Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-06-03

panleS- Several Amendments to
Wheeling s. Elm Grove Ordi-
nance Were Adopted.
The Council Committee on Ordi-
nances last night decided to recon-
mend 10 Council the adoption of the
Wheeling & Elm Grove Railway ordi-
nance with several amendments at
tached.
The meeting was held in the cham
Der of the First Branch. There were
pr, sent Messrs. Hazlett, Weisgerber,
Fair, Bachman, List, Watson, Baird
and Williams Mr.. Weisgerber moved
to 90 into executive session, which pre-
vailed. Then there was a desultory
talk, which ended when the committee
adopted a motion to hear ten minute
speeches from representatives of diff
ferent applicants for franchises, in
spite of the protest of Mr. Erskine that
the time was insufficient.
Mr. Erskine first took the floor, and
opened his remarks by replying to the
objections to the Wheeling company
on the ground that it is monopoly.
He said the lines of the company were
being operated for the benefit of the
public and the stockholders as well.
He endeayored to show that the sys-
tenn of the company is the best, being
operated by loops He argued that
the proposition of the Suburban Com
pany is impracticable The w. & E.
G. Company also desired to cross the
Wheeling Companys tracks at Main
and Market streets. exposing the pub
lie to great danger at both points, par
ticularly Main street. in the event that
the company is successful The COM
pany which he CErskine) represented
makes a very fair proposition. he con-
tinued. and one which he wanted the
committee and the public to read and
understand. This proposition was the
only method o. simplifying the stua-
ton. He asked what interest the city
of Wheeling has in the proposition of
the W. & f. G..and replied himself
that it would not compare with the adj
vantage which the public would reap
from the proposition Of the Wheeling
Company if accepted. The action of
committees thus far has been un-
friendly to the interests of the public.
The Wheeling Company feels that
there is threat against the successful
operation of lis lines in both other
propositions which have been made to
Council
Mr.. Sommerville took the floor in
the interest of the Suburban Company.
He said his company could not be
Justly charged with being a monopo-
". 1t was. in a sense, a new enter
prise. The view taken by his company
was that there are two railway COM
panies now enjoying valuable fran
chises. and inasmuch as the Suburban
enterprise is fathered by home people
it is entitled to some consideration.
The statement that the Suburban line
would not be profitable he dismissed
as a poor argument. He was unable
To say whether a line to North Wheel
ing would be profitable, but the com
pany was willing TO take its chances,
II was asking for nothing which
would conflict with any legitimate
rights. but was decidedly hostile to
any disposition to shut it out. lie
was authorized by the President of the
company to say that they, in good
faith wanted a franchise % build and
operate a railway. and the money Will
he forthcoming. The Suburban is not
in the field for the purpose OF annoy
inv ANYBODY. or of selling out to any
body. but is willing to accept any rea-
sonable proposition which viii enable
it to operate its road. Personally he
thought the joint occupancy was
happy solution of the question and IN
this he thought he voiced the senu-
ments of the company The Suburban
Company asks the privilege of eagag-
ING in legitimate competition. In any
possible view of it it will benefit the
public.If it results in better or cheap
er service the public Will be benefited
Mr.. Geo. B. Caldwell took the floor
and stated that the residents Of Fiji
tenth street had put in petition
against the narrow gauge. which they
opposed. He said the street railway
companies used the narrow gauge be-
cause it is the best for them. 1t gives
them monopoly of so much Of the
street as they occupy, for the reason