The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-09
STREET RAILWAY CHARTER
Opinions from Various Sources on the
New Franchise Offered.
Mcdonald Will Bid-Mason S~ilent-Judes
Elliott Thinks Ii Burdensome-Coun-
cilmen Look PavOrably on It.

The new street-railway franchise was the
subject of much discussion yesterday
among all classes of people and the opinions
were almost as variant as the men who ex-
pressed them, yet the general trend was to
the effect that the Mayor and Board Of
Public Works had drawn q document that
protected the interests of the city very
well.
As one of the city officials expressed il.
yesterday. "the trouble has just begun.
The next step is its acceptance by some cor
poration, the Citizens company or some
outside bidder. Then, after the contract ia
entered into. it must 60 to the Council for
acceptance or rejection. All Of this will,
OF course, take time. The board has
invited representatives of proposed bid
ding companies TO meet on April 10, and it
will then probably be a coupleo Of weeks. il
not a month. before q cor tract is entered
into. It will then go to the Council, which
W.. probably require Q month to consider
she matter fully before action. Then the
Mayors approval Is necessary. but IL the
franchise goes through In it's original form
there will be no question as to his sig
nature. for he has had q large voice In
drawing il MP as it stands"
II II SAY.
President Mason. OF the Citizens com-
pany. yesterday declined to express any
opinion on the new franchise without con.
pultation with his directors. and stated
that thew would probably have nothing to
say until they made their proposition to
the board at the appointed time. Un-
doubtedly the nature OF Its proposition
will depend much upon what outside bid
ders offer.
X. T. Mcdonald Is on his way to New
York. Yesterday he was Intercepted By q
telegram from Charles A. Munson, his con-
fdential agent: and will probably return
asked point blank yesterday whether or
not Mr.. Mcdonald would bid on the fran
chise. II think he WILL" he replied.
81 am not authorized to say. so
s sSi b0 have h. not seee assS s pereh is.ni
the Broad Ripple Park. and 10 anxious to
get q line to the city. AT that time he ex.
pressed q willingness to bid for q general
land propositions to the city. He will
probably be here himself soon, and then
you can find out what he will do. i be-
leve, however. that any outside company
that buys this franchise will have to 60
into court with it,
Even after 19O1P'
Certainly now, and then also. I lmag-
fne."
than any of those who had been dipping
into the street-ear business. While not
prepared TO say what the people he repre-
sented would do he added that he found In
such q thing ss Infilcting burdens SO heavy
that no one would bid. 1t might be that
these requirements would exclude ell bid
ding.
of Public Works to obtain copies of the
document to mail to New York capitalists,
for whom he has been making inquiries.
and was told that the morning newspapers
contained full and complete copies.
WHAT Fl CoUNCILMEN SAY.
A partial canvass of the members Of the
Council yesterday indicates that that body
is likely to look upon the franchise with
favor.
81 have not considered tho document
thoroughly" said President Murphy. but
nt first blush it looks like a very fair and
reasonable contract for the city. While l
pannot say what opinion discussion of 1t
nsy develop. it looks like q good thing"
IL have not read it thoroughly" said
Councilman Ryan. chairman of the fran
chlse committee, but IL looks like q very
fair franchise from the city's point of
view. While / am not prepared To give q
final opinion. / am inclined to think 1t 10 q
good franchise"
Il read &c over hastily" said Councilman
Cooper. one of the leaders of the Repub-
lican side IN the chamber, and laidit aside
for further study. So far MS / have gone, |
am very favorably impressed with it,
though 1 doubt the wisdom of the city op-
ton elanse. The city does not want to buy
the plant. We have too much politics as il
IL. and 1 do not believe in having the city
Inn any of those thiE rs. However, that
question would more properly come mp at
that time-lt does not cut much figure now.
As for the rest. It looks very fair for the
city,"
The other members of the Council seen
did not differ materially in their views
from these.
OPINIONS OF OTHERS.
Among business men and others seen on
the streets yesterday. the one opinion ex-
pressed was that the matter should be
settled as early as possible and
q franchise given to some CON-
pany or other. in order that all
she lines may be equipped with
electricity ana much needed extensions
made. The real estate interest Is particu-
larry anxlons IN this regard. Il don't feel
competent" said Robert Martindale, Ito
discuss the merits OF the franchise offered.
That is a matter the board must deal with
and IL has ny s. mpathy. but AS q property
hope that n contract fair and just to both
sides can be entered into in order that
much needed extensions can be built and
the lines properly equipped"
Il read the franchise over coming in on
the tram" said County Auditor Thomas
1aggart, who arrived home yesterday
afternoon, land / think the work is well
done. IL 10 far ahead of any thing we have
known hero in the way of u public
franchise. i believe it is a good thing for
the city ana that the peoples interests are