The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-27
THE STREET-RAILROAD BILL.

General Harrison's argument before the
Senate committee against the pending
street-railroad bill was a very ingenious
and very strong presentation of that side
of the case. 1t was not such an argument
as he would make in the SHpreme Court
on the legal points in the case bearing on
the question of perpetual franchise. but
rather a plea for nonaction by the present
Legislature. based on what might be called
the equities and popular aspects of the
case and the public inconvenience likely TO
arise. from the company's point OF view,
if Senate bill No. 81 should be passed. His.
objections to the biz and his statements
relative TO the alleged unfairness or irnprac-
ticability of some of it's provisions are emit
tied to receive and doubtless will receive
respectful and candid consideration. If the
bill is defective in any of the particulars
pointed out by General Harrison it can be
amended. but it was carefully drawn and is
believed TO be as little open to serious OBJ
lection as any that could be framed to
meet the end aimed at. OF course. no bill
aiming at a legislative recognition and es-
Establishment of the city's rights in the
premises and forestalling an adverse deci-
sion of the Supreme Court, which is posi-
BILE without further legislation. could be
expected to meet with the approval Of the
Citizens Company or it's counsel. Nor is it
likely that any bill OF the kind could be
drawn whose practical enforcement would
not involve some hardship to the company
and some temporary inconvenience 10 tee
public. These, however. are small consider
atoms compared with the Importance of
settling on a permanent basis the question
whether the streets of the city belong to
the city itself or dre owned, in perpetuity.
by a corporation which has houted and de
fled it i'm a great variety of ways for many
years. and which is nov trying TO get judi
cial confirmation of it's right to continue
the process. The career of the Citizens
Company has been one of almost continual
defiance of pubic sentiment and municipal
authority. The great betterment of the
service in recent years does not form any
exception to this statement. Every better
ment of the service has been made for the
benefit and behoof of the company. and has
resulted in increasing its business and
profits At the same time IL has asserted
its practical ownership of all the streets.
has refused to pave between its tracks or
make its grades comply with city require
ments. and has defied the authority of the
city in many other ways. Senate Bill 81
seeks TO prevent this state of things from
becoming perpetual. General Harrison sug-
gests that the bin is premature. because if
the Supreme Court should render a decision
sixty or ninety days from now sustaining
the contention of the company. it would
still be competent for the next Legislature
to act. That is true. but il does not seem to
be a sufficient reason for throwing away
the present opportunity and risk!ng the
preservation of the city's rights on a last
chance. The Legislature should give the
city clear authority to hold the company
to the terms of the original contract.