Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-03-01
AN EXPERT OPINION
On Electric Railroad Franchises.

Springfield, Mass, superintendent Of
Streets.
Editor of The Phoenir:-It is not my
nurpose to discuss the advantages of an
electric railroad in Brattleboro; that has
already been done in your columns and on
the street: but do wish to call the atten-
ton of the taxpayers to one or two facts
concerning the enterprise. ] do not think
it is generally understood in our town how
much importance which should de placed
upon the conditions of a franchise, granted
to an electric railroad company.
know of no better way to present the
case TO you than by letter, which ! have
lust received from w. l.. Dickinson, sup
erintendent of the streets of Springfield,
Mass, upon this very subject. Mr.. Dick
inson is also the president of the Massa-
chusetts Highway association. You will
notice that his views are very broad; at
the same time they show that special
regard should be paid to the public outside
of the interests Of the railroad company.
l would ask you to print the letter, which
is as follows:
spR1SeF1ELD, MASS, Feb. q, 1895
L. r. Adams Esq,
Dear Sir.-win you kindly allow me to call az
teution to a few points which the public Of some
cities and towns, in their enthusiasm to secure a
street railway, sometimes lose sight Of. The fact
is they do not realize until II is too late that their
roadways were originally built and intended for
the use Of man and beast: that thousands Of dol.
lars have been expended In putting these road
ways in proper condition for travel. Now IL the
people will stop to consider the question for a
minute. they viii have TO acknowledge that the
roadways ave not any too wide or too good for
fray fhaw afa rrif laip
encountered with railroad tracks These road
ways belong to the people: they have paid roundly
for grading and hardening them and do they now
propose 10 grant franchise to the railroad COM
pany (which would not ask for il unless it e9-
pected to secure a revenue from it, without plac-
ing proper conditions in the franchise to carefully
guard the interests Of the public!
With the Introduction Of electricity as a motive
power, the mileage Of street tracks is rapidly
increasing, and they win soon have our main
arteries filled with electric railways; and If tie
people are not careful, they viii find that a few
shrewd n en- have secured nights in their streets
which are beyond recall. whys Simply because
proper conditions and obligations were not placed
in the franchise when granted But fortunately
for most cities and towns these different points
are being agitated and investigated with the
result that the lines are tightly drawn, and the
public is protected with suitable conditions and
restrictions when the franchise is granted by
way Of illustration, the city Of Toronto Ontario.
controls the street railways even to the pay that
the employees receive; also the number OF TRIMS
per day; the fare-in fact, everything in detail.
Tie tracks are laid at the expense Of the railway
company, as the city directs and the city receives
revenue of $500 per mile and s per cent of the
gross receipts. The city of Philadelphia reauir.s
the street railway to pave the streets and keep
them in repair from curb to curb Worcester. in
the franchise recently granted. requires the com
pany TO pave from curb TO curb, and maintain
them under the direction Of the superintendent
OF streets.
Inc Following are ordinary conditions which
are generally accepted now by railway com
panies: Any change Of grade shall be made at
the expense OF the company, and conform to the
ne" lines and grade as furnished by the city
engineer; all bridges to be put in safe condition
az tue expense OF the company, and pay ope-half
the cost OF maintenance of an bridges used NV
the company; the form Of rail to be used and he
method OF laying. The paving of the tracks be-
tween tne rails, and eighteen inches outside the
ran should also be prescribed. Suitable p,les
SHOULD De ased, iron TO be preferred; the wiring
etc'' should be done to the satisfaction Of an Az
pert electrician employed by the town. The com.
pAhy 10 save the town harmless from any damage
Uua' may arise during the progress Of the worl,
oHso any claim for damages made by the owners
Vi Aoulting property caused by the change ~
grade or widening the roadway.
Inc Town should reserve the right to order the
.'acAS removed at any time, the roadway should
80 ~ aueu ana hardened under the direction
ana 10 the satisfaction of the pron.,r su,l,o;,ias
In charge Of the streets; the snow ana o. ., 70
Loved or kept in a safe condition: becor,,an,.
70 Day certain per cent Of the cost Of vra,a-,Do
vuS s'reeIs IN which their tracks are laid. tbs A.
uepar'hent TO have the right to cut the wins A.
any time during the progress of a fire AZ
Respectfully yours,
W. L. DICKINSON
S'tpt Streets. Springfield.
1ou VIII observe by this letter soma
.nlhg OF the Importance which cities ana
o2w w, Is aCtach to the granting of frapcbisa
anu Its conditions to railroad comnanv
s anu would ask that your readers cars'
tSliy study II. l speak of this phase of
,,i question specially,as understand that
cue cue. electric road is TO be made an issne in
o'ls H s'. Town meeting; that the promoters
boor iiie Gu OF the road propose to elect a
and N W seiec1men, whose first interest
pany. 'i'e raliroad com
would like to ask the taxnavors ,s a,
are ready, or think it a wise policy % tney
Tue management of our town aff,irs o o.ln
" the management of the raiIroad 80
p"ny OF any other corporation I, soo.-
W me that 1t would be very sad m,stoIln
=, l VIII not question that soopar o. -
.ne road viii be built; but / believe i 1he,
in3 should keep our town affairs an,Ii
of all corporations 90 10y
government is concerned % Iar as
-, assume that even if the ronta TO- a.
Eau os Is granted by the railroad comraia.,o ole
conS Sne granting of the franchise AMI ~
I ondn thereto viii still remain IN the
hoa.S oi the selectmen. II we bare
'n~ OF selectmen whose first intord.s a
.IousnS are for the railroad No anu
T TS Pee' weak conditions of tbo must
frst interos, a :. BOARD of selectmen. whose
Dnblic tLn. Is Tor the whole town and the
mai t5o Cnel we may reasonably exnact
yrantad , UG;unIltlons of the franchise H.
an the ,a VII De OF such Character that
anv inoaN Apayers will be protected froae
taxation. Vi expense of
Il; ~ is well established fact ,h..
arc o az cunt OF increased expense Ger
nu " hacadamized HIGHWAYS is - - ehe
~ reason OF a railroad traoi1 injured
NJ tne centre of the street ''lg
,.. mI' H. ID. Carter, superintendo
Z i Pen OF Boston, has we'll en- Oh the
,., sSi.road committees. as o" mat
1r,gnt, intelligent class. bnt t tS' are
-, lIIS' aiWsys bear in mind tbat .L pubic
'niy one thing in mind ana maj they have
abroad scheme ITSELF" u mat is the
he road 'ant eaking for or a0a,ss.
@ the fact tSaftl ish to call your attention