Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-01-28
DEFINES HIS POSITION.


or another a certain party in town is in
dustriously circulating the report that l
am opposed in every way to allowing the
Lehigh Traction Company to extend its
road through the borough. | wish to
state that this is false. l am not oppos-
ed to the company's plans to run through
town, but do insist that they live up to
their promises as agreed to in the first
ordinance, and | will state few facts
to define the position have taken in the
matter. When the original ordinance
was drawn up it was willingly accepted,
verbally, by the company, they We're
satisfied to extend the road to the sur
rounding towns, they agreed to put in
culyerts for water courses at cross
streets, and to assume all responsibility
for any damage thai might occur
through the occupation of the streets by
their tracks. The provisions of the
agreement, then, We're regarded very
favorably by the company, and now af-
ter neglecting to officially accept the or
dinance, they come to the council and
important clauses of the agreement.
They want to occupy our principal
streets as they please, to run their cars
at whatever speed they consider would
be under control, to not extend the
road to the outside towns, and to place
culVerts under the tracks only.
Now, citizens and taxpayers, object
to granting them the right of way under
conditions so lax that the borough will
get the small end, and u very small end,
of the bargain. If the first ordinance
satisfied them, | say they should be al
lowed to accept it. The terms are very
fair, and there will be no striking out of
sections with my consent, especially the
sections they want omitted. Why should
the borough give them the use of the
streets when they will not give a chance
to get the trade of Upper Lehigh, High
land, Eckley and other towns? They
offer us nothing in return for the valu-
able franchise but they will put the
borough to the additional expense of
grading the streets, laying culyerts from
sible for damages which may follow.
Is it right or fair that the council
should do this? Why should there be
an annual drain placed on the borough
treasury to accommodate the Lchigh
Traction Company? If their requests
are granted we gain nothing, and as
councilman | consider myself the SER
want OF the taxpayers and will work for
their interests in preference to all others.
If the town has money to spare we
should use it for better purposes, name
ly, to build sewers in the lower part of
the borough, where they are absolutely
necessary; buy better location for our
! hose house, beautify the Public park
and improve the fire equipment so ii can
do service ON the Hill, which it will not
do now. These are but few of the pur-
poses we can use the borough money for,
and until they are completed Freeland
should not saddle unnecessary expense
upon itself.
If our citizens propose to give the
right of way and all privileges asked for
by this company, give them control of
the streets and assume the liability for
damages which may be incurred, and to
be responsible for the expenses that will
follow, then | will have no more to say.
But | hope some of the taxpayers will
give their views upon the matter before
the council takes definite action.
l.. WINTER