The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-11
THE COMPANY POINT
How Two Lengths Of Rails Make a Rail-
road.
ONLY WANTED TWO Franchises
Last Weeks Council Was in a Bad
Humor, So the Traction Company
Gets One Franchise or Nothing.
They Take the Franchise - The
Story Reveals Pretty Plot and the
Company's Proverbial Modesty.

Mayor Connell has recalled his let
ter of about two months ago revoking
the Scranton Traction company's fran
chiss to build new lines of railroad on
the South Side. His action is another
chapter in the select councils inde6n-
lite postponement last week Of an ordi-
nance granting q franchise to the Val.
ley Passenger railway company to
build and operate trolley line on the
South Side. This ordinance involved
the same territory but different streets
from that which was revoked by the
mayor who now recalls the action.
On Jan. 25 the Scranton Passenger
Railway company, leased by the Trso.
tion company, obtained a franchise for
extending it's lines on the South Side.
A clauss required that work should be
begun within three months. About
two months ago Mayor Connell was in.
formed that the company had not con-
formed to the commencement clause
and his letter revoking the franchise
was the result.
No effort was made by the Traction
company to review it until the select
council meeting Of Thursday night
Mr.. Manley then introduced measure
granting the Valley Passenger Railway
company, also leased by the Traction
company, the privilege of building
new lines on various South Side streets
in the same territory involved by the
mayors letter Of revokement. Several
speeches not at all complimentary to
the company were delivered and action
npou the matter was indefinitely post
poned. 1t has since developed that the
Traction company has no particular
reason for desiring the passage Of the
second ordinance,
DEL1cAcY OF THE COMPANY.
The whole affair. though rather in
trlcately interviewer, reveals the his
toric delieacy Of the company toward
asking favor until a first resort has
failed. In this case the first resort
might be construed as an unsuccessful
attempt to whip the devil around the
stump.
While waiting for the passage Of the
measure Of last week, the Traction
company were secure in the knowledge
shSe iso skaChs, IL uut lOr u low EOub,
had been laid in Hemlock street in ac-
cordance with the time clause in the
January franchise. The company
convinced the mayor that such
was Ithe case and his recall
OF the revoking letter is the result. In
Hemlock street two lengths OF rails set
upon ties and spiked were laid within
three months after securing the fran =
chise. City Solicitor Torrey advised
the mayor that this fact was sufficient
to subsiantiate the company's claims.
The possibilities of the affair might
in the future have been more interest.
ing than its palmer recital now. 1.-THE
company had secured the recent ordin-
ance and had laid two lengths Of rails
it would have owned two valuable
franchises.
Yesterday a permit was issued by
Street Commissioner Kirst permitting
the company to begin its construction
work on the new lines. The company
also secured permit to repair its
Green Ridge Suburban and Dunmore
lines along Spruce street, between
Wyoming and Adams Avenues, and
along Adams avenue to Gibson street.