The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-04
ACnmnnIentIan

The following Communication has been
received:
To the Editor Of the Eagle: That the
will ever grant such franchise for street
railroads as that now under considera-
ton we think no sensible man believes
possible The idea Of our granting such
a valuable privilege as the rights
to the streets of our beautiful and
prosperous city on any terms like these
now proposed is preposterous. Western
people all know the hoggishness (excuse
us) selfishness of the people who in early
days took up land in forty acre tracts
along our streams and thereby fenced ont
their neighbcrs from water, and reduced
the value Of the land back from the
streams at least one-half. This franchise
would act In the same way on all d op-
erty six blocks removed from street car
lines. A careful consideration of the
terms proposed will convince any candid
man that the city Of Wichita, as a whole
will suffer a depreciation in taxable val
ues of at least $40, 900 as soon as any such
franchise as this is granted. Not only so.
but there would be no redress. With the
cream OF the city In the hands OF such
monopoly. and with such provisions as
to extensions, no competing line ever
could be built. A prosperous suburb
would be absolutely at the mercy OF the
greedy corporation and could only get an
extension of road at probably its full cost
to build and equip with perhaps a bonus
besides. Our colleges are going to be
tremendously handicapped just when they
are getting such fine start and our city
as an educational center Quilt UP by cur
own people without one cent of state aid).
is going to suffer enormously. But
enough of this. AS we said IN the outset.
we do not think any, sensible person con-
siders the granting OF such franchise
possible. We wish TO say a few words
further as TO the true solution Of this
vexed problem under the head OF the
street railroad question.
Not many years ago the franchise for
street railroads in Wichita was worth
several thousand dollars, and was pay
ing investment. Today We understand IL
is begging customers at $4,000 or less,
and the company IS virtually bankrupt.
Today the city IS in better condition
financially. has more sure signs Of per
manent prosperity. has less rivalry from
surrounding towns. has a ar more stable
and quite as large a population az u ever
did. As a wholesale and packing center
we are secure, and as an educational CEN
ter we are leading the state. Now why
this depr4ciated value OF our street rail
road franchise There Is but one answsT
and that is apparent 10 all our PEOPLE.
The plant is worn out. the service utterly
unreliable. and people will not rida- No
person can make even a business engage
meut dependent on the street cars 70
carry IL out for the reason TINT he knows
not the hour-no, not the day even on
which the ears will run. Let good road
be put In here with fair ana reliable SIR
vice and within FIVE years We predict
this franchise will be worth more tkan =
ever was and will be 4 handsomely Tay-
ing investment Now shall we throw
this valuable thing away. or give 81 20
some monopoly which VIII say our very
life blood? BY all means no.
Two SoIut!ons-First. let the city take
hold 81 the franchise itself. sxpend 81 -
in buying about eight new cars, putting
in new ties. etc. and bringing the roai