The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-12-19
COMMUNICATED.

ern Railway Co. seeks franchise for ex-
tending its road along Water or Frank
/ lin streets to Main street, thence along
Main street to Quay street and thence to
| the lake. A most undesirable route for
| the city, for the reason that. crossing the
most important thoroughfares, both pres
emit and future, it will always intercept
| travel and traffic between the two sides
of the river, and thus isolate them from
each other to great extent.
A route few blocks south of the one
proposed would be much more agreeable
to the general public, but we are told The
company will not accept it. The fran
chise mentioned is sought upon the
representation that, if granted, the result
will be through railway transportation
line from ST. Paul to the Atlantic sea
between this place and Ludington Michi-
gan. That has been the cherished dream
and hope of many of us for third of a
century, which, realized at this day,
would be the JOY of all our hearts.
Our experience with the Milwaukee
Lake Shore and Western Railway Co.
from its completion, has been everything
but pleasant and satisfactory. We aided
in its construction to the amount OF $780,
600, with the full expectation and belief
that it would be extended to the M1ssis-
sippi River, and that its shops would be
permanently located here.
But what has been the result? The
road swung north and terminates on
Lake Superior, the shops have been re-
moUed to Kaukauna, We have been dis
eliminated against in freight rates so
that our business men could not compete
with those in other lake cities, on the
line of the road, and Manitowoc has been
an obscure and unidentified way station.
These are few of the greater, of the
many grievances of which we have had
just reason to complain.
And now comes said Railway Company
and asks, apparently in good faith, the
franchise referred to, promising in return
the long sought and desired through line,
east and west. Assuming that the CON-
pany is acting in good faith, and with an
honest purpose to give an equivalent for
what it receives, is it wise to keep up the
fight against it and thereby, possibly,
lose the only opportunity we may ever
have of realizing our long cherished
hopes? No-not If We are sagacious and
prudent enough to guard and protect our
own interests properly.
The prevailing sentiment of our peo-
pie seems to be that the franchise sought
by the company should be granted, if
properly guarded and restricted giving
to it only lrhdt it must have, reserving
the rest to ourselves. The general feel
ing on the subject may be crystallized
thus: 1st. Require written assurances
from the company that it has actually
perfected arrangements for the establish
ment of the through line promised, and
its belief that said line will continue per-
manent, and also its written guaranty
that said line shall be established and
go into actual operation If the franchise
be granted.
I'd. Then grant the franchise, subject
to the giving Of like franchise, on the
same route or any part thereof, to any
other railroad company or companies
seeking terminal facilities here.
3D.. While the through line shall con-
tinue in operation, restrict the use Of
steam power over the franchise route to
from o'clock p. m. to the following s
| o'clock a. m. daily, and if the through
line should be discontinued then restrict
the use of steam power on the franchise
route to, and from o'clock p. m. to the
following 6 o'clock a. m. daily.
4th Restrain locomotives and cars
from running over four miles an hour
and from stopping between 10Th street
in the 3rd ward, and 9th street in the 1st
ward.
9th. Require track to be even with
street surfaces and properly guarded SO
as not to obstruct ordinary travel, and
also require suitable gates on each side
of tracks at all street crossings to be al
ways closed during the passage of loco
motives and cars.
We regard the above suggested conces-
j sions by the city as fair, reasonable and
sufficient. and conscientiously think
they should satisfy the railroad company.
But some of the company's advocates say
it will submit to no limitation as to time,
IN the use of stea IN power.
Such limitations are proposed inma ny
other places and proye satisfactory, and
why may not the same result be secured
heFeP The company certainly cannot
object to any of the other conditions and
lt,would seem to be wisdom on it's part
to submit to all of them, for our fear of
using steam power all the time may
| prove to be bng-bear which time and
experience will finally remove, together
with the restriction complained Of MI
tual fair and reasonable concessions with
just and honorable purposes will benefit
both the Railway Company and the city.
! Let rs try it.