The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-05
TO TAKE DECISIVE ACTION.
COUNCIL TIRED OF WAITING on
THE PLANT PEOPLE.

Although an Agreement on street
Opening Was Reached Weeks Ago,
IL Has Not Yet Been Signed by the
Representatives of the Railway
COmpany-UnIess Something il
Done by the Next Meeting of COun-
ell steps VIII he Taken for the
Condemnation OF the Property.
The withdrawal OF the case Of the Sa-
vannah. Florida and Western railway
versus the mayor and aldermen Of the
city Of Savannah in the superior court
this week calls attention to the fact that
the matter Of opening the streets across
the Savannah. Florida and Western rail-
way is still unsettled.
Judging from indications, the matter
is as far from a settlement as ever. al
though an understanding was reached
which the representatives, Of the railway
stated was satisfactory to them. The
withdrawal OF the case had no signii-
canoe. as the supreme court had decided
that the city's charter did not grant
it the power to make such condemna-
lions for purposes of street opening at the
time the case was brought.
The charter was amended at the last
session Of the legislature, and the city
now has the power TO condemn land for
such purposes. This power has not been
exercised, however, on account of the
negotiations which have been in progress
for about year between a special COM
mittee OF the city council and the repre-
SentatiVes of the railway, which 1t was
hoped would result in a satisfactory ar
rangement to both parties without the
necessity of resOrting TO the courts.
The negotiations have been prolonged
for many months, but it was announced
several weeks ago that an agreement
had been reached which was satisfactory
to both parties. Since that time nothing
further has been accomplished.
Mayor Myers, when seen about the mat
ter, said that the council is considering
the advisability of taking steps to secure
some immediate action by the railway
company. Unless the representatives of
the railway Will confirm the agreement
reached some time ago, he said, the coun-
ell viii be forced to proceed under the
law and condemn the property needed for
opening the streets across the company S
right of way. The representatives of the
Savannah, Florida and Western railway
had been very dilatory about the matter
throughout, he said. and the city could
afford to wait no longer.
Members of the board who were spoken
to about the matter said that it had
been discussed at a recent meeting of
the committee of the whole, and the mat
ter will very probably be taken up at
the next meeting of council.
Alderman Hudson, chairman Of the
street opening committee, spent some time
yesterday afternoon with Mr. Waring
Russell inspecting the property owned by
Mr.. Russell at the western end of Hunt
ingdon street, which the city will prob
ably purchase for the purpose of opening
Huntington street to Roberts street
About six lots intervene between Roberts
street and the end of Huntington street,
which 1t will be necessary to purchase in
whole or in part. Alderman Hudson has
about completed a deal with MIR. Russell
for the property necessary to open the
street for 81, 500. and the matter will prob
ably be brought up at the next meeting
of council. Alderman Hudson explained tC
a Morning News reporter that 1t was de-
sired to open Huntingdon to Roberts in
order to make that section of the city
more accessible to the fire department
and also for the purpose of laying a water
main along Illumination TO ROherts street