The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-29
FRANCHISE IS GIVEN
To J. O. Davidson for a New
Street Railway.
GOV. STANLEY TALKS
To the Council on UseIeSsness
of Delay

Mr.. Davidson IS given thirty days q
accept It and pat up lO,OOO forfeit money
With him are associated Colonel T. G
Fitch and Mr. GODDARD of Chicago. The
thirty days are given to allow Mr.
Davidson time TO get possession Of tbs
streets.
A letter from Mr.. J. o. Burdette Of
Boston to Mayor Ross stated that Mr.
Burdette had bought the road. He pro-
posed to repair the old road and would
fight anybody who attempted to get ii
off the street. On this account Mr.. David
son was allowed thirty days to accept the
franchise.
It calls for lines to Friends university
from the corner OF Main and Douglas.
To Dold's packing house
To Fairmount.
To College Hill.
To Harry street on South Main.
Through the park.
There is ten minute service on North
Main and East Douglas avenue to the
depots.
MIR. Davidson agrees TO put the track
in repair and put on new cars in time
for the street fair.
The franchise committee was in session
most of the day yesterday with Mr..
Davidson, Colonel Fitch and Mr. GODDARD
of Chicago. Nothing had been heard
from Henry c. Scott of St Louis, who
had the privilege Of accepting the amend
ed franchise passed two weeks ago.
When the report OF the committee on
franchise and licenses was reached Mr.
Herbig got uD and said he had a propo-
sftton from Mr.. Davidson.
Mr.. Cubbon moved that the proposed
ordinance be read. Mayor Ross produced
the following letter from Mr.. Burdette.
which he asked to have read before con-
sideration Of any street car ordinance:
Boston, Mass, Aug. 25 1899.
Hon Ffniay Ross. Mayor. Wichita. Kan:
Dear Sir: I take pleasure in informing
you, as mayor of the city OF Wichita,
that I have purchased for a syndicate,
who are people who can and will back
UP their undertakings, the present Wichi-
ia Railway and Electric Light company,
subject of course to the lease granted
by them respecting the lighting, which
has some eight years to run. We pro-
pose at once to proceed to develop the
Wichita railway company to its full ex-
tent, and give the people Of your city
what they have not had but are entitled
to. as good transportation as there Is in
any city.
As you know, we have been fought,
ever since deposited my $4,000 with you,
by every combination possible. but to-
day We are in a position to say, that we
hold a franchise in your city, good for
some years to come. which we will make
valuable, both to your interests and our
selves
Under these circumstances, we would
ask you not to grant any franchise to
anyone. besides myself as we are ready
and able to protect ourselves against
any antagonistic litigation. We propose
to give to your city all that you can pos
sibly wish for.
OF course we do not touch the lighting
contract under this purchase. but the
same people who have bought te present
read are ready and able to give to the
city the very best terms on lighting
Under these circumstances ask you and
the honorable council not to grant any
franchise or take any action, other than
the one presented by my agents In my
behalf
l desire to say 90 you that we placed
our money with you a year ago in the
best faith, and have been hampered by
the action OF parties who are now ap-
plicants for favors at your hands.
We today hold the present franchise
and propose to develop It, and we shall
hold any parties responsible who shall
in any way interfere with our rights.
Yours respectfully,
J. o. BURDETTE.
The ordinance proposed by Mr. Davidson
was read by City Clerk McClain. Gov
ernOr Stanley was present and spoke of
the matter Of any further delay. He said
II would be more than useless TO DELAY
action upor what Mr.. Burdette had writ
ten. ''These people have $4,000 nut up
here" he said, land they are going to
block the game. That's why they got
this old property here. There is n threat
In Mr.. Burdette's letter Of a lawsuit IL
a Franchise Is granted to anybody but Mr..
Burdette and the men he represents You
all know Mr.. Davidson and Colonel Fitch,
they are interested here. Their homes
are here. They will be keen to build w
the city for that will build up their own
business. They have the money TO put
IN this street railroad II you will give
them n franchise toniglll they will begin
action tomorrow. Governor Stanley was
roundiy cheered. Mr.. Davidson was ask
ed II he would accept a franchise and put
up forrest as the matter stood. Col.
FEch replied that they could not and
would not Nobody he said could put any
amount OF money as the matter is now
We expected To get the old road. We were
told to hold ourselves In readiness 10 take
this line and al the old junk belonging
TO 1t We were simply buying It 10 get
II out OF the way. II We got it We were
going TO come here and put IN ten thou
sand dollars as a guarantee OF our GOOD
faith and ask for franchise. We'y cot
the money here now but cannot nut any
thing up under the present condition.
City Attorney Helm asked him IL at
the end OF thirty days he could get DOS
session OF the streets ne would put IN
the ten thousand dollars.
IF we get possession Of the streets"
said Col. Fitch, ''we'H put up the money.
and II we can't. we'll be willing TO can
Gel the franchise and quit
I'VE can get men enough TO throw the
stun of the street." said Mayor Ross.
GIVE THE CHILDREN A DRINK /
called Grain-o. 1t is delicious. sppe-