The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-17
Is Il q Turning Point?

IS u y IuTuuS fOtuts
The recent ruling of Judge Gunster
denying the right of the Scranton Trac-
ton company to lay double track on
Franklin avenue will. II sustained by
the higher court, as in all probability 1t
will be. mark, We trust, the turning
point In local public sentiment with
reference to trolley railroads. For a
number of months the collection of in
terests which operates under the char
ter name OF the Scranton Traction COM
pany has had all 1t asked for from this
city, and has repaid this generosity by
giving to the people of Scranton and
surrounding community one OF the
least satisfactory services TO be found
In the United States. No doubt this
discrepancy between the values of
privileges given and of facilities re-
ceived would have continued indefinite
ly-for the American people are singu-
larly long-suffering with reference to
such matters-had the management of
the Traction company not thrown dis
crerion to the winds in a high-handed
effort, under cover of the Franklin ave-
nue. double-track project, to vitalize the
wholesale and indiscriminate Scranton
and Providence charter that, IL success.
fu,. would have clothed the present
corporation with power to seize our
streets at random. without even a by
your leave"
Fortunately, this last straw broke
the camel's back. and the patient beast
has begun 10 kick. In our judgment it
ought to keep on kicking, until it gets
some approximation to justice. Here is
one of the foremost cities in America
the first city, in fact, to utilize electri-
cal power for the propulsion OF street
cars-with surrounding territory ad-
mirably adapted to the development of
a superior local transit service, and yet
1t is compelled to put up with second
or third class service, lacking in num-
Der and quality of cars, lacking in
systematic development and mainten-
ance Of roadbed and. IL the events Of a
year or more just past are any criteria.
very perceptibly lacking in broad, in
telllgent and far-sighted management:
while on every side, in communities
often smaller than our own, we are
shamed by the sight of trolley systems
palpably more efficient, and successful
lie confidence and support. This condi-
tion of affairs, however accounted for,
Is an injustice to the people Of Scran-
ton. 1t not only makes them appear
less discriminating than they really
are, but 1t also retards their growth by
crippling one Of the most effective
sources of a modern city's development.
With the proximate change in the
general management of the Scranton
Traction company let us hope an end
will come to those methods of political
intrigue and municipal jugglery which
have, for some months, been a stencil
In the nostrils of the decent citizenship
OF Scranton. There is no ineradicable
hostility on the part OF the people to
the corporation Of which we speak.
Every element of popular antagopism
that has arisen In the past year or two
has been deliberately provoked by the
company's management or by certain
OF Its officiOus subordinates. An hon
est effort 10 give to Scrantonians an
honest service, without reference to
the demands or expectations Of those
men In public position who, IL current
rumor be true, are not averse to Trac-
tdon company wine suppers and Trac-
ton company passes, not to mention
still larger inducements. would, we be-
lieve, be received by the intelligent and
conservative majority of our towns-
people as welcome innovation, and
would be duly appreciated. There rs,
we repeat, no disposition to embarrass
the company in the proper and decent
sphere Of Its mission as money
maker; no wish to discredit Its securi-
ties when those securities shall, by it's
own conscientious conduct. have been
made Of large and permanent value;
and no desire to exact impossibilities.
But we believe we voice the fair senti-
ment OF Scranton when we say that
there must be material. betterment.
morally and physically, in this COM
pany's affairs'before present opposition
will diminish or present privileges be
long continued without curtailment at
the hands Of the municipal authorities
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RAfo%u1or O,,av Il ~ Errior 1s,ol, ~