The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-11-28
FRANKLIN avenue TRACK
Railways Committee of Select COun-
Gil Listen to Arguments.
REASONS PRO AND CON HEARD
Property Owners Say Double Track
Would Be Great Injury to Them-P.
w. Gallagher of the Traction Com.
pany Argued TO tic Contrary.

A rather animated meeting of the
street railways committee of select
council was held last evening when was
considered the ordinance proposed in
the interest of the Scranton Traction
company and granting it permission to
change the tracks on Franklin avenue
from the center to the side of the street.
The session was attended by Chairman
Williams and Members Kellow and
Manley, OF the committee, and several
property owners. Although no deci-
sion was made by the committee after
hearing arguments pro and con, it is
probable that when the committee
meets Friday evening it will decide to
recommend that the ordinance pass.
For the property owners G.. b. Scott
and Everhart argued that four-fifths of
the property owners, representing $50
feet frontage out of $50 feet affected,
pettioned against the passage of the
ordinance; that the street is narrower
than Wyoming or Lackawanna avenues
and that with only single track a
serious inconvenience is found in truck
ing; that the block is occupied prlnci-
pally by wholesale houses which have
not the convenience of rear alley.
Other arguments were advanced but
special stress was made upon the petit
tion against the proposed track laying.
Mr.. Gallagher's Argument.
p. w. Gallagher, for the company,
argued that according to actual meas
urements of long bodied tracks with
projecting tailboards there would be
several inches of space between the out
side rail and the front end of the trucks
that double tracks would not interfere
with trucking or depreciate the rental
value of property; that it would be a
| boon to the company to which it is en-
titled as it would improve the street
| car service; that the company proposes
| to run its Providence and Green Ridge
| Peoples line cars inward bound through
Mulberry street to Franklin avenue,
and thence out and along the present
route, thus obviating the present plan
| of using Lackawanna avenue at the
| corner of Franklin avenue as terminal
point
Mr.. Manley had nothing to say during
the open session, but Mr.. Kellow and
| Mr.. Williams insinuated to the property
owners present that possibly 1t might
| be the best plan for councils to pass
the ordinance and let the court decide
whether the company had the right to
maintain adouble track on the section
of the avenue in question.
Previous to the audience granted the
property owners and the Traction COM
pany's representative, the committee
was in conference behind closed doors,
and from the suggestion of Members
Kellow and Williams, it appeared that
| 1t had been decided to recommend the
ordinance favorably and upon the plea
that the court could decide its legality.
What Property owners say.
! This argument was met by the prop
erty owners stating that no matter
what the company wanted the commit.
tee and councils could properly only
consider the majority petition of the
property owners; If court was to make
any decision, its aid should be asked
by the company.
The committee remained in session a
| few moments after the open meeting,
and without making a definite decision
adjourned to meet at o'clock Friday
evening, previous to the councilmanic
meeting.