The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-30
WILL GET NEW CARS
J. 0. Davidson and Col. Fitch
Leave for the East
CHURCH GOES TO CHICAGO
Davidson .,WiII Try to Buy
Outright Old Lines.

J. o. Davidson, 7. G. Fitch, c. B. Wis
ner and ]. o. GODDARD. who are inter
ested in the new street car franchise
left for the east last night on bushes:
connected with the trade.
Mr. Davidson viii 90 directly to Bos
ton to purchase the present system. uht
old cars, power house, etc, in order t
get possession Of the streets. He think;
ne will be able 20 complete the purchase
and have everything ready to begin def
mite plans for the construction OF the
new lines within two or three weeks
Colonel Fitch will go to St Louis Il
get second hand cars which are TO be
put on in time for the street fair.
"Just the minutes we get a contract
for the old lines, 50 that we know we
will not be molested," said Colonel Fitch.
I'VE will bring on new cars, put this old
track in shape and make preparations to
haul the crowd that will be here at the
races and the street fair.
These people mean business. 1 be-
lieve that YOU will see an entire new
line in good running order here by next
spring. We can't get materials in less
than four months. The earliest order we
could place for cars IL we could do 1t
now would be December, and by the time
we get control of the old lines, orders
will be placed ahead Of US probably TIL
February l. We are going after the mat
ter tonight and will not stop a minute
TIL everything Is settled"
It is understood that G. B. Shaw Of the
American Trust and Saving bank Of Chi
cago. Is the principal financial hacker OF
the scheme. With him Is associated c. B.
Wisner of Pullman, Illinois. Mr.. David
son and Colonel Fitch are heavily inter
ested also, and they will be the local
managers. Mr.. Davidson and Mr.. Shaw
have the controlling interest
It Is not known just what steps will
be taken On case Mr.. Davidson cannot
close a purchase of the old system. City
Attorney Helm said at the council meet
ing Monday night that he would get pos
session OF the streets by legal procedure
II a purchase could not be made.
When Mayor Ross said. I'VE can get
men enough to throw the old junk off
the street." he was cheered. So far as
that goes II shows an inclination on the
part of the city administration to get the
old system out of the way and give Mr.
Davidson a chance. There is dispo-
sttiOn among the business men generally
to believe that the Davidson company
will go ahead and build q new road if
given a show. City Attorney Helm will
take no legal steps to get the old COM
pany on the streets until II IS determined
whether a purchase can be made. The
story was on the street yesterday and
quite freely circulated that the new deal 7
is simply a move of Henry c. Scott of
St Louis under cover. There Is no foun-
dalton for such statements. The prcpo- /
sition made by Mr.. Davidson Is bonafde, |
is made in good faith and Is backed up
by plenty of money. There seems to be
also some good ground for the assertion
that the Church company. operating with !
J. o. Burdette. will attempt to build (
new system or improve the old Hne.
Superintendent w. Q. Church went to .
Chicago yesterday morning to meet his |
brother, II. B. Church. Of Boston, and I
Mr.. Burdette. It is understood that the |
purchase OF the old line referred to by 1
Mr.. Burdette is only an Opt n or a con-
tract for purchase upon which Mr.. Bur
dette has advanced 5000. This will make
the Church people $500 in on the old
road including the $1,000 bond forfeited
under the first franchise. 1t is expected
by some gentlemen fairly well informed
on the matter that Mr.. Burdette will be
sending new cars here within ten days.
A conference OF the gentlemen interested
will probably be held in Chicago Somor-
row. Mr.. Burdette notified Mayor Ross
in the letter read at the council and pub
ltshed in yesterdays Eage that he meant
to go ahead and improve the old system
at once. He may be induced. however,
to quit II he is offered a good sum for
the interest he has in the old system
now.
J. o. Davidson has secured the passage
OF a franchise which he has thirty Gays
to accept. II he can buy the cid system
he will accept the franchise and put IN
$4,000 as guarantee that he Will carry
out his contract. If he cannot purchase
City Attorney Helm will take legal ac-
ton to clear the streets unless Burdette
shall make heavy and rapid improve
ments which at this time is not thought
probable.