The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-04-07
STREET CAR LINES.
Board Of Aldermen Discusses
Extended Franchises.
MADISON AND WEST STREETS.


The board Of aldermen held q session
last night chiefly for the purpose Of con-
aidering applications for the extension of
street car franchises which had already
been favorabiy acted upon By the other
house. Alderman Daulton occupied the
chair and there were also present Messrs.
Ingram, Cram, Miller, Brewer. Carrie and
Stocks.
The frst one taken mp Was the Madison
street bill. In support of which DIR. A. p.
Mitten attended the session. Alderman
Ingram moved 20 make the service at
fifteen minutes' interval, but DR.. Mitten
asked the members not to insist upon that
amendment. The line Was now giving .
Eve minutes' service. and there Was no
doubt the rosd would run cars o. often a.
needed. but the objection was 70 insisting
upon IL - one Of the conditions Of fran
chise whose breach might work . for
feiture.
The amendment was adopted, and Mr..
Ingram then moved to limit the width
Of the cable slot TO threc-quarters Of IN
inch.
DR.. Mitten said the company had made
IN offer Of thousands and thousands of
dollars to the city In return for judicious
treatment The slot was sevcn-eighths Of
an inch wide, and could not be made
smailer Ut places where there was curve.
The slot allowed dirt to gather. and it was
20 the company's interest to keep it a.
narrow - possible. He did not desire to
BE- captious, but there was no use IN bind
Ing them with such details.
After some discussion Mr.. Csrle sug-
gested that II might be made three-quar-
tiers and seven-eighths ct points. Alder
man Miller said the Madison street line
was bettefs than the others. but on some .
rood-sixed express wagon could drop in.
Mr.. Carries suggestion was adopted.
The houss had put in a provision requir-
ing that electricity should be used If it be-
came practicable. but the board objected
TO it. The board also struck out the pro-
vision giving the council the right to re-
duce fares below cents. but retained
that preventing it being more than Scents
On the subject OF freight cars. DR.. Nit
ten said the council could do a. it pleased.
Strawberries and other fruit were brought
in and merchandise taken Mt q small sum.
Transfers could not haul them except at
Yuinous prices. If the council stopped
freight cars it would impose hardship
on the people. but would not hurt the CON-
panies.
Alderman Miller had no objection, but
the car the company used was worse than
. prairie schooner and scared horses.
DR.. Mitten replied that the company had
the material for good freight car, but was
waiting to know what the council
would do.
The ordinance was left so that the coun-
ell could prohibit the running of freight
cars if they become Objectionable.
The bill was then again read in full, al
amended and passed.
The application of d. II. Gilman for an
extended franchise for tine West street car
line was then taken up. The amendments
made by the house were concurred in until
the section was reached referring to freight
cars. Aldermen Ingram and Miller, on
account Of the obstruction caused by the
car. advocated limiting the traffic so tina,
freight should not be delivered or received
south of University street. but Mr.. Gilman
raised the objection that such an arrange
ment would necessitate the construction
OF spur. as freight cars must stand while
being loaded, and would form an obstruc-
ton without switch. II was flnally re-
solved not to insist upon the restriction.
On the subject of poles in the middle OF
the street M. Gilman assured the board
that as soon ~ possible the company
would put poles on the outside of the
track.
Alderman Miller desired to make the
service fifteen minutes, but Mr. Gilman
said the road simply could not afford it.
The road Is doing the very best it can; /,
gives good service. running cars for six
miles every half hour and during most OF
the day every twenty minutes.
Mr.. Ingram said they were legisiatinp
tor long time ahead; the time nigh,
come when fifteen minutes service would
be necessary; and Mr.. Gilman replied tina,
seif-interest would insure granting it.
Alderman Garlic proposed twenty min.
u;es Til O'Clock. and then tn irty min.
utes.
Alderman Brewer said the members b sd
40 idea of the difficulty the roads were
iahoring under; he thought the reius
should not be drawn too tightly.
The motion was lost and the time re-
tanned at thirty minutes.
After second reading Alderman Mile,
moved TO commit Mr.. Gilman said many
hurdensome provisions had been insisted
upon, and he appealed To the board not tc
delay. Alderman Ingram said he was Oh
posed to the bill IN its present shape
those who voted FAYE" now would have
ATTY years TO regret it in
The house adjourned till tonight with,
put final action.