The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-19
SEATTLE MONDAY, APRIL II.
THE RAILROAD FRANCHISE.

There sesnis TO be no difference OF opln-
lon In the city council upon the general
principles underlying the proposed rail-
road franchise. II Is agreed that the most
liberal action should be taken to insure
the building OF the -four mill by aecor j.
ing railroad facilities. and the MEM
beers arc only restrained by the fear that
they may je,pardlzo interests TO follow
BY failure TO impose some restrictions
upon the railroads.
Tho great danger Is that an excess Of
caution may defeat the prime object. To
make the tide lands valuable for factories
and mills there must be arrangements
made for the railroads TO reach them
easily. II the council could see its way to
according three tracks the probability is
the trouble would soon end. because Meth
er of the principal roads would care TO
leave to the other the monopoly of the bus
mess IL Is true that the Northern Pa
cifio desires to include In the franchise the
riRht-of-way TO the southern city limits.
but that Is a separate matter and can
be left until the whole scheme OF the tide
land plating Is taken into consideration.
For the time. however. II would be wise
TO grant franchise to whichever road Is
willing TO construct It's line. leaving space
for another should IL at later day also
desire To construct tracks. SO long as
one line Is assured. the space for the 9TH
ers could be left open. 1t Is not necessary
that each should accept the franchise and
build railroad, II one OF them viii do
II. IL there Is business enough for the
others they will be eager TO take advan-
tags OF IL. The time OF the franchise
might be so adjusted that II should be
contemporary with the respective fran
chiaes now held by the railroads.
IL ia not good policy to permit ono road
to stand In the way OF the granting Of the
franchise TO another road willing 10 take
reasonable chances as TO the future. The
granting of a franchise to enc. under such
terms that another can later be accorded
should It be asked. viii be the best means
TO make II advantageous 20 competing
roads TO come In on equitable terms when
n is 20 their interest TO do so.
II may become necessary for the city 20
build tracks II the railroads prove contu-
naeious. bat that Is a serious step 20 take
piecemeal. and every effort 10 induce the
railroads 90 do 1t themselves should first
be exhausted. A short road would prove
rather an expensive undertaking and In
voiye the city In perpetual complications.
The restrictions provided in the charter
upon franchises are sufficient for all prac-
teal purposes. and tho future need not be
discounted by imposing terms which might
never have 20 be imposed bat would be a
standing menace TO the roads. which
would naturally hesitate 10 undertake
costly construction with the fear before
them OF arbitrary changes
The railroads must. however. be willing
60 refrain from asking too much. Il is TO
their Interest not to compel the city 20
build the road. The greater freedom they
have 10 transact their business within Ger
tain general regulations. the better FOR
them. The city does net want 20 build the
road. but & does want the business which
the railroads. together with manufactur-
ms n.-.ustrics. viii yield Il,
Sc urseut is the demand ths; the Touring
mil shalt be encouraged that public seau-
ment Will very gratefully remember any
road aiding Il. and Will. a. surely store up
animosity against any railroad seemlag e
th@art its establishment.