Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-10-16
PICKED UP BY THE WAY.
THINGS SEEN AND HEARD IN THE
TOWN AND VICINITY.

Matters of a Local Nature commented
Upon and Placed Before the Readers of
the "Tribune" in Large Letters-Some
Paragraphs May Interest You.
1t was on Friday for the first
time in several months that |
heard any one speak of
the electric railway, over
which our citizens and busi-
ness men had such an interest
ing agitation last spring.
From the tone of the conversa-
ton, and l am pretty certain
the gentlemen knew whereof
they were speaking, it is evi-
dent that the Scranton com
pany, which was given the
right of way through the bor-
ough, has sunk into oblivion
as far as Freeland is con-
cerned. AS a result we will
live in darkness, and the peo-
pie of the outside towns will
be compelled to plod through
the slush and snow another
winter at least if they desire
to visit Freeland.
A backward glance at the
proceedings which have taken
place convinces me that the
matter as advocated then was
on rather narrow basis and not
altogether for the best inter
ests of the town. 1t was sim
ply a contest between the
friends of two companies for
the right of way for one, when
to have done the matter wisely
the both should have been
given equal privileges. To
have competing companies was
not thought of, at least it die
not have any prominence, al
though to drive trade and make
it brisk, almost everyoneknows
competition is at all times
necessary. Apparently, to Gre
ate a monopoly of both trade
and railway service within
the limit was the end to be at
tanned.
One of the gentlemen re.
marked that "Freeland mer.
chants were afraid of the Haz.
Teton business men competing
with them in case a through
line ran between the two
places, and this was the reason
they preferred the Scranton
company to have the right of
way" | have no doubt but
the Hazleton men will spread
largely here for trade when
an electric road between the
both places becomes reality.
and until then very little can
be said about the loss or gain
to either town. However,
have not the least hesitation in
saying that the merchants of
this place will not be at any
loss, because l am satisfied
they can sell as cheaply anc
have the quality as good as
can be done in Hazleton OF
elsewhere and be as obligine
to their customers.
Notwithstanding all this,
every man who earns his
money by hard work has or
ought to have the privilege of
saying how and where it shall
be spent. But the opinions of
many of the residents of the
mining towns adjacent to Free.
land are, now as then, that
their interests were ignored
from the fact that the only
market intended for them was
Freeland, where if the Halle.
ton company had been permit
ted to run its line to Freeland,
without being opposed, they
could purchase to the best ad-
vantage. Then the merchants
of Freeland would have an
equal chance to compete for
trade with those of Hazleton.
from the towns of Ebervale.
Harleigh, Milnesville, Latti-
mer and even Hazleton, as in
a year or so, when the Jeddo
tunnel is completed, work will
be resumed at several of these
places.
From what I can learn the
Hazleton company will not at
tempt to reach Freeland with
their road before the weather
opens next spring, and from a
rapid transit view of the mat
ter there is not much consola-
tion in this, either for the Free
land business men or their Gus
toners who reside in the
outside towns. The company
it seems, proposes to take care