Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-02-15
MIR. SEARLE'S VIEWS.
Gives n Communication to the Press Anent
Franchises.

Gives n Communication to the Press Anent
Franchises.
G.. j. Searle, of the Rock Island
Club committee on franchises, yester-
day gave the press communication
containing his views on the question
now under public discussion. The
report is not the views of the COM
mittee, but of Mr.. Searle personally,
and he felt that as there was to be no
meeting of the club in the near future
at which he could submit his report,
he should give his opinions to the
public before final action is taken by
the council on the proposed ordi-
nance. After speaking of the rights
which the company seeks and what
it proposes to give in return, he
speaks of the losses of the former
company, tie enterprise and pub
lie spirit shown, as well as the
splendid service, equal to, if
not better, than any cities of
equal size. a company enjoying
the good will and best wishes of
practically all of our citizens, having
been considerable of public conven-
fences and comfort, it an return has
been treated fairly, yet he holds the
only course to pursue, in view of the
corrupt way in which the Allen law
was enacied, would be, notwith-
standing that this company may have
had nothing to do with its passage, is
to follow tie example Of Chicago, and
refuse to partially ratify and approve
its passage by granting any franchise
under it. He speaks of how the peo
Pile at the last election with striking
unanimity, without regard to party,
condemned the passage of the law and
decreed its repeal, and believes the
present legislature will take such ac-
tior, and that ''unless pressing ext
gency has arisen in the affairs of the
company. in our judgment, notwith-
standing the moderation of the extern
sion asked no franchise ought to be
granted under the present law. If
such an eXigency has arisen it may be
eXpedient in spite of the justifabl
prejudice against the law, 10 ignore
the manner of its passage and grant
the desired extension under it,
Mr.. Searle thinks that the company
can wait three or four months. despite
its assertion as to the necessity of re-
funding bonds and the purchase of
the Moline Central, and speaks of
published announcement of what is to
be done with the Moline Central, and
says the company has refused him an
insight into its affairs, sought in or
der to arrive at Il just conclusion rs
to the eNpcdiency of granting the
desired extension as well as the terms
thereof, but says that this data the
company does not see fit to make pub
lie. He holds that without it the city
cannot approximate the value of the
franchise sought or the terms, and
furthermore it is the absolute right of
the city to have this information. TO
grant the franchise, he holds, shuts out
competition of the future. He speaks
of the growth in population, ard says
that if it is determined that it is eX-
pedient to grant the extension asked
certain conditions that can he con-
coded by the street company should
be demanded. These, Mr.. Searle
holds, should be:
Right of the city to reduce the fare
on the Black Hawk line at the end of
10 years, if increased travel warrants.
Right of city to determine when and
where extensions shall he built.
Reduced fare to working people at
the end of ten or fifteen years.
That the street car company in its
motor power and appliances keep
pace with the improvements of street
car service adapted to cities of like
size as ours.
Mr.. Searle explained in submitting
this report that he was unable to get
it before the rest of the committee or
the club before the council would con-
slider the matter. IL is the opinion of
The ARGUS that Mr.. Searle does not
do justice to the comTany in seeking
to awaken prejudice on the strength
of the odious Allen law, as he admits
further along in his communication
the possible existence of exigencies
that will warrant the granting of the
extension irrespective of the law that
exists, a law, which, by the way. the
company has shown no disposition in
any case to take advantage of. 1t
NAV be said, further, that Mr. Searle
appears to have strained at a gDat in
this particular reference, politically.
so to speak. AS to his suggestions of
concessions by the company, they
We're mainly gone over by the council
with Mr. Lardner last evening. The
latter gentlemen seemed to be willing
to meet all reasonable requirements.
On the main provisions as to the
councils future grasp of the situation,
Mr. Lardner emphasized his position
again today, when he said: I'VE will
bind ourselves. and the council can
bind us by ordinance in any way it
sees hit, to maintain, as long as the fran
chise exists, service in this city,