Chicago eagle., 1893-06-17

Ine cndrIer or Jne city IDdJ III was
the intention Of its trainers that the
City Council should pass ordinances
enabling any man or body of men to
make money. There is no evidence
whatever that the public asks for this
ordinance. This scheme was con-
cocted in a private Office and adj
vanced by paid counsel. 1t was
thrown unexpectedly upon an unsus-
pecting public and brought quietly
upon the Council by few men acting
only for their own interests. 1t is
useless to say rapid transit is desired
by the people, for the people are not
clamoring for three elevated roads
lying so close together as this, the
Lake street, and the Metropolitan
elevated roads would be-
The main branch by the ordinance
is authorized to be located some
where between the north line of
Madison street and the south line Of
Adams street. running thence west
ward to the limits of the city. Other
branches from this road run for long
distances north and south over wide
districts Of territory. The main
branch is required to be built within
two years; for the others term of
six years is given. No limitation
whatever is made as to the time
when such main road or its several
branches are to be located or determ-
ined. This therefore spreads a mort
gage over a large area of territory
running from the passage of the or
dinance up to six years The prop
erty owners along lines that may
be selected by this road and its !
branches have the sword of Damocles
over them with no power |
to learn definitely when and where |
it will fall within two to six years.
The Tunnel Right.
Sec. authorizes the company to |
build a tunnel and construct its road |
therein under any portion of the ter
ritory lying between Washington
ton street and Jackson street, COM |
in Michigan avenue and |
running west to point to be located
somewhere between Desplaines street |
and Center avenue, under private |
wherever the company may
choose, or under Madison street or
Monroe street. There is no limita-
tiOn as to the amount Of space to be
occupied in Michigan avenue for the
Of this road. How
much Of Michigan avenue may be
occupied is entirely within the dis
cretion of the company; it may oc-
cupy the whole OF the street and for
quite long distances. This could
not be granted under law without a
petition from the property owners
abutting that portion OF Michigan
avenue which shall be required for
said commencement of the tunnel.
Such a use of Michigan avenue may
possibly be so large as to practically
destroy the use of the street.
This section also authorizes this
to locate its tunnel and road
under private property, with four
tracks, turnouts, sidetracks, etc,
between the northern and southern
limits as laid down by the ordinance.
This IS right which no City Coun-
ell is authorized to give. A mans
in land extends from the sky
to the center Of the earth This
tunnel may at the discretion Of the
be so located as to run under
one Of the lofty and weighty build
ings now Oh or hereafter to be built
On private property within this limit.
The weight OF such buildings press
ing heavily upon the surface, posi-
bly, resting upon pocket OF quick
sand, Of which there are many in |
the heart of the city, might cause its
should a tunnel he built
under it or somewhere close to il.
This would be all the more possible
in tunnel large enough to hold four
tracks. Some of these buildings cost
vast sums Of money; the bonds OF
the company would be but baga-
telle for the protection OF the owners
Of such buildings should the tunnel
cause them injury. 1t is not i'm
probable that the courts would de-
clare that a petition would be neces.
sary from the property-owners TO run
under the surface of the street.
Sec. requires the Commissioner
OF Public Works 10 approvc the nIane