Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-02-26
GRAF TON NICKELS.
Hearing on Consolidated Railway
Petition for Franchise.
Informal Vote Was Unanimous in Favor Of
Granting Bonnie Brook Route
for Tracks.
(special Dispatch to the spy,1


onstrated forcibly tonight. The occa-
sion was the hearing on the petition Of
the Consolidated Street Railway of Wor-
cester for franchise to extend their
tracks into this town. Fully 400 men
crowded themselves into. the town hall,
and so ladies occupied seats in the gal
lery and listened to explanations of the
proposed road as made by Superintend-
ent John N. Akarman of the. Consoli-
dated road. There was no doubt but
that the people of the town want the
road, and it was demonstrated beyond
peradventure that the plan favored by
the Consolidated met the approval of
Grafton people.
The meeting was called to order by
r. 2. Huckins, and Clerk Stearns l..
Davenport Of the board of selectmen
read the petition. The petitioners were
represented by Marvin NJ Taylor of
Worcester, who detailed the legal points
and conditions of the franchise
superintendent John N. Akarman was
the next speaker, and made the plans
clear as regards the two routes, which
have already been outlined in the Spy.
He said if it was possible to secure the
land Between North Grafton depot and
his own farm, Bonnie Brook, it was pre-
ferred to build the line that way, and
not over the highway. The reason the
petition was made in the present form,
providing for two routes, was the fact
that there was no certainty that the
private way via North Grafton and
Millbury Junction could be secured. It
was his most earnest desire to cover
North Grafton station, and of course
the following of the highway would OBJ
Viate the building of branch road from
Oe.- aDF 1fyo-f 4
pot.
Regarding the question of fares, Mr..
Akarman said his idea was that 15 cents
would be the basis from Grafton centre
to the city Of Worcester, including the
privilege of the transfer system to any
part of the city on the lines which the
Consolidated operate. From Grafton
centre to North Grafton depot, cents;
frem North Grafton depot to Worcester,
with transfer privilege, 10 cents. At
present, the fare from Grafton centre to
Worcester via Grafton and Upton Rail
road tand the Boston and Albany was 80
cents, with no transfer privileges
Mr. Akarman said that the road would
be constructed and equipped in first
class shape. Cars of the closed-head
type would be furnished, and in winter
the most modern electric heating ap-
paratus would be provided
c. H. Nelson of North Grafton asked
how often the cars would run and how
early they would start. Mr.. Akarman
replied that the road would be operated
Is hours day, and in all probability, at
first, trips would be made hourly,
and in the summer season every 80 min
utes. He would warrant hourly trips at
the outset, and the running time would
be forty minutes from Grafton centre to
Worcester.
A. A. Simmons asked if the minimum
trips would be hourly, and Mr.. Akarman
replied that they would.
Henry. Campbell of North Grafton
asked if there would be special rates for
workingmen, as there were some 70 at
North Grafton who worked in Worces-
ter. He also wanted to know if eX-
press cars would be run for their ac-
commodation. Mr.. Campbell cited some
roads which made the special working
mems rate, but Mr. Akarman had never
heard of them before. Mr.. Akarman
said he was present to give facts and
make no Misrepresentation The DIFF
ference in the running time Of so-called
express cars would be so slight that but
little advantage would be gained. On a
single track road this provision would
befimpracticable.
Mr.. Simmons inquired as to how the
company proposed to cross the st,ne
bridge at North Grafton, and the one be-
tween the centre and North Grafton.
Mr. Akarman said if the town would
give the company the privilege it would
widen the bridges, put up steel guard
rails and leave the highway as wide as
at{present In crossing Harrington
marsh at North Grafton the road would
at first be constructed on piles, but sub
seauently the marsh would be filled in
and solid roadbed made
MI. Akarman continued that he de-
sized to get all of the Grafton nickels
he could this summer, and the sooner
the selectmen granted the franchise, the
sooner construction could begin He said
Incidentally that in the spring it was.
somewhat difficult to procure rails, and
he vas anxious on that point also. In,
deed, he had gone into the matter eX-
tensiyely lin anticipation of the board
of selectmen granting the franchise.
Clarence R. Pratt asked if one round
trip fare would be granted school chill
dren. On this point Mr.. Akarman had
not consulted Charles B. Pratt, and
was not prepared to make a definite
statement.
Henry Campbell asked if the fran
chise was1worth anything to the COM
pany. Mar Akarman replied that
franchise was of no value until the COM
pany to which it was granted, gave a,
value to it. Mr.. Campbell retorted that
the town would make a serious mistake
if they granted a franchise without TAX
ing into consideration the laDoring men
and the school children. He was heartily
applauded Horace Il. Straw spoke in
the same strain. as Mr.. Campbell.
Henry w. Smith spoke in behalf of
the citizens in the vicinity of Millbury
junction and along the Worcester road.
This practically ended the hearing.
A rising vote was then taken to indi-
cate whether those present favored the
granting Of the franchise, and every
one of the big crowd arose. The ques-
tion was then put for all who were not
in favor of granting franchise, to
stand up, and not a person left his
seat.
After the meeting there was an in
formal conference between the four Sc
lectmen present, A. H. Stone, treasurer
of the Consolidated Street Railroad, Su-
perintendent Akarman and Marvin M.
Taylor.
The prevailing sentiment here tonight
is, if it were possible the selectmen
would grant the first franchise asked
for at once. AS some of the private
land wanted isowned by the Scott Com
pany, this will be Impossible. The head
of the firm who owns this land, resides
in Scotland, and before word could be
received from him, the present board
would have finished their term of Of
flee.