The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-30
BIDDERS FOR A FRANCHISE
Mcdonald Likely to Withdraw from the
Street Railroad Field.
Has Been Given No Ground to Stand On in the
Contest-No Competition in Lines
Not Yet Made Public.

Yesterday morning. just as the Board Of
Public Works was about 10 adjourn from
its session, Col. e. A. Munson, of Chicago,
who is r. L. MoDonslds representative in
transacting the proposed Broad Ripple
street-railwsy deal in this city. and the
company's attorney. Judge Claypool.
walked into the room. Colonel Munson
first paid his respects to the press table,
and then shook hands with the members Of
the board. Tho degrees Of warmth
between his greeting ana theirs were
far removed. Judge Clsypool renamed
in the background. The members of the
board arose from their seats. and Colonel
Munson had a few moments private con-
versation with Mr.. Defrees. He and Judge
Claypool then withdrew. going TO the Of
ice of the Mayor. where they were closeted
for few minutes. The gentlemen then
left the courthouse and were not seen In 1t
during the rest of the day.
Colonel Munson il In the city with full
power TO act In the matter of streot-raii-
way franc hises In the absence of Mr.. Mo
He came with the understanding that
the board was tc have submitted
it's contract to the public on yesterday. In
this he was disappointed. The Mcdonald
u
uation. and it is not improbable that it
will withdraw from the field altogether.
Mr.. Mcdonald asked the city for q fran
chise to Broad Ripple. and said that If ID
was given him he would extend his lines TO
other parts of the city just as fast as he
possibly could. and as fast ss the city
WOULD give him the right to do so. He also
said that If he was given the Broad Ripple
right of way he would be In the field
when it came to the bidding for
a an q ha
would do so he offered to put up q guaran-
tee of So. 900 and to start the bidding at az
high as $500 00O, running it from that mp TO
as high as 81. 500. 600. 1t il now the belief of
not grant them the right of way to Broad
Ripple: that 1t intends Offering for CON-
petition only Q general franchise which
will cover all rights to streets in the
city, and that the Citizens Company has
almost an alr-tight cinch on that. This has
not been said in so many words. but it has
been inferred. Mr.. Mcdonald told the
board that he could not afford to bid
against the Citizens company unless he
had been given q chance Co get into the
city. and that unless that chance was given
him he positively wonld not BID. The way
things are shaping themselves 1t looks very
much as though the prediction of member
of the Common Council to the effect that
the Board of Public Works dad not intend
to have any ompotition would come true.
The draft of the franchise on which the
Board of Public Works and the Mayor have
been working for the last month at odd
times is about completed. and will be
ready for publication soon. Ex-clerk Bart
Parker. of the board. has been a. work on
it for the last two days. drawing up type
written copies. and will soon have his
labors completed. When that IS given out,
aud the companies meet each other in bat
tie array before the board. then the city's
hand will be discernible. Knowing ones
predict that the Citizens company will get
the franchise though 1t may have to sacrl-
fec not little in obtaining it.