The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-08-17
THE sTREET-cAR PROPOSITIONS.

ment of differences between the city and
the street-car company that are being
submitted by the city authorities and
the representatives of the company, there
is danger of the main issues being lost
sight Of. The Journal has no desire to
appear to be debating terms. 1t be-
lieves that, purely and strictly as a
matter of business. it is extremely de-
sirable from the citys standpoint that
the matter be settled now instead of six
years hence, or later. But the Journal
believes that the basis for an agreement
outlined In it's first editorial expression
on the subject has not been improved
upon by any proposition presented by
either Of the parties to the discussion
since. 1t is, of course, to be desired
that the lowest fares possible be OBJ
tanned. but low fares are not the only
benefits to be secured, and if too much
else is TO be surrendered for the sake of
the difference between an eight-for-a-
quarter and a six-for-a-quarter rate,
the Journal prefers the four-cent fare.
The points to be insisted upon are, first
the lowest rate of fare attainable with
the preservation of the transfer privi-
lege; second, the surrender of all claims
to perpetual franchise; third, the care
for such suburban traffic as may come
to the city later; fourth, the payment of
a percentage of receipts to the city;
fifth, the paving and care of the COM
pany's portion of the streets; sixth, the
requirement by the city of Fairview
Park 1t is preferable that the COM
pany do it's proper proportion of the
paving, granting six tickets for a quar-
ter, than that it should not pay any
thing for paving and give eight tickets
for quarter. The Journal does not
believe that the company can be required
to pay for street Improvements already
paid for by property-owners. 1t may
seem hard to those most directly inter-
ested, but the company was under no
legal obligation to do this paving when
it was done, and contracts are not made
retroactive. Where streets are unim-
proved on the company's right of way,
but improved on the city's part, the
company should be required to put its
part of the street in like condition with
the rest of 1T within a reasonable time.
1t should pay to the city not less than
two per cent. of it's gross receipts, for
say six years. after that five per cent,
seven per cent. on the excess over 81, 20O,-
600. and ten per cent. on the excess over
81, 500 900. This done, the Journal be-
lieves that the company should sell six
tickets for a quarter. carrying with them
the privilege of transfer at any and all
hours.
There is no apparent foundation for
the talk of Doodle and jobbery. No sane
man expects the City Railway Com
pany to absolutely and permanently re-
tire from the field without having it's
equities respected and compensated.
1t has equities, and there is no legiti-
mate reason in the world why it should
not dispose of them if it is deemed to
be for the best interests OF the city to
have the whole street-railroad question
settled now, and the Journal is free to
say that it regards it as very decidedly
to the citys advantage to have it settled
at the earliest possible moment. Any ad-
justment between the Citizens company
and the City company is plain matter
of private business which has not and
will not cost the tcity or any citizen a
penny. The whole question is, shall this
matter be settled now to the mutual ad-
vantage of all parties concerned, or
shall it be permitted to draf; along until
in the fullness of time he courts may
have settled it, when the children of to-
day shall have died of old age? On this
question the Journal has but one opin-
ion, which is, that if the company is in
earnest about the matter AMI wishes to
settle with the city on substantially the
terms outlined above, it is in favor OF
it's having q new franchise, running not
to exceed thirty years from date. 1t
believes these terms to be such as the
company can accept and make large re-
turns, while at the same time the city
will be greatly profited by them 1t is
unalterably opposed to the city granting
more or accepting less. If the company
is in earnest it can formulate PROPOSE
ton without delay, and if it is not it
should retire its representatives and end
the agitation.