Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-11-18
And the B. P. ". and Streets, Alleys and Grades
Committee Recommends the Rejection Of
the Zane Street Ordinance.

Board OF Public Works, recommending
the rejection of the pending ordinance.
The two bodies last above named met
yesterday afternoon, as per the call
issued Thursday, and went over to the
Island in company with some OF the
officials Of the Street Railway Compa-
MES, TO have a look at the ground. A
considerable amount Of time was spent 10
examining the situation at the west end
OF Zane street, and then the gentlemen
present came back to the city and Wis
tied North Wheeling and the South
Side, looking at the condition OF the
streets traversed by the railway tracks,
with reference to the statement OF the
B. p. w. that the brick pavement had
not been replaced in the condition re-
ouired. This inspection consumed al
most the entire remainder OF the after
noon, and the Com mittee adjourned to
meet last evening before the session OF
Council.
About half-past seven the members OF
the Board and the Committee reassem-
bled, with President Erskine, OF the
Citizens Company, City Solicitor White
and City Surveyor Hoge, and the pro-
posed ordinance was taken up. At The
outset there was a suggestion from the
representatives of the city that there
should be incorporated in the measure
clause or section more binding upon the
Railway Com anies than anything con,
tanned in the original franchise OF the
Railway Companies, having for its OBJ
iect the binding Of the Companies to
strict performance of the obligation IL
put the streets torn up by them In
proper condition, and il not so done
within reasonable time, then the work
to be done by the Board Of Public
| Works and the cost thereof charged uE
TO the Companies.
After a conference between Manager
Jolly and President Erskine, OF the Cit
! izens' Company, Mr.. Erskine said his
! Company would agree to any reasona-
Bile and proper addition to the ordt
nance, but at the same time explained
that the Wheeling Railway Company
was the corporation charged by the B.
| p. w. with failure to make proper
street repairs, and not the Citizens
| Company, which asked for the present
grant. The Citizens Company leased
| its lines to the Wheeling Company, and
would own the line proposed TO be laid
down, in lieu of the old tracks leading
ND to the Back" river bridge, but the
wheeling Company would do the work
necessary to put the street in condition
for traffic. Mr.. Erskine also called at,
tention to the present bad condition oil
the street, the lateness of the season,
and the Importance Of haste, both to the
Railway Company and the public. The
ordinance contained provision for
the acceptance of the measure by
resolution of the Board Of Directors
of the Citizens Company, before ii
should go into effect, and it was sug-
gested that there should also be an &C
ceptance by the Wheeling Railway
Company. City Solicitor White pointed
out a desired change in the title OF the
ordinance, and then Mr.. Erskine, by
agreement, set about the preparation
of clause covering the additional
guarantee asked for by the Committee.
While he was engaged in this work
Mr.. Kreiter raised the point that there
ought TO be a new ordinance drawn, and
made a motion to that effect. After
some debate, during which Mr. Erskine
pointed out that the present ordinance
could be amended, Mr.. Kreiter changed
his motion to one recommending to
Council that the ordinance should be re-
iected, and this was carried unanimous
ly, and the Committee adjourned leaving
the whole matter in the air.
While this was going on, hAlf-a-dozen
members OF the First Branch OF Council,
and nine members Of the Second were
waiting In their respective chambers,
and the Police Committee were In ses-
sion down stairs, there being nearly or
quite enough members present TO make
a quorum in both Branches, bad they
Ali gotten toEether Although il was
not eight o'clock, the roll was called in
the Second Branch, and motion 10 ad-
journ was carried, without any attempt
10 gather up a quorum, and as there
was no particular use In the First
Branch members staying under the cir
cumstances. they also adjourned.
The result is that the ordinance re-
ferred to the Committee for the usual
Investigation, consideration aud amend
mept. is on it's way back, without
amendment. but with d accommodation
that il do not pass, and Zane street re-
mains in a deplorable condition. There
is no Immediate prospect OF street rail-
way travel directly with Bridgeport, via
the new bridge of the Belmont Bridge
Company. but passengers desiring TO
come to the city from Bridgeport by
street car must 60 to Etnaville
over the line OF the Ohio electric rail-
way. and there transfer 70 the Wheel
ing railway cars and come to the city
via the Wheeling Bridge Company
bridges. To get a new ordinance up.
which, OF course will be the old ordi-
nance, with the amendments suggested
last uieht-introduc e il in Council, have
it read, referred to the Com
mittee, reported back, objected
10, laid over, brought up again, and
thenpassed. il it is to pass at al,
through both Branches by q majority
vote eachstime. will easily consume the
time I'D to the first OF the year, aud as
ont door work on the streets will then
be impossible, it looks very much as
though the street must remain 10 the
condition it Is at present until spring.
and street car passengers TO and from