The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-06-23
Danger Height of
THE ONLY WAY.

The G. o b e has contended from the
first time that the subject was men
toned that the only way of making the
Selby avenue line either safe or salts
factory to the people is to cut down
the hill. This ought to be done, and
probably would have been done in the
first place, but for what we are con-
WINGED were the mistaken ideas and
demands of certain property holders
The time has now come when it must
be done. All the other means of get
ting around this difficulty, such as the
use Of a safety device or the transfer
Of the line to Third street, are either
absolutely dangerous or, at most, I'M
satisfactory. While the change is be-
ing made it ought to be made in a way
that will meet all the requirements and
will be permanent. 1t has been ascer
tanned on unQuestionabIe authority that
the total cost of an open cutting, be-
ginning at the bottom of the hill and
terminating at such point on Selby av-
enue as to make a safe and easy grade.
together with all the necessary retain
ing walls and abutments, would not be
over $S5, 900. 1t is we'll worth this sum
and there ought to be no hesitation
about paying it.
The suggestions that have already
been made concerning the payment of
DANCES to property seem to us to be
altogether out of place We have lit
tie doubt that, in matter of such vast
Importance to the general public, the
consent Of all persons interested to
waive claims for damages could be OBJ
tanned. 1t certainly ought to be
Neither the city nor the street rail
way company should have to pay out
money for a great public Improvement
which will not inf1ict one penny's worth
OF damages on anybody. An open cut
ting like this, leaving ample room on
each side for roadway and surround
cd by handsome iron railing, is not
an injury to property. The rectifca-
ton of the Selby avenue line wou1d
not involve any loss to any property
noider, nor lessen the value of his hold
ing by dollar. This being the case
If it is understood from the first that
the completion of the work depends
upon the waving Of claims for dam
ages, We think that one difficulty will
be eliminated.
AS to the suggestion of Mr.. I,owrv
that the company should pay a part
OF the cost Of this work, leaving another
part to be assumed by the city. that
Is another idea that should be put TO
rest promptly. Upon no theory can
any portion of the expenditure reuuir
ed become, properly. burden upon the
people Of this city. 1t would have been
Just as reasonable to expect that thew
should bear part Of the cost of the
change from the old horse car lines to
the electrics. The street railway COM
pany has obtained, without cost fran
chlses of vast value from this city. It's
duty Is to build and equip transporta-
ton lines, bearing whatever OUTLAY NAV
be necessary. That any part of this
should be charged up against the civ
is absurd.
soy llIdI the SI. raul
lines are not making money. and we
have no reason to dispute his state
ment. 1t will be we'll to bear in mind
however, that, among the fixed charges
which are deducted before profits are
calculated, is included the interest on
the bonded debt. 1t would be interest
ing to know how the balance Sheet
stands without that item. We are in
formed that the street railway systems
Of these two cities are stocked and
bonded to the amount Of some $40, OOO.-
900. We have also heard it stated by
good engineering authority that the en-
tire system could be put in place, just
as it stands today, for one-fourth of
that amount. While a proper allow
ance must be made for the cost Of put
ting in new machinery in place of old,
and while many of the lines have had
to be built several times over to con-
form to changed conditions, still there
tS probably q handsome margin Of
profit represented By the capitalization