The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-25
THE FINES TOBE PAIDBACK.
The Street Railways Cain a Point in
Track Watering.

The Repeal of the Compulsory Or
dinance to Come Before the Council
at Its Next Meeting-Action on the
Seaboard Company's Petition Post
poned-The South Bound Granted the
Right to Extend It's Tracks to a
River Terminus in the City.
The city council did not modify or re
peal the street car track-watering Ordi-
nance last night as was anticipated.
Alderman Haines offered an ordinance
to repeal the present ordinance alto
gether, and Alderman Wells asked that it
be carried to q second reading.
Il object. came from Alderman Dixon,
and the matter went over until the next
meeting.
When the appeal cases of the roads
against the $50 fine imposed by Recorder
Wilson for failing to effectually water their
tracks was called Alderman Myers moved
a continuance of the hearing until the
next meeting. The motion was defeated
on a call of the yeas and nays, Alderman
Pollard being the only member of the
board who supported Alderman Myers.
MARSHAL wADE's TESTIMONY.
Then about five minutes were lost in
considering the question whether the
cases should be tried together or
separately.
CITY Marshal Wade was the citvs wit
ness He testified that he had notified
the officers of the railroads several times
that they were violating section 1904 of
the city code, but no attention was paid
to the communications The marshalwas
put through a severe questioning by sew
eral of the aldermen as to his opinion
whether the railroads had ever recognized
the ordinance.
After the aldermen finished with Mar
shall Wade he was turned over to the rail-
road people for INSTRUMENTATION.
Capt. Johnston of the City and Sub
urban asked him if he meant to say the
City and Suburban had ignored the com
munication sent from the marshals Office.
A RELIGIOUS REPLY.
''No," answered Marshal Wade. Il re
ceived a letter from you saying that the
good Lord had sent rain the day before
making watering unnecessary, but you
were having a watering car built and eX
pected to comply with the ordnance
This caused quite laugh.
Manager Saussy of the Belt Line next
tackled the marshal He asked if he had
remembered whether the Belt Line
watered its tracks when operated by
mule power, but the marshal could not
remember.
Capt Johnston made a statement that
he was trying to comply with the ordi-
nance, but in the present condition of the
roadbeds the terms of the ordinance
could not be complied with. When the
roads were operated by mule power, he
said. the ruts made by the mules feet
caused the water to fall and lodge, while
under the conditions Of electric motive
power the roadbeds are level and the
water does not have the same effect.
THE BOARD INVITED TO RIDE.
Manager Saussy made a statement,
Showing that no dust arises, and that the
sweeping system of the Belt Line is more
advantageous than the use of water. The
company keeps four men employed
daily in sweeping the paved streets and
crossings, and on the sodded streets there
is no necessity for watering He con-
cluded by inviting the mayor and alder
men to take a ride around the belt some
day to get practical knowledge of this
claim that no dust arises from the run
ming of the cars.
AFTER YOU water your tracks, | sup
pose" said Alderman Dixon.
mo, replied Mr.. Saussy. "If you al
low me, ! will not water for two days
ahead, and will let you pick your day at
the dustiest season"
President Collins of the Electric Rail
way Company said he would not attempt
TO deny that his road had not complied
with the terms of the ordinance 1t is
impracticable A railroad, he said can
not be operated with satisfaction to it
self or patrons if an attempt is made to
"efectually" lay the dust. A watering
car would have to run after every passen-
ger car, and in such an event schedules
could not be made
PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T SEE DUST.
After making their statements the rail
road authorities introduced Recorder
Wilson, Reporter Sutclive, Mai. n. O. Til
ton and Ned Lowell. These gentlemen
testified that they had made special note
since the trouble arose as to the cars rails
ing dust and no dust was raised at any
point sufficiently to inconvenience either
passengers or AUDITING property. Maj.
1llton said bicycle raises more dust
than car. The witnesses are patrons of
the roads.
Mayor McDonOugh made a brief state
ment after the witnesses were examined.
he said he had instructed the marshal to
order the railroads to comply with the or
dinance several times. and when they ignor
ed the notifications heordered them on the
docket. Il live on street along which
an electric road is operated" said Mayor
McDonough, land | know that plenty of
dust is raised by the cars. Today was
the first time saw a watering car on the
electric line, although such q car may
have been operated before
THE WAY TO KILL A BAD LAW.
The question was then called for
Alderman Wells moved that the recorder
be sustained and the appeal dismissed.
Il do not think the ordinance is right or
just" said ahe, but the railroads ac-
knowledged their guilt and the recorder
had no other alternative except TO impose
the $50 fine. In my opinion the only way
TO repeal or modify Il bad ordinance is to
enforce it,"
Il am in favor of sustaining the re-
corder,' said Alderman Myers, "but do
not think the roads should be made to
pay fine for failing TO do something
which is not done by the city itself The
city does not water the streets outside of
the tracks, although they are more in
need of it than the space between the
tracks. l amend Alderman Wells mo-
ton by adding that the fines be remit
ted -
THE MAYORS OPINION.
Mayor McDonough took a hand in the
discussion at this point. while | agree
with Alderman Myers views about water
ing the Streets" said the mayor, u
think the railroads which get their valua.
bic franchises for nothing owe the people
something else besides Inconvenience