The herald., 1896-07-31
THE FRANCHISE Stands
The Fourth Street Electric
Road Blocked
EXCITING SESSION OF The COUNCIL
Personalities Flowed Freely on
Both Sides
EX.MAYOR WORKMAN'S TALK
Violent Assault on the Traction People
by President Teed
He Declares That They Will Never Build the
Proposed Road
Attorneys Of Messrs. Brodrick and Davies
Want More Time-The Matter Re.
ferred to the Board Of
Public Works
Personalities Flowed Freely on
Both Sides
EX.MAYOR WORKMAN'S TALK
Violent Assault on the Traction People
by President iced
He Declares That They Will Never Build the
Proposed Road

There was a lively session Of the city
council yesterday morning. The whole
thing did not last long, but 1t was
speedy run from start to finish, and
when the whole matter was over 1t
took the members some minutes to real
lie just where they were at. AT the
meeting Of the council couple OF weeks
ago the city attorney was instructed TO
prepare and present an ordinance pro-
viding for the forfeiture of what is
known as the Davies mule-car franchise,
which, it was stated, was blocking the
way of a new electric franchise for Boyle
Heights, to be built by the Traction COM
many. This Davies franchise, it has al
ways been understood, was purchased
and absorbed by the Consolidated Elec-
trio company when they put in their cleo
trio system. At any rate, when the
{ electric railroad commenced operations
the little mule boxes were Withdrawn,
) and the franchise has since been sleep
ing. until it was revived when the
Fourth street project was broached
Then a half hourly service was fnstitut-
ed. This was the status of the case
when the motion instructing the attor-
ney to prepare the forfeiture ordinance
was made. This motion went through
IT, council without a dissenting VOTE
q d if it had been possible to present the
nance at that time it. too, would have
passed. But just as soon as it became
known that forfeiture proceedings were
under way, the old franchise suddenly
assumed a value which no one dreamed
attorney
been unable to prepare the ordinance in
time for the regular meeting of the coun-
ell on Monday, and it was decided that
when an adjournment was taken 1t
should be to Tuesday at 1870 o'clock
The council met at this time, but the or
dinance not being ready. an adjourn
ment was taken to Wednesday at the
same hour At this time the ordinance
was ready, but in the meantime very
strong opposition had developed. Attor-
rey Monroe appeared and asked for a
continuance, saying that Mr.. w. D. Brod-
rick had an interest in the franchise.
and he would like to have a hearing
Then the agent of Mr.. Davies. Who by
the way, is now in Europe, also appear
ed, saving that he had never heard
anything about the proposed forfeit
ure, and he wanted an opportunity 70
consult an attorney before taking any
representing the Boyle Heights people
who were advocating the forfeiture,
said that he would not oppose reason
able continuance, and the mater again
went over until 1880 o'clock yesterday.
At that hour most of the members of
the council were In their seats, as We're
the attorney. Mr. Workman, and several
spectators. The council adjourned as a
board of equalization, and almost i'm
mediately met as a council. when the
chairman announced that the first bus
mess to be taken up was the ordinance
FORGETTING the Davies franchise, which
was read.
Mr. Monroe, representing Mr.. Brod-
rick, opened the ball. He spoke very
briefly, stating that the question had
not been brought to his attention until
Wednesday, and as it was a complicated
one, involving the valuable rights of
Mr.. Brodrick's company, he wanted
more time to investigate 1t. He adj
mitted under questioning that the own
ers of the Main street line desired to
electricize it, and that they We're plan
ming to make the Davies road link
of the line and electricize that also He
claimed that the franchise had never
been forfeited and that horse car had
been run on schedule time every day
over the line.
w. A. Harris, representing Mr. Davies
followed. He, too, wanted more time
until that morning. Mr. Davies was now
In Europe for his health and it was only
common courtesy to defer action until
such time as he could be communicated
with. He did not consider the request
unreasonable
Then Mr.. Wells talked to the council.
He recited the facts of the granting of
the franchise, and outlined the position
of his clients. He said that they stood
prepared to build the road, and that
work would commence lust as soon as
the obstacles were removed and a fran
chse granted
Ex-Mayor Workman was the next
speaker. The gentleman has never posed
as an orator, but this is a matter in
which he is vitality interested, and in
which he has taken a great interest. He
outlined the plans for the building of the
new road, and explained its many ad-
vantages. 1t would open up a new Sec
ton of the city to settlement, and add
thousands of dollars to the taxable
wealth of the city, to say nothing of its
being a great public convenience. Cen
tlemen of the corncii" continued Mr.
Workman, warming up to his subject,
Il beg of you to give us chance to get
this matter into court by declaring the
Davies franchise forfeited 1t is but
right it is but justice. You know that
the Main street lire and the Los Angeles
electric and this Davies matter are all
it is now issuing $4,000 bonds to cleo
tricize it, and if you don't forfeit the
Davies franchise you block great pub
lie improvement. Why, the chief of po-
lice and the street superintendent ought
to be sent down and stop the running of
that mule car over that line. 1t is q
subterfuge and a farce. 1t is a disgrace
to any city in til q progressive age II
is done to block any competition and
you know it. Davies sold his franchise
for $4,000 and I am sorry to say he
hasn't got his money yet"
Mr.. Workman then Went on to show
that the Davies franchise had been
bought by the electric company, and
that while Mr.. Davies had not received
all of the principal on the deal. the com
pany wa paying him his interest on the
deferred payments. The deed of sale he
o. '7-~r isfinr f. escroW IN the vaults
Of the National bank Of California, sub
lect u tfal5fer on payment OF the full
purchase price
This remark brought Mr.. Monroe to