The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-19
ToRoNTo's STREET RAILWAYS.
How the Canadian City Solved the
transportation Problem.

Chicago Record.
The method of dealing with street-railway
problems in Toronto is entirely different
from that followed in Chicago The funda-
mental difference is that in Toronto the mu-
nicipaltty dictates the terms on which fran
chtses shall be granted, while in Chicago
the Street-railway corporations control the
mIunicpality, and do the bargaining for
In 1891 the franchise for the operation Of
the street railway of Toronto expired Just
as the most important franchise grants In
Chicago will expire in 1903. The street.
railway corporations of Chicago went to the
Legislature Of Illinois six years before the
time for the expiration of franchises and
secured from that body authority to apply
to the City Council at once for renewal of
franchises under conditions that could not
out operate IaNorab!y to the companies and
unfaVOrably to the interests Of the munich
pality. The Provincial Parliament of Onta-
rio, however. shortly before the time for
the expiration of the franchise in Toronto
passed a law authorizing the city 10 buy
the street-railWay plant at an appraised
solute control of the plant the city adver-
Used for bids from any persons who might
desire to take the system and operate IL.
Certain conditions We're land down with
which every bidder must comply. He must
agree to pay for the plant the price at
which it had been taken by the citv Tho
purchaser must not float bonds for a longer
period than the life of the franchise which
was thirty years, and must satisfy the pub
lie authorities that provision was made for
meeting obligations at maturity. The city
was TO have the right to take back the
plant at an appraised valuation at the ex-
piration Of the franchise. The successful
bidder must agree o extend tracks and
street-car service upon the recommendation
of the city engineer, approved by a two
thirds vote of the City Coun-
ell. The right to operate all such extern
sions ceases with the expiration Of the
main franchise All such lines must be con
structed in a manner satisfactory to the
city engineer. The speed and service was TO
be subject to the determination of the city
engineer, as approved by the Council Cars
were TO be run at such intervals as the en-
gneer and Council might specify. Tickets
must be sold al the rate of six for % cents
or twenty-five for 81. Another class Of
tickets must be sold at the rate of eight
for % cents. good before S o'clock in the
morning and between and G:30 o'clock i'm
the evening. School children must be sold
tickets at the rate of ten for % cents good
between a. IN. and p. m. and not on
Saturdays. Policemen and firemen in uni
form must be carried tree. There was a
provision that cars must be OF approved
design for service and comfort and must
not be overcrowded. Persons employed by
the company must not be compelled to
work more than ten hours a day or more
than sixty hours week, and no adult per
son should be paid less than Il cents an
hour. The successful bidder must agree TO
pay the city $500 year per mile of single
track, or $500 per mile OF double track,