Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-20
A LAWYERS MISTAKE
Caused the Traction Lines to Be Too
Previous in Track-Laying.
MAYOR GOURLEY GIVES NO SIGN
As to the Disposition of the Ordinance to
Iegalize the Junction.
ANOTHER SUIT COMMENCED IN COURT

It was reported yesterday that Mayor
Gourly had decided to veto the ordinance
which is intended to authorize the construc-
tion of street railway connection from the
Pittsburg Traction line to the Williamsburg
branch of the Duquesne company on Fifth
avenue from South Highland to Denniston
avenues. The report was without the
Mayors sanction. He has not yet decided
what to do with the bill, and will take his
own time about it. He has week vet to
consider the ordinance before it would be-
come law without his signature.
A member of one of the companies IN
terested, asked what he thought of the re-
port, replied: 81 don't believe the Mayor
will veto that ordinance. His main objec-
tion seems to be that the tracks were laid
before we asked permission of Councils.
Had that been done Intentionally the Mayor
might have some cause for objection, but 1t
was the result of an error The Pittsburg,
Oakland and East Liberty Street Railway,
now covered by the Pittsburg Traction
Company, owned right of way and charter
privileges over that disputed stretch OF
ground, and the company's attorney being
asked whether further legislation would be
necessary, gave them to understand that it
would not.
The Mistake of an Attorney.
"When the track was about completed
the attorney learned he had made mis-
take, that an ordinance to use electricity
would be necessary. An ordinance was
presented as soon thereafter as possible. In
~ 30 int full ho
nance was made complete, but the only
thing that is really necessary to permit us
to proceed is the privilege to use electric
ity. The Mayor knows that, and he will
not use his official prerogative to veto that
putting in the connection is the accommo-
dation of thousands of people every day.
''The Mayor will also remember, 1 have
no doubt, that Mr.. Guffey, who is making
the objection to the ordinance. is the man
who furnished the largest sum of money to
defeat the Mayor when he was candidate.
I don't blame Mr.. Guffey for objecting.
He has rapid transit near enough to him,
without the proposed branch, but he is op-
posing the convenience of great many
other people"
The Court yesterday granted prelimi-
nary injunction until tomorrow, against
panies on the application of w. G. Johnston,
B. Wolfe, Jr., Melissa P. Mckee, Fred
erick w. Mckee, Melissa S. Carnahan and
William E. Carnahan, who filed a bill in
equity yesterday morning.
Another Case Like GufTey's.
The case is similar one to that brought
against the two companies by James M.
Guffey. The plaintiffs, like Mr.. Guffey, are
property owners on Fifth avenue between
Highland avenue and Shady lane. They
recite the same facts concerning the pro-
posed arrangement to the two companies to
transfer cars and passengers between the
Pittsburg Traction Company and the Will
kinsburg branch of the Duquesne Traction
Company. They further charge that the
laying of second track on Fifth avenue
viii occupy nearly all of the street and leave
no room for vehicles to pass. 1t is claimed |
that the Pittsburg Traction Company has |
no right to haul the cars of the Duquesne |
Company or permit the same to be used on |
its route. The arrangement, it is claimed, |
is illegal, and an I'M junction is asked for to |
restrain the companies from carrying out |
their transfer arrangement or laying an |
other track on Fifth avenue.
The Committee on Corporations met yes
terday and considered the Highland street |
railway ordinances, presented in Councils |
last Monday. 1t provides for the extension |
of the Duquesne line up Highland avenue |
from Bryant street to Bunker Hill street, a |
distance of about six blocks. Another pro-
vision grants right of way from Kirk
wood street down Highland avenue, across
the tracks of the Citizens line on Penn avenue
to the corner of Ellsworth avenue and Cen
ter avenue, and there connect with the line |
of the Pittsburg Traction Company and the
Duauesnes main line. The ordinance was
recommended. This will do
away with the present line to Highland ave-
uue by way of the private property of the
Duquesne line from Center avenue to Kirk
wood street. Passengers will be trans
ferred at the corner of Highland and Ellis
worth avenues as stated by President Ma
gee, of the Duquesne line, in a DISPATCH
on Friday.
Worked the Shell Game on Him.