The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-06
COUNCIL WILL INVESTIGATE.
THE QUESTION OF OPENING RIVER
STREET.

Arguments Made Before the Com
mittee of the Whole by the Rail-
roads and Freight bureau Repre-
sentatives-The Railroads willing
to Meet the City Half Way in the
Matter, and Do Anything That Is
Fair and EquitabIe-The Matter Of
Opening the street Referred 90
the Committee on Opening streets
for Investigation and Report.
The committee Of the whole Of the city
council held a Lengthy meeting yesterday
afternoon for the purpose Of hearing argu-
ments and considering the questions that
have been brought up in connection with
the River street. and st. Julian street rail-
road tracks.
The result Of the meeting after hearing
arguments was that the matter OF opening
River street across East Bread street and
around 20 81. Julian street was referred
70 the committee on opening streets with
directions 10 look into the matter ard see
what cost there would be connected with
il, and what there IS to be considered as
10 the feasibility OF the plan.
This is practically the first question that
has TO be considered in connection with
the River street track. Several arguments
in connection with the questions concern
ing the track were submitted. Last week
Commissioner D. c.. Purse of the freight
bureau submitted an argument in which
IL was claimed the River street track of
the Central of Georgia Railway Company
was there Illegally. Capt H. c. Cunning
ham, attorney for the Central answered
that argument yesterday. He went
through with all the ordinances and acts
on the subject. ana in connection with the
road, and deduced the conclusion that the
road was there legally and that the city
could not interfere with it.
President II. NJ Conner of the Central
spoke Of the matter in general terms He
asserted that the Central railroad and
himself personally, and as president of
the road, were willing to do everything
in their power to advance the business
and commercial interests of Savannah
PRESIDENT Conner said the Central would
Always be ready to meet the city in
spirit OF fairness and equity, and 10 co
Whatever was right in the matter.
MT. W. l.. Clay OF the firm of Erwin,
duBignon q Chisholm was present in be-
ha1 OF the savannah, Florida and West
ern railway. He made a brief argument,
claiming that the St. Julian street track
was there legally. As far as the bust
ness portion of the proposition was con-
cerneQs ne said he could not make any
promises as such matter were left alto
gether with the president or the acting
president, neither of whom are IN the
city. He said he presumed, however,
that they would be willing TO meet the
city on any just ana equitable footing.
Commissioner ID. @. Purse and Col. W.
W. Gordon Of the freight bureau botn
made statements with regard TO the mat
ter. Capt. Purse insisted that the city
should take charge of opening the street
ana not the railroads, as II was proper
the city should have control of it, Col
Gordon spoke of the advantages to the
business interests of the city that would
come through the opening of River strees
and through the extension Of the railroad
tracks, and a connection of the Central
with the Savannah, Florida and Western
Mayor Myers asked Col. Gordon whether
the increase Of traffic on the track which
would follow this opening of the street
would interfere with or shut out the traf-
hc by vehicles to and from the wharves
This he stated was a point which ought
to be considered. Col Gordon was of The
opinion that it would interfere somewhat
with this traffic, but he claimed the bene-
fit TO the city and it's business interests
would be much greater. 1t Is possible
since the harbor lines have been changed
to build the Wharves further out into the
river and by this means the street might
be Widened considerably in certain places
At the conclusion of the arguments the
representatives of the railroads and or
the freight bureau retired and the COM
mittee retired and the committee of the
whole held a brief meeting. 1t was de-
cided to refer the whole matter to the
committee on opening streets. This COM
mittee will investigate as to what it
would cost the city to open River street
and also as to the feasibility of opening
the street and of widening it in certain
places.
The meeting was a very harmonious and
pleasant one for all interested. The uues-
ton as to the charges on the track, ana
other matters in connection with II will
come up after the matter of opening the
street and extending the track has been
disposed of. President Conner stated thar
he would be ready to confer with council
at any time with regard to extending the
track through to the Savannah Florida
and Western after the street is opened.