St. Paul daily globe., 1896-03-31
STAYS WHERE IT Is
STREET RAILWAY WILL NOT BE
ASKED TO CHANGE THE
LOOP.
THE COMMITTEE so DECIDES,
AFTER HEARING A NUMBER Or
PROPERTY OWNERS ON THE
SUBJECT.
BRIDGE FOR SUMMIT AVENUE.
One 100 Feet Wtde-Other Mat
ters of Interest.

Several important matters were considered
by the assembly committee on streets yester-
day. The first subject to receive attention
was the report Of the subcommittee appointed
to communicate with the Milwaukee railroad
officials regarding the construction Of new
bridge on Summit avenue, over the Milwaukee
tracks. At the last meeting of the committee
on streets 1t was decided that proposition
should be made to the Milwaukee company
that 1t build during the year 1SsS in place Of
the present wooden bridge, an iron or steel
bridge 100 feet wide The subcommittee for
warded the foregoing proposition to the rail-
road company and received a reply to the
| effect that the railroad company might con-
struct bridge 60 or 70 feet wide, but could
not entertain any proposition to build bridge
! 100 feet wide.
This reply determined at once the action OF
| the committee. BY a unanimous vote the
corporation attorney was instructed to draft
resolution ordering the Milwaukee railroad
company to proceed Immediately to build an
iron or steel bridge 100 feet wide. Should
the company refuse to obey the resolution OF
the council the city will take the matter into
the courts.
The resolution requesting the street railway
company to extend its loop from Robert street
to Broadway provoked considerable discus
sion on the part Of several citizens who are
vitally interested in the matter. Among those
present were Judge Flandrau, Arnold Kalman.
Robert Mannheimer, Edward Schurmeier and
NJ. d. Mum, the attorney for the street rail-
way company.
Mr.. Mum said that the railway company
was unwilling to extend the loop as requested.
as the change would cost considerable money
and entail great Inconvenience, inasmuch as
the service on all the lines had been adjusted
| so as to conform to the present loop. The
additional cost Of operating cars around
loop extending down to Broadway would, so
Mr.. Mum said. amount to about $50 day.
while there would be no increase over the
present revenue.
Arnold Kalman, who Is strongly opposed to
q change in the loop said that the resolution
requesting an extension Of the loop was not
gotten up to benefit the public. as claimed, but
to benefit few property owners on Broad
way. Mr.. Kalman admitted that he had
property that was greatly benefited by the
present loop, and that was why he would Wig
orously fight any movement to extend or
change the loop.
ST am honest in this matter" said Mr.. Kali
man. 81 am looking after my property in
terests, and am willing to confess 1t. Why
don't you gentlemen who want the loop to
extend down to Broadway admit that you are
simply trying to benefit your own property
rather than the public?"
Judge Flandrau insisted that an extension
of the loop to Broadway would benefit prop
erty on Broadway without injuring that on
Robert street. Judge Flandrau was also quite
skepticaI as to Mr.. Munn's estimate Of the ex-
pense that would attend the change.
Judge Kerr, who favors the extension. called
attention to the fact thatothe extension would
accommodates some 5000, employees in the
wholesale district, and. moreover, 1t would
bring all street cars within two blocks OF the
union depot, which was greatly to be desired.
Mr. Schurmeier spoke In favor OF the ex-
tension. dwelling, particularly upon the ad-
vantage to be gained by bringing all street
cars within two blocks Of the union depot
Aid. Ehrmanntraut declared that the ex-
tension of the loop to Broadway would benent
the whole city,, $500
Mai Espy argued against any change in the
loon. He contended that those citizens VINO
have built property on. Robert street and
vicinity on account Of the loop being located
there are entitled to protection now. This
closed the discussion.
Mr.. Robb moved that the, committee make
| an adverse report on the resolution requesting
the extension of the loop. Mr.. Reardon sec
onded the motion, and 1t prevailed by vote
| Of 3 to 2, Mr.. Strouse voting with Messrs.
Robb and Reardon, while Messrs. Arosin and
| Lewis voted in the negative, on the ground
| Of the advantage that would be gained py
bringing the cars closer to the union Depot
The resolution to vacate portion OF Sum-
| NIT avenue 1.500 feet long and 100 feet vice.
| which constitutes the slope along the Missis-
| sippi river was laid over for two weeks, anu
| IN the meantime the members Of the COM
| mittee will visit the locality. The owners OF
the abutting property at the foot Of the slope,
who also own the fee Of the avenue which
they desire to have the city vacate, were
represented by Judge Young. Judge Young
| said that the United States government pro-
| posed to build dam across the Mississippi
| in this vicinity; that 1t would condemn all
the property in question. in the event that
the matter could not be arranged by Vacating
the street. Judge Young did not consider
that the citys right Of way over the land
| desired had any money value whatever.
| Mr.. Lewis said ne did not believe in the
city's vacating its streets for a nominal con-
| sideration. He preferred to have the courts
settle the matter and relieve the council from
| all responsibility.