St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-01-17
ELECTRICITY WINS.
The Council Agrees to the
Proposition Of Mr..
Lowry.
No Cable Lines Will Be Built
During the Year
1890,
But New Motors Will Run on
Washington and First Az
enueS South.
Two Years Time Is Allowed
in Which to Expert
ment.

For the present, at least, there will be
no cable lines built in the streets of
Minneapolis. Electricity will take the
place of the cable, and within two
years the horse car and steam motor
will be a thing of the past. When Mr..
Lowry's proposition TO substitute cleo
tricity for the proposed cable lines
was first made to the city council
there was considerable opposition
to the scheme, but yesterday, after the
special committee had wrestled with
the matter for several hours, the city
council in special session took it up and
practically granted everything the Min
neapolis Street Railway company asked
for. There were thirty-siX out of thirty
nine aldermen in their seats when Presi-
dent johnson called the council to order.
After Clerk Haney had read the report
OF the committee, Aid. Gray moved that
the council should consider the report
in committee of the whole, and Aid.
Brazie, of the Fifth ward, was called to
the chair. Tie report was taken up
section by section. and after a few
minor changes had been made, the most
important Of which was the restriction
OF all trains TO two cars, tie following
resolution was recommended to the
council:
Resolved, That the Minneapolis Street Rail-
way company be and is hereby permitted
and authorized and required 10 substitute
experimental street railway lines similar to
The one heretofore constructed and now be-
ing operated by 1t on Fourth avenue south.
on the conditions hereinafter contained, on
the following lines:
First. Onthe two lines which, by the reso-
lutions of the council passed July 49, 1889,
ana approved July &c, 1889, and by resolu-
ton Of the council passed June %, 1889,
and approved Juy l. 1889, it was author
lZed, and by its agreement made in pursu-
<ance to said resolutions, it agreed TO con-
struct and put in operation cable lines dur
ing the year 1890, TO wit: The Washington
avenue and the First avenue lines.
Second. On any Of its existing horse car or
motor lines where it may desire and shall
make such substitution during the year 1890
provided said company shall, within thirty
days after the passage OF this resolution, ac-
cept the above permission and agree to the
following conditions:
A. If at any time on or before April l,
1891, the city council shall determine any
or all Of said electric lines 10 be unsuccessful
or not equal TO the cable lines ordered, then
this resolution shall be Of no further force or
effect.
B. Said company shall not run on said
electric lines more than two cars attached to-
gether. one of which shall be the motor car,
pany shall have such guards to prevent acct
dents as the council shall, fiom time to time.
direct.
c. Said experimental electrical lines sub
sntuted for cable lines shall be built and put
III operation within the time prescribed by
said resolution for building and putting in
operation said cable lines respectively, for
which electric zines are substituted.
ID. The provisions of said resolutions Of
July 10, 1889, and all other ordinances and
resolutions of the council, shall not be modi-
he'd or affected hereby except in the particu-
lars above indicated.
E. In case any other electric system prefer
able to the overhead-wire system shall prove
practical success in other cities the coun-
eli shall have the right TO designate any ex-
fstiDg line operated by the street railway com
pany as The line on which TO experiment
with said new electric motive system, and
said company shall at once proceed to equip
said line so designated with said new electric
system, and Il after the same has been OPP
Grated six months, the council deems it O
practical and superior power 10 the overhead
system, the council shall have the right TO
order the entire existing street railway sys-
tem or any line or lines thereof, to be op-
Grated with such new electric motive system.
+. The snre6es on the bond executed for
the faithful performance of the agreement
made pursuant to the said resolution of July
10, 1889. shall in writing, within thirty days,
signify their consent to the notifications of
said agreement as contained herein, or the
Minneapolis Street Railway company shall
substitute a like bond satisfactory TO the
city council.
G. If the city council shall not at any
time on or before April ]. 1891 determine
electricity to be an unsuccessful motive
power, then the Minneapolis Street Railway
company shall equip with electricity, and
put IL running order, all its then existing
street car or motor lines by Dec L. 1891.
After the committee of the whole had
arisen and recommended the passage of
the resolution, Aid Potter moved to re-
fer the whole matter to the city attorney
for an opinion as to ITS legality. with in
structions tn report at the regular meet
ing this afternoon. The motion was
carried, and the council adjourned with
out taking any positive action in the
matter. As the committee of the whole
was unanimous in recommending the
passage of the resolution, there will be
little. il any. opposition TO It's passage
to-day.