The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-12-29

Another conference between Messrs,
Walker Peterson and William Stone, OF
the Wheeling Railway Company, and
Messrs, James Riley, Stephen Hopkins,
Jacob Kaiser. A. W. Kerr and J, b.
Farnell, OF the Martins Ferry council
was held at the office OF Mr., Farnell
last night and nothing was accomplish
ed. The Martins Ferry people insisted
upon the payment Of the S2,22O, alleged
to be due for street paving, before any
thing else would be done, and this the
Wheeling people refused to do, claim
ing the debt is not Just one.
James Riley acted as chairman and
Mr., Peterson stated that the company
had secured the consent OF very large
number Of the property owners on both
Fourth and Fifth streets and is ready
and willing to extend its line from the
corner OF Fourth and Walnut streets to
Center street, and on up the Burlington
road to Sherman avenue, but that the
company did not care to cross the
Cleveland & Pittsburgh railroad track
at Center street, as originally intended,
and gave It's reasons, mainly on account
of the danger. He said they expected
to get the consent Of the property own
ers on Hanover between Fourth and
Fifth streets, but the company prefer
red the Fourth street route all the way
up. Injunctlons had been threatened
on Walnut street.
He stated that the companV would
pay In advance for its share OF the
street paving, In the extension, amount
Ing to fully $4,000; that the company
would begin work promptly on April /
and complete the line as quickly as pos
sibfe; that the school tickets would be
sold In Martins Ferry the same as IN
Wheeling, but that five cent rate 10
Wheeling is out OF the question.
Mr.. Peterson was asked by Mr.. Riley
| what the company proposed to do about
paying the debt now in the courts, ana
he answered that this is not a debt OF
the present company; It Is debt OF the
old companY. The case Is In the courts,
which are honest, and II decided
against the company 1t will be paid
Every member OF the council COM
mlttee claimed In the most emphatic
terms that the company owes this mo-
ney and It must be paid.
MIR Stone said he never knew any
thing about this alleged debt until
month or two ago; that II was the old
Sweeney debt: that 1t had never pre-
ylously been brought up before the
board of directors. He stated that At
torney Duncan says this can't be col
lected and the council cannot Dust the
railway, that this company doesn't owe
the debt.
MIR. Riley said Mr.. Wright, the mana
ger, had been told of this debt; that he
conferred with council committee and
refused point blank TO pay II, and also
to extend the line to the upper end OF
Martins Ferry, saying that he had seen
the directors and they were opposed to
this
Mr.. Farnell took the same stand.
Mr. Hlpkins poured hot shot at the
company and the mercury began 10
tumble up and down at terrific rate.
City Solicitor Francis said; THE
city council has unanimously decided
to forfeit your franchise. This debt was
the very thing that prompted council
to forfeit YOU rights. You enjoy this
wort; and should pay it. We are not
begging YOU to so TO the upper end or
town. We will see you pay this debt
before you get any more from the town.
This must be paid. We can bring pro-
ceednES to Dust you as easily as TO col
lect this debt and can do this in the
supreme court, II necessary. We VIII
proceed TO GUST you, II this Is not paid"
MIR. keyser made the statement that
the cltys money was put in the paving;
tba camnnuy has the work, IL Is "A lust
debt and he wanted to know why II
had not been paid.
Mr., Kerr said. IF the company can't
pay this debt. we should tear up the
brick aud let them put them down
again. We put them down and can take
them up"