St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-07-25

The Fifth Ward Transfer Railway
company has secured an extension Of
time on its franchise for another year.
and is In position to hold on to a valua-
BILE concession for that length OF time
without an obligation to perform the
conditions of the ordinance granting
the privileges, valued, as stated, ali
S5,000,0O0.
The extension was not secured with
out a struggle in the committee room,
and to all appearances it was foregone
conclusion that the ordinance for the
extension would receive a favorable
report aud finally pass the assembly.
Mr.. Lewis, on behalf of the people of
the Sixth ward, made fight against
the idea of tying up the matter without
a condition imposed compelling the
provisions of the franchise to be carried
into effect. He had several amendments
ready calculated to bring about the
desired results, but all were unavailing.
The committee OH streets rejected these
and the assembly did likewise. When
the ordinance was put on its final pass
age Mr. Lewis, in voting against thread
from manuscript his reasons for doing
so.
The committee on streets held a spe-
cial session III the afternoon, with full
membership present. The meeting was
called expressly to consider all ordi-
nance amending ordinance 1862, grant,
ing all extension of time for one year to
the Fifth Ward Transfer hallway coin
pany. A large number of interested
people were present to address the CON-
mittee, and both sides were ably repre-
scented. @
MIR. Lewis arose and diSclaimed any
desire to rush the ordinance through
the assembly as intimated by the news
papers. He had fully investigated the
matter, and would never vote for any
measure with which he was not familiar.
Representing the Sixth ward he desired.
ltke'all the people of the West side, to
see railroad built there. If the extern
sion wo uld bring the road lie would be
In favor OF granting ii. He wanted the
committee toconSder another condition,
namely, that when the road is built, the
company should he made To build its
roundhouSes and machine shops in ST..
Paul. Thereby the city would be per-
manently benefited and the company
would not receive valuable franchise
for nothing. 8.
Mr.. Tighe. representing the South ST..
Paul Belt Railway company, so-called,
originally organized to construct road
from Newport, ACROSS the river and to
the stoekyards, said that one OF the con-
dltions of securing aid from South St.
Paui,W.,S the building of line from the
stoekyards to the Omaha bridge in orr
der to connect it with this city. If the
Fifth Nard Transfer company had a
legal prior right on the right OF way
along the levee his company cou Id hit
build its line unless there is room along
the levee fur both lines. He did not
think any advantages could be gained:
by extending the time in the manner
proposed. If the Fifth ward company,
really desires TO construct its line it
would have no difficulty i'll obtaining
the necessary privileges. 70 keep the
franchise open would simply keep an
other company out. 1t would be better
to let the present franchise expire.
Then both companies could come in i'll
competition next year. The franchise
could then be granted de novo." 1t
would be poor policy TO keep these priv
ileges open without penalty or forfeit
attached. He desired to see the priYi.
legeS left open TO such company as
could first construct the road. The
South st. Paul belt line was compelled
to build within three years from last
spring, under the ordinance of South
st. Paul granting the. financial assist
ance.
Mr.. Petseh. appearing for the Fifth
ward company, said he was willing to
waive his rights III the Fifth ward, if
the company could get the extension
granted ON the east side of the river:
They desired to build miles OF railroad
i'll the state and city.
Mr.. Van Slyke stated that the original
ordinance Was pending over nine
months before it passed, then the hard
times came OH and made it Impossible
for any company TO secure funds to
work with.
A. NJ Lawton, on behalf of the Sixth
ward people, said he desire1 no exclu-
sive franchise granted TO any company
A survey had been made along the ell.
tire levee for the building of road, and
the stakes are still in the ground. HI
was ready to aid in the construction Of
any line. "The people are tired Of
promises, and want assurances that
road will be built before a franchise i.
tied up and given away by the city,"
Mr.. Van Slyke said that the same OBJ
jections were coming up again. He hat
heard them for nine months and III
lieved that someone WAS waiting fo
something to turn up.
MIR. Johnson said all the committee
had 10 consider was whether there arr
proper reasons for the delay, and if til,
Committee should grant the extension
G. Ii. Meyer said that the propeft,
owners feel that 1t is unjust to tie al
the matter 10 the exclusion of all ollie
companies. The people had waited ty
six years and nothing had come of it,
Mr.. johnson Can you show this com
mittee that any other company is reau
to come in? Is there any one making
better offer than this? /,
Mr.. Tighe-AIy one would be glad {
receiye SO valuable a gift, being ex
elusive, If the time is to be extended
there should be condition impose
that the work will be done.
Mr.. Crosby, representing the Yves
Side Manufacturers association, sal
the giving away of valuable strip q
| land would affect them seriously. Tn
| surveys thus far made would cut in tw
the property set apart for manufactul
ing enterprises. The West Siders d
not want road down the river if IL
| intended to be outside of Water street
Mr.. Robb moved that an extension b
| granted the Fifth Ward Transfer con
pany for one year. Mr.. Lewis Gale
| for his amendment to the ordinanc,
Mr.. Van Slyke said he could not Sc
why the amendment should be tackle