen feet, and from the
top of the truSSes twenty-five feet. 1t
would be necessary to erect one row of
posts, which are placed in the center of
the street, the base being eighteen feet
across and eight feet below the surface.
In case Of sewer the foundations of
the posts would be arched. Ac-
cess to the cars would be secured
the same as in all the other elevated
roads, the stations being small and near
the street. The company was prepared
to go on with the work tomorrow if
it was granted the franchise
Mr.. MesSer, of Boston, said the COM
pany was backed by money, and pre-
pared to give satisfactory bonds that
the road would be completed in a rea-
SOnable specified time. All they wanted
was the franchise backed by reasonable
terms.
CORPORATION ATTORNEY MURRAY
said that the committee should have the
ordinance before them, then they could
see its exact provisions. The ordinance
had simply been laid on the table for
consideration by the new council.
}. b. Moore, representing the st. Paul
& Minneapolis Elevated road, said that
for some months he was the only ele-
waited railroad crank in st. Paul. The
history of larger cities showed that after
certain stage had been reached in the
growth of a city that rapid transit was
then required. New York lost 100000
people because they had not rapid
transit earlier than they did. He then
referred to how road would build up
the territory along the line. There was
no rivalry between the companies. he
said, and as the number of franchises
had tendency doubtless to embarrass
the council, his company would not at
the present time impose that embarrass-
ment.
Col. Davidson made some remarks,
strongly favoring the granting of a fran
chise to the company that desired to
put III the EnOS system. He then Of
fered the following resolutions, which,
after few remarks by Chairman Peet,
were adopted:
Whereas, Rapid transit, under proper
restrictions, would assist in the de-
velopment of our city, particularly in
the suburbs and in the interurban dis
trictS, and we believe would promote
the growth and development of the
city; and.
Whereas, Several corporations are
seeking franchises, and one or more
of them are ready to commence the
construction of elevated railroads, and
to spend large sums in constructing,
completing and equipping their roads,
Resolved. That we report back to the
respective organizations from which we
have been appointed, that we favor the
granting of franchises, under restric
tons, to such companies as come for
ward with proper assurances that they
will construct and operate their roads
within q reasonable time, and that the
rights of the public and property holders
along the proposed lines shall be pro-
tected by wise and judiciouS provisions,
incorporated in the ordinances under
the restrictions indicated above.
Wer commend the granting of a fran
chise to the Enos Electric Railway
company, and respectfully submit this
report for the action of the respective
bodies from which we have been APP
pointed, for their consideration and APP
proval or disapproval.
The meeting then adjourned.