The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-20
SUNDAY. AUGUST 20, 1893.
TWENTY-SIX PAGES.
STRIKES AND PUBLIC FRANCHISES.

The recent experiences OF Cleveland,
Ohio. of Brooklyn and now of Chatta-
nooga, have started the friends OF good
municipal government and OF law and
order TO devising ways and means by
which strikes affecting public utilities can
be prevented.
1t is seemingly forgotten, both by strk-
ers and the corporations. in cases of dis
agreement. that the public have some
rights OF their own In the premises. 1t Is
the public's franchise that is being used
often without compensation to the city, 1t
is the people upon whom both sides to
the controversy depend for their support,
1t is the public inconvenienced. and 1t Is
the people that have legal right TO good
and safe service. Among the suggestions
made in the premises here is one from the
Outlook" that appears to offer a practical
solution of the character OF difficulties re-
ferred to:
A city ought never TO surrender its con-
trl OF its streets and its means OF trans
pSkation. II II gives to private corpora
ton the right TO use the streets. and de-
ponds on the private corporation for means
Of transportation. Il should have the right
TO compel that corporation 10 do what an
impartial tribunal says Is Just and right ip
n franchise is granted 1t should be accom-
panied with provision that whenever a
certain promotion OF the employees have any
complaint TO make against the corporation,
they Shall have right to demand that tho
complaint be submitted TO an impartial tri-
bunal. and that the corporation must submit
TO the decision OF such tribunal.
Supplementary to this should be dras-
tic anti-riot ordinance prohibiting any
number OF men from gathering anywhere
In public to in any way interfere with
apother's business, and the mayor be spe-
cially charged with Its enforcement.
charter accepted under such cond-
lions becomes contract which, II violated.
can work forfeiture. II In the cities
mentioned there had been such provisions
in the street railway charters and the
magpates had arrogantly declared that
there was nothing to arbitrate," the city
could have soon brought them to time
and prevented all the riot and disorder
and bloodshed that have recently been
witnessed.
But such provisions should not be con-
fined to any one line Of public service OPP
Grating under a city charter, but to all.
The like danger threatens the publcs
convenience and interests from other d.
rections than the street car lines and no
more onerous terms should be placed upon
one company than another.
Cities that are ruled by wise and honest
men hereafter. as the terms OF charters
expire for operating public franchises, will
see to 1t that the peoples interests are
far better and more infinitely safeguarded
dhan heretofore. These franchises are
becoming more valuable every day. To
require certain hxed charges for their use
the lowest possible charge to the public
consistent with fair profits to the com
pany, and the insertion Of provisions to
prevent strikes is not more than the
public have right to do. nor the COM
panies to expect
Too often. of late. In notable instances.
old charters have simply been renewed
without the public gaining materially
thereby. Such action is a confession by
the city authorities Of want OF business
or executive ability and an indication of
their ignorance that the world Is moving
rapidly In these latter days.