Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-06-19
DISCUSSED and REFERRED
An Interesting Meeting of the
City Council Held Yester-
day Afternoon
The Electric Street Railway
Question the Topic of
Discussion
No Action Taken on the Ap-
plication---A Spirited
Debate

Pursuant to adjournment the city conn
Gil met yesterday afternoon tor the pur-
pose of discussing the application Tor a
franchise by the Bellngham Bay or New
Whatcom Electric Street Railway com
pany. The announcement that the ques-
tiOn would be discussed was sufficient TO
attract large crowd to the council cham
bers. Every one came for the purpose of
listening to an interesting discussion, and
in this no one was disappointed. AttOr-
ney C. w. Dorr appeared for the New
Whatcom company, while james A. Kerr
represented the Fairhaven company.
Mayor Wilson presided at the meeting.
Councilmen Allerton, Aubery, Christo-
pher, Darling, Kinghorn and MonOhan
were present; Donovan absent. The
reading Of the minutes of the previous
meeting was dispensed with.
Mayor Wilson stated that the business
OF the meeting would be the discussion Of
the street railway franchise, and for the
transaction OF urgent business.
In reply to an inquiry, City Clerk Egan
stated that the franchise had not yet been
given to City Attorney Howard, as that
gentleman was busy attending court. In
view of the fact that without the report
OF the city attorney the council would be
unable to take any definite action, IL was
agreed that an informal discussion of the
ordinance should take place. painful
and lengthy silence followed the passage
of this motion, until Councilman Darling
started the ball by asking the applicants
IL the franchise would be acceptable to
them as amended and changed.
Councilman Darling stated that IL was
the general impression that the franchise
was on its final passage; this was erro-
neous. 1t was only placed in position
so that II an agreement could be arrived
at and proper arrangements coDsum-
MA ted, no difficulty would be encountered
and no time wasted in its final passage.
The council was waiting to see what dis
position would be made with the apph-
cation Of the Fairhaven company by the
council of New Whatcom. The principles
of reciprocity would govern the matter.
c. w. Dorr, attorney for the Bellingham
Bay company, stated that the company
was willing to accept the franchise as
amended, with the exception OF the eX-
tension on Larrabee avenue. The hill
leading to Twenty- first street was so
steep as to make 10 practically insur-
mouutable. If Mckenzie or Mill avenues
were substituted the route would be ac-
ceptable, as the grade on the streets is
not so steep as on Laffabee avenue. 1t
would be impossible fol- the company to
build and operate the line to Twenty
first street in ninety DAYS. This was a
physical impossibility and the company
would not attempt to do anything unrea.
sonable. A bond for 81 600 would be filed
by the company, guaranteeing that IL
would construct and operate the line as
first suggested, In the time specified.
The company did not have sufficient
60 90 ~
l In response 10 an inquiry, City Engi-
neer Allerton stated that the grade on
Larrabee avenue was 1919 per cent and
that the maximum grade ON which cleo
trio railways can be operated, is l3 per
cent.
James A. Kerr, attorney for the Fair
haven company, stated that when the
principles OF reciprocity, OF which Coun-
| Gilman Darling spoke, were manifested,
| he wanted the council to give the COM
pany as good a location and route as pos
slble. He wished TO Inquire what conces-
-ions would be made by the New
Whatcom company for the privileges
asked for. He wanted 1t understood that
| the Fairhayen company would meet the
Belllngham Bay company more than
| half way on any proposition.
Mr.. Dorr wanted it distinctly nuder-
stood that the Bellingham Bay company
did not control the New Whatcom cOun-
4 u,
| mated that his company controlled the
| Fairhaven council.
| Mayor Wilson interrupted Mr.. Dorr by
l saying he did not understand any such in
| timation being made.
| Mr.. Dorr said that matters before the
| New Whatcom council were In a rather
complicated condition, third company
characterized by Mr.. Dorr as paper
| company, having filed an application fol
a franchise The franchise applied foi
by Colonel Thum and his associates ha'
already been reported upon fayorably by
the street committee, and would douOties
pass, unless Colonel Thum refused TO ac
cept the route as mapped out along Gar
den street. The street committee haC
| voluntarily added practicable an(
feasabe route to the business center o
New Whatcom. The Belllngham Ba!
company would not make any objection
to the granting OF franchise over an.
street In New Whatcom that is no
already occupied.
| Mr.. Kerr placed rough sketch of tn
| lines and proposed routes on the wall AM
proceeded to explain the difference In tn
routes OF the two companies. The Fair
haven company Is compelled TO take
back street In New Whatcom, construct
bridge across Whatcom creek and terml
nate In the woods In the rear OF the cour
house.
Mr.. Dorr said that the Fairhaven com
pany was not asked TO surrender any pof
tion of its franchise. 1t was not asked
change its route or deviate from It's cours
| nor TO give up its rights on any stree
The Bellingham Bay company claims a
exclusive franchise on Elk street and di
not intend TO relinquish any part OF tht
thoroughfare. AT no time has an appl
cation been made for franchise on Ell
street. The New Whatcom council wa
willing TO give Colonel Thum the right
loperate road on the streets asked n b
him. Garden street Is valuable tho
oughfare and would prove valuable an
profitable route.
Captain Roeder, when called upol
stated that he had nothing to say, whi
- Mr.. Roth, on behalf OF himself and MessI
McKelar and Stenger, stated that u
ground had been fully covered by NJ
Dorr and that they indorsed everythir
= said by that gentleman.
Mr.. Kerr remarked that II the Bellinl
ham Ray company refused to make an
concessions, the Falrhaven compal
would be unable to touch any part OF Il
business center OF New Whatcom.
A motion was made and seconded TO II
the franchise on the table. On the CT
for question, Councilman Kingho
stated that on behalf OF the Iudicla
Y committee and In view OF the insui1l
: article In the HERALD written by the
\ porter for the HERALD, he wished TO sta
i that the committee had reported favo