The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-10

A seventeen-mile system in Wichita
will pay easily and 6 per cent on an in.
vestnfent OF $4,000 The usual calcula-
ton . that every unit of q population
rides fifty times a year. That would
make in Wichita, counting the population
at 22.DoO. in a year 100000 fares, or a
gross annual income of SS5,O 600 with
operating expenses, $4,000. deducted, S2O.-
600 net, exclusive of taxes and mainte-
nance, would be secured which is good
return for the sums which IT is proposed
to invest Il Is said that under the pres.
ent system every unit Of wIchita's popu.
.lation rides about twenty-three times a
year.
But the present condition Is no At cri-
terion. In the frat place wichita is con-
stantly growing. On account or insult
hcient service the town is overladen with
bicycles and other vehicles. People to
some extent must be educated to use
street cars again. A unit Of population
using the street car hfty-five times a
year is a small, estimate. In many east
ern towns each unit uses the street cars
100 times a year.
The Scott proposition has been submit
ted to the communities on franchises.
This committee will amend It and refer
IL back to the council. and 1t is said that
Mr.. Scott's representatives will be on
hand and will say whether or not the
franchise as amended is satisfactory: II
Il is. to both Mr.. Scott and the council.
1t will then be passed and Mr.. Scott has
sixty days in which to commence the
construction OF the line.
1t is said that the franchise Committee
will make important amendments. First
That It will not permit the town to be
dwarfed by eurtailment of lines; second
that a provision will be inserted in the
franchise that Mr. Scott secure possess
sion of the streets; and third. that 1t
shall not be optional with Mr.. Scott to
lop on lines after a year on the plea that
they do not pay.
Reason for the first amendment has al
ready been given. Wichita has 1900
people and fourteen miles OF street rail-
way is too restricted. The second amend
ment will be because the franchise might
be granted together with the lighting
contract, and Mr.. Scott might demand
mat bAAS ely SiSe~A ZIG SAASSNS @cA AAAAt' <AS
every one knows, this clearing OF the
streets by the city would mean litigation
with the Keene. New Hampshire, syndi-
cate, and that extending over several
months, as II would. Mr.. SCOTS contract
with the city would lapse through no
fault of Mr.. Scott's. because the city
would have failed to give him possession
OF the streets. The falling 10 insert this
provision In the proposition was proba-
bly, an oversight on the part Of the rep
resentatives OF Mr.. Scott. The third
amendment that pertaining to looping of
lines, willsbe made because all residence
realty for year, by the present provis-
ion would be refrigerated. No man would
buy property anywhere in the city with
the possibilities of having a street car
line Topped of within a year.
The feeling Is that the council will
grant franchise to Mr.. Scott. after II
has been amended, unless n better nrono.
sition from other sources Is forthcoming
next Monday evening.
And it is right on this point that pub
lie interest is high. for II IS regarded as
likely that next Monday there will b.. IN
addition to the proposition Of Mr.. Scott.
four others. as follows:
First-Proposltion from Clifton Baker
OF Tooeka