The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-20

turn. So far as he could see the street
railway company was in favor Of the
ordinance because it allowed them the
right to run cars on Third street and
Summit avenue, a right they did not
have at present.
He advised that one thing to be con-
sidered was the granting Of transfers
from and to the cable line with every
other line in the city. The ordinance
did not touch upon this point, and in
his estimation this should be consfd-
cred before it was passed, The city
also wanted depot connections, and it
would not, in his opinion, be bad idea
to have this considered before passing
the ordinance. The proper thing to do
was to have an omnibus ordinance pre-
pared, insert what the city wanted into
it in connection with the proposed
change in the cable line and route, and
then pass the ordinance This, he said
was the only way the city could get
what it wanted from the street railway
company
Arnold Katman said the only thing
be could see in the ordinance was a
proposition to allow the street car com
pany to run line to Merriam Park at
liz ACooI POSSlOIC expense 10 the CON-
pany. The question Of the damage to
private property interests did not seem
to Inquire at all. He cOntended that the
company should be required to tunnel
the hill and not be allowed to lay
tracks on Summit avenue. If the Mer-
RAM Park people wanted a line to the
suburb, they could have the Rondo
street line extended. This could be
done at small expense to the company
ana would not nT9otipa1
nscatlon Of private property, as would
the laying Of tracks on Third street
and Summit avenue
Aid. Shepard said it would cost the
street railway company $250,000 to tun-
mel Selby avenue hill. Mr.. Kalman
S SAL ne would agree to do the job for
$4,000. This was the only possible
plan, as the device on the hill was not
at all practical
AId. Kenny SAID the street car cOnlpa-
ny seemed to be anxious to have the
change made from cable to an cleo
trio line. He did not wonder at this
Tor 1t would save the company at least
$4,000 per year. The saving would
come from not having to purchase
new cables every year and the discon-
tlnuance Of the power house at Dale
street. He agreed with Aid Markham
that there should be no hurry in the
matter and a general ordinance should
be passed embodying all that the CITY
wanted before any more rights were
granted the street car company. The
report Of City Engineer Rundlett as
to the Feasibility Of the proposed change
IN the lines and route, was read Mr.
RundIettS letter was as follows:
mere is IN my opinion question as to
me pracncabi1ty OF operating oars on Third
street ana summit avenue. Experience on
| electric lines in other cities where traffic is
as great as on the cable line and grades are
! longer ana sleeper demonstrate this. 1t is
essenuaI TO get an efficient service that the
track De perfectly constructed and powerful
motors used to take the cars I'D the grade
anu aoo5uonal Brakes to control the cars
coming down. Relative to the feasibility of
oeiDy avenue as route, I am of the
| opinion that electric cars could NOT he oner
ated on the hill without mechanical device
10 assist the cars up and down the grade
There is always liability to an accident in
operating cars on steep grades either from
caareiessness or incompetency Of employees or
mecbapic H1ns OF non,acnon OF machinery or
.1a 4 apparatus As a rule, the
sleeper the grade the greater the liability if
operating under the same conditions There
can De no question that if a car or train
should get away Selby hill the accident
would be of more serious nature than
II similar occurrence should take place on
Ihlrd street and Summit avenue the erada
IN the former case being sixteen feet per
hundred, with g. curve at the foot of the
grade, and the maximum grade in the latter
case being per cent with an average grada
OF not over per cent.
After some further discussion the
1mpromptu session adjourned, it then
being after 8 o'clock, with the under
standing that the ordinance be made
| a special order at an adjourned meet
Ing Of the board to be held at 8 O'Clock
Jan. g.
The board was called to order at 9:15
o'clock and rushed through a lot of
business at a break-neck speed.
The bond Of the Northern Exchange
bank in the sum Of 500, 900 with Thos
B. Scott, Adolph G.. Gollasch. William
Ccnstans, HI. Burton Shart, and Louis
Fl. Ickler as sureties was sent to the
committee on ways and means.
| The communication fixing the paw Of
| the superintendent Of the water board
at $3.50 per month and the secretary of
| the board at $4,000 per year went to
| the committee on ways and means.
Bids for furnishing the city with
| lumber for the year weres Received and
sent to the engineer for tabulation.