Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-02-07
TWELVE PAGES
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY Z, 1899.
COMPETITION IN LOCAL
TRANSPORTATION.

The healthy growth OF Norfolk can
be promoted only by wise and liberal
policy on part of the city government
toward those who are willing to risk
their money in new enterprises here.
The Norfolk and Atlantic Terminal
Street Railway Company, through its
President, stated to the committee or
the councils to which it's petition for
CRANKY street privileges had been re-
ferred, that the company was ready,
at once. To build and equip u double
track road from the business-centre of
Norfolk to Sewell's Point and establish
q commodious ferry TO Old Point Com
fort, If it's petition were granted
Tho improvements will consist of
strictly first-class, up-to-date construc-
ton, rolling stock. and equipment; n
draw bridge so feet wide for cars and
vehicles across Tanners Creek; and a
Union Pier at Sewells Point, of n ca
pacity to accommodate any OF the
steamers now plying in our harbor.
All that is asked for in this petition
is simply: leave 10 reach City Hall
Avenue through CRANKY street. until
Tripoli Street shall be opened.
The only opposition offered before the
committee was from the Norfolk Street
Railway Company, which claims that
the petitioners seek to cncroach Upon
its territory. Has that Co. been in
vested with n monopoly of CRANKY
street. or OF any street. in Norfolk? Is
It pretended that the people of Norfolk
must be deprived OF any public i'm
provements and developments which
the Norfolk Street Railway Company
may object to, as in its opinion an i'm
pairment OF their presumption of the
public thoroughfares of this city?
The privileges granted to the Norfolk
Street Railway Company were not, and
are not exclusive; nor could the coun-
ellis or any other legislative body trans,
form our public highways into Norfolk
Street Railway Highways, or into any
thing but public highways. That Com
pany ought to be satisfied and grateful
for such privileges as 1t has received on
our streets; and should show It's appre-
citation of the liberality extended to it.
by not attempting to prevent any new
enterprise from acquiring similar prvi-
leges,-especally in this case, wherein
there will be an expenditure of at least
one million dollars OF out-of- town
money within our suburbs. of which the
Norfolk Street Railway Company Will
receive its full share of benefit.
That Co. has also raised questions as
to the Legislative authority of the Ter
minal Co. to construct line parallel
with the existing road. within two
blocks of the latter; as to the imprac-
ticability of placing another track on
CRANKY street; and other questions OF
technic and detail; but these should
have no bearing ut all on the main is
sue, as they are only raised as obs taclcs
to an intrusion upon the "one-man-
rule" of our streets. and its accommo-
dations for the public; but which, in
stead of Obstacles would he quickly
changed to advantages, If the PROPOSE
ton for public benefit were in the in
terests Of that Co.
1t is for the general welfare of the
people of this city that these great i'm
provements he made by our own enter
prising citizens, who are devoting their
energies, time and money TO build UP
this section, and who have by their
success so far acquired the confidence
vest their money with that of our home
men; and high public spirit behooves