Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-01-16
HAZLETON MEN SCARED.
VERY MUCH EXCITED OVER FREE
LANDS ELECTRIC ROAD.

Threaten to Make a Big Fight.
The announcement of the TRIBUNE
that there was some hopes of Freeland
having an electric road built was no
sooner made than one of the HaZleton
companies, known as the Hazleton and
North Side Company, had its representa-
tlves over here predicting the wonderful
things that they intend to do for the
town. While there were no prospects
of any other capitalists entering the
electric railway business here nothing
was heard of the Hazeton parties, but
the moment some one announced that
such matter was under way in earnest,
then our friends from Hazleton were eX-
ceedingly anxious to do ANYTHING and
everything for Freeland people.
The Hazeton company is one of two
or three corporations controlled by sey-
eral persons interested in the Lehigh
| Valley Railroad. They have procured
enough charters during the past year to
cover the lower end of Luzerne county
and part of Schuylkill with railroads,
but so far all their tracks and work are
visible only on paper.
Since their organization these COM
panes have been regarded by not only
the people of the North Side, but also by
many persons in Hazleton, as creatures
of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company,
and to be used by the latter company in
blockading all movements that might
possibly draw any traffic from the rail-
road. Wheather this conclusion is
correct or not the TRIBUNE cannot say,
but it is the opinion of a great many
people.
Probably the Hazleton men are Just
as much in earnest as the Union Passen-
ger Company, and if they can prove
that to the people of this side there is no
question but that their propositions for
right of way, ETC., will receive all the
consideration they merit However,
from the tone of the two articles which
we produce below, it would seem they
intend to claim everything from the
start and want Il monopoly of all privi-
leges that may be lying around. This,
froE the PUN Speaker, may throw some
light on their intentions:
The FREELAND TRIBUNE. u few days ago,
published an article detailing at length the
plans and specifications of an electric railway to
be called the Union Passenger Company of
Freeland the object of which company would
be to build an electric road from Frecland hay
ing branches in every direction and reaching
charter has not yet been applied for, this COM
pany claims to have secured the right of way
from the supervisors of the various townships
that the contemplated line will cover.
The application for n charter is now being
put in shape for presentation to the state de-
partment, but it is very likely that it will not
accomplish its object for the reason that the
law granting street railway rights, as corpora
tions says: mo company shall be granted II
charter to construct Il street railway, on any
street or highway on which any track is laid,
or authorized to be laid under any existing
charter" and as the Hazleton and North Side
Electric Company's charter covers nearly all
the points named in the Union Passenger Com
pany's application, it is very clear that the
stumbling block will be reached when the ap-
plication for charter from the new company
reaches the state department.
a reporter of the Plain Speaker called on Mr..
A. Markle, president of the Hazleton and North
Side Electric Company, yesterday afternoon.
Mr.. Markle was found in company with Mr.. A.
P. Blalleslee one of the charter members of
the Hazleton and South Side Company. When
| asked by the reporter whether he had seen the
article in the FREELAND TRIBUNE, Mr.. Marke
said that somebody had called his attention to
the article, and that as far the Frecland peo-
pie building Il railroad was concerned, he could
see no objection to it, but on the other hand
was in favor of all the rapid transit we could
get. But as to the route laid out for the Un-
ion Passenger Company, that is another thing.
A greater part of the proposed route is covered
by charters already granted to our company
and in our possession; so you can readily un-
derstand that it is not plausible that second
charter will be granted covering the same
ground"
Mr.. Marl1le said farther: 1--WE have all our
supplies bought and cars contracted for, and
have already commenced operations on the
Hazeton line and expect to have cars running
on at least part of it by the first of next may.
Our company is composed of men from Halle
ton and vicinity, who have the interest of our
city at heart, and we do not expect to make a
fortune out of the road, and the object of build
ing the road was more to benefit the city and
enhance the value of property than to make
dividend paying Investment"
From the above conversation IL will be seen
that the likelihood of the Union Passenger
Company's charter being granted is not con-
firmed by the law on the subject. That the
granting of such Il charter would be of benefit
to llazleton is debatable question on which
opinion is divided.
The last sentence in the above article
will furnish food for thought to every
one interested in Freeland. That the
granting of charter to the Union Com
pany would be of benefit to Hazleton is
mot a very debatable question, as that
company was not organized to advance
Hazleton's interest, as was its opponent.
The fact of the Speaker bringing up this
question shows from what standpoint the
Hazleton company views an electric road
on this side. If it can be worked so as to
push Hazleton ahead, then it is all right;
if it is for Freeland's interest, then they
will fight it.
The next is from the Sentinel, Mr..
Markle's paper, and may be regarded as
official. 1t studiously avoids any refer
ence to the Union Company, but goes on
to state how zealously the North Side
Company will work for Freeland's in
terests;
The managers of the North Side Electric
Railway are actively at work.
Contracts have been made for all material
and the cars will be running in Freeland be-
/