The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-28
NEW WHITE BEAR line
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TALK
OVER THE QUESTION OF FRAN
CHISE ASKED FOR
MR.. YOUNG EXPLAINS PLANS
Cannot Build the Line This Year,
because They VIII Have to Ar
range for Right of Way
Through Washington County-A
business Proposition In the
Hands Of Business Men

The board OF county commissioners
yesterday spent the afternoon in dis
cussing the matter Of the application of
Theodore Borup, Charles w. Bum, Rich
ard T. O'Connor, Frank B. Howell and
Elbert A. Young for a franchise to con-
struct and operate an electric road from
the city limits to White Bear lake The
proposed franchise was gone into in de-
tail. but final action was postponed for
two weeks, to which time the board ad-
journed. e4
e. A. Young, of Finch, Van Slyck,
Young & Co., appeared on behalf
of the promoters to explain the intentions
of his colleagues. and was subjected to
long and searching cross examination
by the members of the board. The propo-
sition was read by Secretary Drummond
and Commissioner Wright sprang the first
query. He wanted to know why the
route proposed could not be followed with
the addition of a loop on the White Bear
and Lake Phalen road at the city limits.
I'VE have never considered that propo-
sition," answered Mr.. Young.
Then there was discussion as to
whether the tracks should be built in
the middle or at the side of the road
Commissioner Wright thought that the
side of the road was the proper place
and Mr.. Young said he did not think the
promoters would object.
Commissioner Quehl remarked that he
would protest against the granting of a
franchise for a thirty-year term, and
Commissioner Powers suggested that in
his opinion the promoters were only
working out plan to have the county
widen the roads and build bridges be-
tween White Bear and the city.
You ask for three years to build this
road in," observed Mayor Kiefer. There
are only seven or eight miles to be built
Now, isn't this plan to hold the fran
chise SO that nobody can compete?"
There isn't any one else I'm the field"
remarked Commissioner Hardfck.
The mayor said he had heard there
were other parties anxious to build and
suggested that the franchise provide for
the construction of certain number of
miles each year. This proposition, how
ever, did not agree with the views Of
Mr. Young
IF this road is built 1t will be in one
summer" he said. "It will be built on
business principles by business men.
The construction Of the road means the
expenditure Of a large amount of money
and 1t will take us some time to make the
necessary arrangements. We may have
to build a power house and we have still
to arrange for right of way in Washing
ton county None of my associates
would consent am sure. to build the
road In sections We may not be able to
make our other arrangements for some
time. This is no new thing with US. 1t
has been under consideration for several
years.
when do you propose to build?" asked
the mayor
II don't think we can buiid this road
this summer, but we can accomplish
great deal In that direction We shall
not complete the construction at the end
Of a summer any way. We want it fin
ished so that we can commence to op
crate with some show Of an income"
Commissioner Lott suggested that there
should be time schedule submitted to
tho board for consideration, but Mr..
Young would not agree to. this.
After further discussion the matter was
laid over for two weeks on motion of
Commissioner Powers
A delega ton from the White Bear I'M
provemeDt association appeared before
the board headed by j. w. Taylor and
John H. Schultz who. In the interest of
a resolution directing the county surveyor
to survey the proposed route for a. boule-
ward around White Bear lake. 1t was ex-
Dlained that the survey was necessary 10
arrive at an estimate of the cost of con-
struction and the resolution vas unani-
mously adopted.