Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-05-02
A BUSINESS-LIKE CARD.

Last evening the following signed
statement was received by the Register,
in reply to a card, signed a TaX-Pay-
ing Observer" in yesterday mornings
Intelligencer:-
To the Editor of tho Register.
Sir:-It appears opportune to cast a
little light on the ill-tempered and in
accurate Outburst Of "A TaX-Paying
Observer" the signature Of a cowardly
attack upon the Elm Grove Railway
Company. published in the columns of
yesterdays Intelligencer.
! am not in the habit of paying at
tentiOn to anonymous newspaper artic-
les. and I merely deviate from my GUS
tom 10 cOunteract what may cause a
wrong impression on the part of less
observing taxpayers.
l will pass over the term respect
able" in the opening sentence, which
undoubtedly implies a reflection upon
the integrity Of the stockholders of the
Wheeling and Elm Grove Railway
Company, and come to the point as to
who is entitled to the franchise Of an
electrical railway system into our sub
urbs. Should il be given TO an obscure
Company, with obscure financial back
ing, without any history az all, or
should it be given 20 the Wheeling and
Elm Grove Railway Company, which
for nearly twenty years has returned
no dividends to its stockholders what
ever, and who only for the last FIVE
years have enjoyed a dividend Of five
per cent. en- the actual capital invested?
Is it just and equitable that new
Company be given a franchise through
newly-setted suburbs. which have the
Wheeling and Elm Grove Railway
Company to thank for their existence?
Is it the fault Of the Wheeling and Elm
Grove Railway Company that in some
instances the route covered by its pro-
jecteG line is in some respects similar
10 the enc decided upon by the new
Company. while the petition Of the lat
ter Company was presented to the
City Council two weeks later than the
petition Of the former? Does not the
reverse seem more plausible? The
ordinance submitted by the Wheeling
and Elm Grove Railway Company is,
i'm some of its parts, not original, il nav
ing been TO 4 large extent, framed after
the ordinance Of the Wheeling Railway
COMPANY. it being apparent that such
an ordinance would, in a measure, be
acceptable TO Council.
The Bellaire. Bridgeport cd Martins
Ferry railroad never intended 70 build
the line petitioned for by it a few years
ago, its object being a different one,
and which it subsequently accomplish
ed and now enjoys. This is very well
known.
The Wheeling and Elm Grove Rail
way Company never applied for a fran
chise to extend its road to the State line,
nor does it hold such a franchise at the
present time.
The object Of the Wheeling and Elm
Grove Railway Company has in view
in asking for the new franchise is TO
equip its line in a more modern and sat
isfac,ory manner, TO give to the public
increased service. at lower rates Of fare,
and 10 abolish the use of steam upon
the whole Of the lire at the completion
Of the enterprise, and that the Com
pany will carry out these objects. in
good faith and in a reasonable time, if
granted the necessary authority, ! here
state that a good and sufficient bond
will be given to the City Council condi-
toned for the fulflment Of the Com
pany's promises.
Respectfully,
A. REYMANN.