The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-03-19
SUPERIOR. MS. SATURDAY. INCH. 10. 1892.
street Railway Franchise Killed.

Tuesday evening when City Clerk
Dargis began the grind at the council
chamber every member except AID
Wiltse was present. The special com
mittee on the proposed new stree!
railway submitted the following re
port, prefacing it with the statement
that there were present at the open
meeting of the committee only repre-
seEtatives of the two interested par
ties The report is signed by Alder
men Cross, O'iIare and Farrell, bare
majority Of the committee:
The Douglas County Street Railway
company operates under an ordinance
passed by this council july 8, 1889. by
the terms Of the ordinance, the com
I,any is required to build certain
specified lines, all Of which have been
Luilt with the exception of the line
from Broadway to Bel!lnap on Catlin
avenue. This line it has been impos-
sible to construct because the street
has not been graced, but will be con-
structed and operated this season.
In addition the council has the pow
eT to order the company to build any
new lines and extensions it chooses.
This puts it within the power OF the
council to demand the building of
such lines as the public good requires.
T.a company is further obliged to
operate all its lines with sufficient
number of cars to accommodate the
public.
Thus it Will be seen that the present
company is under such control that it
is practically subject To the orders of
the council. and all talk about a mo-
1iopoly ae~enes meaningless III the
light Q: the facts.
The present company has not only
blilt such lines as it was required to
b. d, 'e' has shown its readiness to
meet any reasonable demand for ser
vice. Its lines reach all parts of the
city where there has been any call for
street car service, except South Super
Tor, and we are assured that such line
will be built as soon as the condition
of the streets viii warrant it.
There appears to be no feeling of
dissatisfaction with the present ser
vice; SO far as we have been able to
learn it is Ill comparison with other
cities Of greater size, extraordinarily
good.
The disposition of the present com
pany seems to be to anticipate rather
than follow the demands of the public
and no complaint has been made
against it, The incorporators of the
new company themselves on the hear
ing said they had not word to say
against the old company.
The Douglas County Street Railway
company invested its money here be-
fore the future of Superior was assured
and should be allowed to reap some
reward for its enterprise and conf
dence. 1t has made Large expendi
lures, and during the present year will
txpend over $500, 900 more us follows:
In double tracking present line; in
building double track line to South
Superior; in increasing the car service
on all lines; in doubling present power
plant and building a new car house.
We feel that the company is en-
titled to protection at the hands of
the city 50 long as it does its whole
duty The faith of the city is pledged
10 1t by its franchise, and to break
such faith, not to accommodate the
public, but to help forward another
company which has all to gain and
nothing to lose, it seems to us would
he entirely unWarranted.
When the citizens OF Superior ask
their representatives to furnish them
bette service it VIII be time for the
council 10 act, giving the Old company
preference.
We think therefore that until the
present company fails in its duties to
the public or there is demand for other
or better street car service. no further
street car privileges should be granted
on our streets and we therefore re-
spectfully recommend that the said
ordinance referred to us be not
adopted.
Aldermen Derig and Moriss,.t sub
mitted the following as the views of
the minority:
We recommend that the franchise
as prayed for be granted, with the
following provisions and limitations:
Tha, the City of Superior shall re-
ceive annually during the FIVE years
succeeding the two Years following the
granting Of tbs franchise sum not
less than ) Eei cent. of the gross earn
inss Of said company.
That during the succeeding five years
the city shall receive 4 sum not less
than + ter cent. and that during the
balance Of The term of such franchise
lie city shall receive Il sum not less
than per cent. of the gross earnings
Of said company.
That the life of the franchise pro
posed be limited To twenty-five years
Tia. the city at the end of twenty
five Years from the granting If the
franchise may. through the mayer and
common council. if they deem it ex-
rcdient purchase of the said street
railway company at its actual valpe
and III the condition found, all the
buildings, necessary lands. .,lant and
apparatus OF said company, ana with
out any amount III excess of value tor
privilege of franchise or good will, or
II the city SO elect may sell such pri-
Slrges
That the said company shall com
mence active operation in construction
within sixty days after the granting of
such franchise.
AID ner.g moved the adoption of
the ordinance with the changes recon-.
mended i'll the statement of the minor
its of the committee. Aid. Beglinger
moved 10 amend by re-referring the
ordinance to the street railway com
mt.ee for conference of the pIomot
ers Of the project and the embodiment
of such portions of the minority:
views as could be agreed on by tn,
committee and the new company Mr
Begllnger also suggested other change
he thought advisable, ohiecting TO III,
gross earnings being made the basi
Of the city's percentage and in>istin:
Oh some more definite stipulation il
the matter Of poles or trolly wires. II
thought there should be some prov.s
ion in regard TO extensions.
AID. Cross Selling a Parllamentar,
opportunity moved as an amendmen
,p,ap1p,nnt Yh. a.Fi