The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-12-26

IHE railroad question has taken up the
attention of the city council to large
extent the past three weeks. Indeed it
has been the topic of discussion with
which every one in the city has been oc-
cupied. On Friday last Messrs. Whit
comb, Worthington and Thayer of the
Lake Shore & Western were in the city
and special meeting of the council was
held that evening. Mr.. Whitcomb pre-
sented the matter to the board with the
precision of mathematician. His con-
versational style shows that he has no
desire to be considered an orator. But
every statement was deliberate. well con-
sidered and expressed in the elearest
language. Mayor Schuette argued with
considerable vigor against granting any
rights which would be an inconvenience
to the people of the city while equally
good facilities could be given the rail-
road company and at the same time avoid
the objections to an unrestricted fran
chise on Quay street. The council agreed
to grant franchise on Quay street with
permission to run trains from 8 P. NJ. to
5 A. NJ, and a franchise with right of way
guaranteed through the southern part Of
the city with no restrictions as to time
of running.
On Monday Mr.. Thayer representing
the roads, was in the city ard announced
that the Delaware and Lackawanna had
had refused to continue negotiations with
the Lake Shore & Western because OF
the restriction as TO the time trains were
allowed to run. 1t was evident to every
one who conversed with mem bers of the
board that an unrestricted fran chlse on
Quay street would not be granted. The
only thing possible under the circum-
stances was a compromise. A sufficient
number of the recalcitrant aldermen were
won over to the compromise. But after
the matter was brought up for discussion
it was found that the Lake Shore q West
ern had failed to communicate to the
Delaware & Lackawanna that what is
known as the "belt route" with unre-
stricted franchise and right of way had
been offered at all, and that the officers
of the last mentioned road had submitted
to them for their acceptance only the
limited franchise on Quay street. This
of course they could not accept. This
withholding of portion of what the city
offered threatened to widen the breach
and one alderman who had been favor
able to granting an unrestricted franchise
on Quay street, at once grew Indifferent
to the whole thing.
The council finally agreed to grant an
unrestricted franchise on the belt route,
the right of way being guaranteed, a
franchise in addition on Quay street with
the restriction that only two trains be
run each way from the hours of A. NJ. to
5 p NJ. and as many trains as the railroad
company chooses during the time be-
tween P. NJ. and s A. NJ. A telegram to
to this effct was sent the President of the
G. B. Winona 4 st. Peter road, and to
the general manager of the Delaware &
Lackawanna.
1t is evident the Lake Shore & Western
does not want the "belt route" 1t is
equally clear that the combination" does
not care what the route is through the
city so that the lake shore is reached.
That is just how the matter stands.
On Tuesday kilograms were received
from New York and Buffalo stating that
nothing but an unrestricted franchise on
Quay street would be considered. This
was inexplicable in view of the fact that
the Delaware & Lackawanna had no in
terest in either route through the city,
except to get line to the lake. 1t also
made it appear probable that all which
the city offered at the Friday meeting had
been communicated to the officers of the
other road. The first determination was
to let everything go. But the advantages
of the line were too promising to be dis
missed without last effort. A sufficient
number of aldermen to pass an unre-
stricted franchise as last resort, prom
ised to do SO and the fact was telegraphed
to General Manager Whitcomb. A meet
ing of the council will be held tomorrow
and the whole matter will be settled.
Those who held out for better terms for
the city concede their defeat, and most of
them are satisfied that nothing better
could be secured.