The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-07
THE sTREET-RAILwAY CONTRACT.

The new street-rallway company. having
accepted the terms made by the mayor and
Board of Public Works, there now seems no
obstacle in the way of concluding the con-
tract at once, thus putting the long and
embarrassing controversy regarding street
railways out Of the way. All things consid-
cred, the Journal believes that a most ad-
vantageous contract has been made for the
city. All things considered, the city and its
people have. or will obtain several million
dollars for their franchise. The people will
get the advantage of a Accent fare street
paving and repairs. and system of uni
versal transfers with a first-class service.
In addition a bonus of SLIGO 900, scattered
over the thirty-four years, which is the
length of the franchise, will be paid by the
company. The contract is said to be so care
fully drawn that the company can be COM
PEELED to give the city the service which it
agrees to give. 1t is such charter or con-
tract as will take the street-railway corpo-
ration out OF local politics, for the reason
that it will have contract which 1t must
keep, and it can have no pretext or reason
for meddling with local affairs. 1t Is prom
Used that four of the seven directors shall
shareholders.
If the city was free and clear to dispose
of a franchise to any company, it is barely
possible, but not probable that better terms
could have been obtained. but the city is not
in that condition. 1t has no franchise to dis
pose of, and many able lawyers do not be-
lieve that the city will have a franchise to
dispose of in 1901. If the Citizens Company
should be continued in possession it would
claim a perpetual franchise. that several
years would pass before that claim could be
settled in the courts, during which period
the people would be forced to accept inferior
service and pay out large sums of money
for lawyers fees in a litigation requiring
the best legal talent. The new company, be-
fore it can receive a new franchise, must
surrender to the city every existing fran
chse, of which there are several. The COM
pany is prepared to do this, so there can be
no more litigation regarding franchises. For
these and many more reasons the Journal
believes that the general interests OF the
CITY, anu Oh oil It's pSOpie, liOlh tiiS IiiuS Oh,
will be better promoted by accepting the
agreement than in trusting for cheaper
fares with all the uncertainties of the stu
alton. The Board of Works having submitted
the contract to the Council for approval,
there can be no cause for delay for hearings.
for the reason that the subject has been so
long before the people that every member
of the Council must be thoroughly informed
of the details of the proposition.
This contract is so much better than has
been made by any other city in the United
States that it is sure TO attract general at
tention and have an educational effect re-
garding the value of such franchises. No
doubt the company expects to make money
under the franchise it would not con-
tract on the terms offered. 1t is enough that
the city makes a good bargain and has given
the country an instructive lesson as to the
value of municipal franchises.