The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-05-02
THOSE DOUBLE TRACKS
Which the Electric Company
Wants on North Main Street
The SUBJECT OF LIVELY DEBATE
At a Meeting of the Council Commit
tee on Streets, Alleys and Grades
last EveninG-A Number of Prolni.
ncnt Citizens of North Wheeling
Present Petition and Appear in
Person-ActIon is Deferred for Elk.
animation,

Last night IN interesting meeting OF
the council committee on streets, alleys
and grades was held at the city build.
ing. the main subject to be considered
being the proposed double track on
North Main street for the Wheeling
electrical railway company, 1t was we'll
attended.
General Manager jolly, OF the street
railway company, Messrs, John ],
Jones. D. G. Morgan, the Messrs, stifel,
Dr. Hazlett and Mr.. Alfred Caldwell
were present, in addition to the mem.
beers OF the committee, who were
Me:srs. Dobbins, Milllgan, Grimm,
Knoke and Kryter City Engineer
Hoge was also present part OF the time.
The committee waited some time for
Mr., Kenny, the First ward member OF
the committee, but no failed to appear
The object OF the meeting was stated,
and Mr. Caldwell was given the floor.
He stated the objections OF the residents
OF North Main street TO, the double
track, and also presented a formal peti.
ton, numerously signed by prominent
property holders ON the street, includ-
ing the gentlemen present and others,
requesting that the franchise be not
granted.
1t was represented that all household
supplies for residents OF the street must,
owing to arrangement OF the alleys and
the steep grades, be received from Main
street, and to put another track there
would make the space between the side
walk and the track so narrow that
wagons would not have room.
Mr.. Caldwell further objected to the
fact that the franchises OF the Wheeling
company are perpetual The residents
along the line in dispute, he said, OBJ
jected to giving SO valuable franchise
away forever. AS to the company's
claim that it could not construct the
line up Market street, he did not think
it had much weight. The company did
not want to pay for ground over which
1t could construct its tracks to connect
on Main street. This ground was un.
occupied, and would not be very
costly, A little trestling, also, would
obviate the objection as to the grades,
Mr.. Caldwell spoke very exhaustively
and covered about all the points that
have ever been advanced, including tho
fact that Main street residents do not
want the second track, and Market
street people do. So far as the'question
OF revenues is concerned, no held that
there would be even more income on
the Market street loop than il the
tracks were paralleled on Main. II the
track conld not be operated up Market
and down cross street. say Fourth or
Fifth, to Main, and with safety, they
could be operated up Main and from
that street up to Market.
Mr.. Jolly said the former streets,
alleys and grades committee had gone
over the line with him, aud accom-
panied by the city engineer, who care
fully surveyed the grades and curves.
The members OF the committee agreed
with him that the only practicable
point at which q connection could be
made from Market to Main was at Sew
enth. The grade there was over eleven
per cent. 10 90 to Coal street was no
better. The street was very narrow,
and the grade to and from it steep, while
to reach it would require two right
angled turnings. Thesurveys made by
Engineer Hogo had been submitted to
the best railroad engineers in the coun-
try, aud they unanimously said it
would DO folly to attempt to operate
such line. The danger would be so
great that II an accident should happen,
as it probably would, the company
would be cursed by the people for reck-
lessness, and doubtless come in for
heavy damages for its cars running
through houses and killing lot OF
people, The company would be glad
to adopt the loop route by way OF Mar
ket street If it were practicable, but 1t
was not.
DR.. r. W. Hazlett presented a strong
array Of arguments on behalf OF the cit
liens who object to the double track.
He stated the importance OF leaving
room open on tho street for wagons to
deliver ice, meat, coal, vegetables and
other things, and held that there was
more danger from double track than
a steep grade. He said the objection to
the steep grade to or from Market street
was more sentimental than real. He
thought that the Market street limo was
entirely practicable.
Mr.. Jolly repeated that the company
would be glad to go up Market II 1t
could, but the opinion OF practical engi-
noers was that 1t could not be done.
He invited those present TO ask him
any questions that occurred to them.
Mr.. Stifel asked what objection there
was to running electric cars on one line,
with switches, as was done several
years ago. Mr.. Jollysaid he thought
he had already explained us to that;
with one track Cur was likely to be
disabled on tho track, and this throws
tho whole system out, With double
track another cur simply comes along
and pushes the disabled one on.
Mr.. Stifel-Unfortunately, many
North Wheeling people think that be-
cause they did not do what tho street
car company dictated, tho company
has put on tho mule cars to punish
them.
Mr.. Jolly disclaimed any such in
tention. He aaid the company had put
on tho service on North Main street be.
cause il was tho best thoy could do.
They did not claim any credit for tho
service, II tho council and tho citizens
thought tho franchise asked was not
Justly due, or that the proposed i'm.
provcmcnt would not DO OF advantage,
tho company did not want It, Tho pro.
posed tracks would coat $4,000 or 500.
900, and II tho company could not no
permitted to expend this sum there, II
would doubtless expend II elsewhere.
II had not money In such quantities rs
to to throw it away II thOro was
any doubt Of its bclng probably In.
vested, To operate the North Wheel.
ing line pfohtablylt mtiAt be known to