The herald., 1897-05-05
PERTURBED
PASADENA
A Struggle Over Electric
Railway Franchises
THE TERMINAL LPETITION
They Wish to Operate All Elec'
tric Line
A BID FOR PROTECTION
By THE PASADENA & LOS AN
GELES COMPANY
a BID FOR PROTECTION
ny THE PASADENA & Los AN
GELES COMPANY
They Will Light the City Free and
Complete Their Local Franchises.
The Anti-Monopoly Senti-
ment Is Very Strong

ment Is Very Strong
It IL A well known fact that the rail-
way as an institution has proved OF
great advantage, not only to the me-
,rorolis with which it connects, but also
to the suburban city and the country
that lies between the two points. More
especially is this true in the case OF
electric roads, which have local lines
or feeders at either point connected with
the main system, by means of which
the passenger may reach his home or
place of business by transfer. without
paying extra fare. The inter-urban
railway systems reaching out from Los
Angeles, although established but q
short time. furnish a good local illus
tration Of the benefits to be derived,
which will increase with the popula-
ton OF city and country.
The Pasadena and Los Angeles elec-
trio railway was thought by many to
be bold business enterprise--in fact.
an experiment-but the result has
bui.ded wisely and well. So well, in
fact, that lines to other points have
followed, and still others are projected
or in process of formation. II all parts
Of the country the electric suburban
railways are proving more popular with
the people and corporations than the
steam roads, and this application can
be made to Los Angeles and Pasadena.
For with three steam roads between the
two cities and equal rates OF fare. the
electric line continues to do good tusi-
ness.
The Terminal Railway company,
which may also be called an inter-ur-
ban line. has finally decided that to
successfully compete for suburban pas
senger traffic it is necessary to electrize
its road. The first step taken by them.
about two months ago, was to ask the
city of Pasadena for a franchise to
operate electric cars upon the streets
Of that city. Their application was ac-
companied by petition bearing about
1900 names, or 95 per cent of the voting
population of Pasadena, the general
idea at that time being that competi-
tive electric road would reduce the rates
of fare and benefit the people general
ly. On the other hand. the supporters
of the Pasadena electric railway in that
city including several local capitalists
who were interested in the road, felt
that a competitive line would cripple
them in measure, so they approached
the Pasadena city council with a re-
quest for protection to their railway in
teres'ts and franchises in that city by
not admitting competitive road. In
return for this favor the company pro-
posed to light the city free Of charge.
The council, in order to fully consid-
er both propositions and comply with
the new state law as to franchises,
which do not become operative until
May 11th, deferred action until May
18th as to the Terminal petition, while
the proposition of the electric company
does not seem yet 20 have been present
ed in definite terms at regular meet
ing.
Meantime there is great lAcal strug-
gle taking place at Pasadena over the
electric railway lNoblem, and a care
full cnvass of interested parties has
been made, with a view to a full and
fair understanding of the situation.
IApaOEAN EOSl1lON
The result of personal investigation in
Pasadena shows that a majority of the
people Of that city favor granting a
franchise admitting the Terminal COM
pany, although many local capitalists
favor the exclusive proposition of the
present electric road. An expression was
obtained from several citizens prominent
in public affairs. The statement of F.
r. Boynton, secretary of the board of
trade, represents consensus of opinion
among those favorable to competition.
Mr. Boynton said:
about six weeks ago petition signed
by over 1900 business men and citizens
of Pasadena out of q voting population
OF POSI- was presented to the city council
requesting that an electric railway
franchise be granted the Terminal Rail-
way company to operate cars upon the
streets OF Pasadena. This means that 80
per cent of the people of this city fa-
vored competition. Those who did not
favor the Terminal were few local
capitalists and their friends who had
personal interest in the present electric
road. During the time this struggle has
been going on. l have not heard of FIVE
persons who signed the petitio-.chang-
irg their minds. Whether the council
will act upon the wishes of majority
of the people or not remains TO be seen
am not antagonistic to the Pasadena
company and am in favor OF railway
competition as means of better public
service and lower rates. We used to
pay the Santa Fe 65 cents for the round
trip to Los Angeles. The Terminal came
In and reduced it to 30 cents. Then the
electric road brought the rate down to
25 cents. Another electric road would
still further reduce the rate and, az a
proposition for the people, favor it, AS
to the proposition of the Electric COM
pany to light the city free of cost, do
not believe it will be permanent. In
fact, learn that in the opinion of Judge
York. Ex-Governor Sheldon, C. ]. Will
lett and other legal gentlemen, the city
cannot make contract of the nature
specified that will be binding against
the electric company. The Daily Star and