The record-union., 1891-07-18
The P-street Franchise.

EDS. RECoRD-UNIOE: When the mat
ter relative to the P-street franchise
comes up on Monday next for recon
sideration, l most respectfully urge upon
the Trustees in the name of the people to
at least do US justice in this much de-
layed and important case. Ask the peo-
pie whom you serve what their interest
and wish is. But it seems to me that this
fact is too well known to need repetition.
Those residing within four or five blocks
of street have voluntarily expressed
themselves in favor of this road. Why
should not this franchise be granted?
w hat reason do our Trustees give for re-
fusing it? Can it be because it inter
feres with the individual rights of others?
1t has been asserted that it can benefit
only those who live on this particular
street; if this is so how can it injure any
but the same people? a great many
claim that they would rather have the
poles placed a block or more from their
street.
These people have consented to have
the track placed on their street for the
benefit OF all who may wish to ride, in
cludlng the citizens of this city in general,
as it will convey thousands to the base
ball grounds and Oak Park. If they
have seen fit to injure themselves and to
benefit others at their expense, why
should the Trustees complain?
But they tell Us that it will injure Mr..
Carey. Does he acknowledge that he can
not compete with this new road? 1t is
true Mr.. Carey has an interest in this
city, he has lived here a great many
years, but after all he is only an indi-
vidual with the same individual rights
and protection that is afforded to any
single person. He has not only been
protected, but has for number of years
enjoyed an exclusive right in the street
railways of this city. He had to only ask
for franchise and it was granted. We
have asked him to make extensions.
promising him our support, and to make
some efforts IN keeping up with the
modern times. He has had all of these
opportunities, and what has been his
action in the promotion Of public accom-
mediation? We have patiently waited for
him, expecting that the more modern
improvements would superSede the
ancient system that is still in operation
upon his road, but this IS not ALL He
has forgotten that as the terminus of his
railway has been marked these many
years by the same familiar spot, that the
city has since grown.
If it was necessary for the exigencieS of
the public, as it certainly was, that his
track should be laid to Twentieth street
when 1t was first constructed, what can
he imagine to-day, from the long lapse of
time that has intervened, are the business
last six or seven years the southeastern
portion has grown up, and what was then
almost an uninhabited district is to-day
ornamented by family residences. He
has refused to make any provision for
these people, who have been compelled
to walk to the terminus Of his line, which
is one half of their distance before they
could think of riding.
Before he purchased the Meyer ex-
tension there were two cars in service
but he Immediately removed one for the
service of the O-street line, and about
once in every hour the old bob-tail car puts
in an appearance. If he claims that this
is done at his expense for the accommo-
dation of the people / ask him not to be
SO improyident in the personal expendi-
lures that he makes for us, but take off the
last car, for it is comparatively OF no
value to us.
Knowing the truth of fthese facts he comes
before the Trustees and asks them to pro-
tect him against competition. Has he,
too, forgotten the qualified position which
the Trustees occupy and the voice which
the people have on this subject? Or, do the
Trustees deny their right as taxpayers
and supporters of this city to assert their
interest in this cause? From the men,
bers Of this representative body they have
borne this abuse-the denial of their
public rights, the peculiar acts of others
and have at last been informed that they
are incompetent to express their opinion
in this matter of public zeal. But
when did they discover our incom-
potency? 1t seems to me that can re-
member but short time since our peo-
pie were highly eulogized upon their
personal qualification to act as voters;
but the time is near when we will again
be called upon TO decide the competency
OF those who are to represent US in office
at the next term.
Mr.. Carey has been afforded all the
protection which any reasonable man
could expect. When he says that compe-
tition Will for time injure his business
he but expresses the sentiment of every
individual when he realizes that in order
10 compete with others he must offer the
same facilities to the public. His roads
are laid in the best localities, all intersect-
ing at X and Tenth streets, and all the
protection he needs is to offer sufficient
accommodation for the requirements of
a growing city. As has been said in an
evening paper, there should be no per-
sonal consideration in this cause. IF
NJ. Hen@y failed 70 reasonably accom-