Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-27
A LOOSE ORDINANCE.
Laurel Citizens Object to q Street Railway
Law.

LOOSE ORDINANCE.
Laurel Citizens Object to a Street Railway
Correspondence Of The Evening Star
LAUREL, ND. June ~. 1893
The much-talked-of and generally discussed
plan to construct a boulevard connecting the
two great cities Of Baltimore and Washington
has been revived here by the passage Of the fol-
lowing ordinance by the city council Of this ctys
BE IT enacted and ordained by the mayor
and city council of Laurel. Maryland, that the
Baltimore and Washington Tramway Company
Is hereby granted the right and franchise to
build. equip and operate a railway IN and
through the city Of Laurel. Maryland, over and
along such route or routes as NAV be most
practicable, to be determined by an actual sur
vey, to be made ty said company; provided,
that the survey shall be made within six
months"
The adoption by the CITY council of the abovs
measure has proyok ID general agitation and
discussion of the matter, both as to the richts
OF the city il the ordinance should become q
law and the privileges of the boulevard COM
pany in entering the city and surveying the
streets Tor the purpose Of selecting a route or
routes. There seems to be a well-developed
opposition to the measure. and the arguments
brought forward by those who oppose the ordi-
nance are strong and reasonable
Ii Is argued that the mayor and city council
should remember that they have great interests
Entrusted TO their keeping, and that they are
not disposing Of the property and bartering the
rights OF themselves only. but OF every resident
of Laurel, when they grant franchises TO indi-
viduals or corporations without due cousidera-
ton and without the necessary restrictions and
limitations.
The ordinance is a singularly novel one. but
its counterpart has been once before in the his
tory OF Laurel In that case however there
was a clause IN the franchise granting the use
OF the streets Of the city for railway purposes,
but requiring the work to be performed and the
cars 70 be in operation within a specified time
upon penalty Of forfeiture.
LOOSELY DRAWN.
The present ordinance is about as loosely
drawn Al the greatest railroad attorney could
suggest or plan. There is no opposition to
the boulevard on the part Of our people, Who
are more In favor OF encouraging the project
than IN retarding it, The boulevard corpors-
ton already has the right to use the line OF the
old Washington turnpike, which passes directly
through this city, and NJ that route does not
suit II will only be necessary 20 select the route
through Laurel that will be most advantageous,
and there will be no opposition 10 giving the
right of way.
But the opponents to the provisions Of this
ordinance say that IL does not confine the COM
pany to one or two routes through the town,
street may be surveyed by the company after
the ordinance IL passed The right OF the
town as to the control Of the streets is gone
And, again. ii is pointed out that IL the
boulevard corporation should fail to construct
! that great roadway that corporation could act
the dog in the manger and refuse TO relinquish
any OF its rights to a company that would
build it.
The reasonable and sensible plan. these per-
sons say. would be for the boulevard company
| to designate the particular street il desires TO
occupy, and then, II in the judgment of the
mayor aud city council the request was a rea-
sonable and proper one. il could be granted,
with restrictions making the grant void unless
the read was built on the streets and operated
by the company within a reasonable time. IL
Of way through the town, and il il wants others
il should say SO clearly and specifically before
the adoption Of the ordinance, and also agree
that IL the Routes selected are not used BY it
they should revert to the town.
The next meeting of the city council will take
| place in July. and BY that time il is thought
that public sentiment will be such as TO induce
Mayor Hunt TO veto the measure.
OTHER NEWS.
The shirt factory Of Messrs. E. Rosenfeld q
Co., in this city, is closed down temporarily.
The closing is only for a few days for the pur-
pose of adding to the amount Of stock on hand.
Operations will be resumed on Thursday morn
| ing with an increased force The factory en-
ploys nearly one hundred operatives.
Rev. G. W. Hubbs Of Baltimore has recently
painted the portrait Of Rev. John Lanahsn,
ID. d., OF this city, who has presented il 10 the
Methodist Historical Society.
| Messrs. J. II. s. Compton and Barnes Comp
| ton. jr.. sons Of Congressman Barnes Compton,
have marked of fine tennis court at their
home here and are ready TO receive challenges.
Mrs. S. L. Reed. after pleasant visit TO her
daughter, Mrs. Walk Of this city, has returned
to her home in Washington.
Mr.. Owen n. Baldwin, who has been in Chi
cago for several months discharging the duties
of an official position at the United States fish
exhibit OF the worlds fair is home.
Mr.. James Albert Clarke and family have 70
moved to Oak Crest Hotel for the summer.
! Mr.. John McAffee has returned home after Q
visit to Washington friends.
| CHAs BYSUM. son Of Congress Bynum vas
| thrown from horse at 14th and ID streets yes
terday and striking on his head received q bad
scalp wound. He was treated at the Emergency
Hospital and removed to his home, 1874 lsth
| street
The members Of the Stonecutters' Union last
evening cast their votes for the general ofioers
The result will be sent to the general headquar-
! tiers in Cincinnati
|