The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1900-05-17
MORE FRANCHISES.
Chicago and Milwaukee Companies to
Ask For Railroad Grants From
The Council.
W. E. ENGLISH FOR THE CITY.

Chicago Attorney is Employed by the City
to Draft an Ordinance but His Work Needs
Many Changes-No Forfeiture Clause in
the ordinance-Paving Clause Also Needs
Fixing Citizens Protest Against specu-
1ative Franchises.
There is no doubt but the old fran
chise war in this city is to be renewed.
The work of the Council in regard to
the Haynes-C1ausen ordinance has
aroused the s1eepers and now it is re-.
ported that at the next meeting of the
Council two more franchises will be
presented for the consideration of that
honorable body.
One of them will be from the Mil
waukee Electric Light and Street Rail
way company and the other will be
from the Chicago ard Milwaukee com
pany, which has now completed line
as far as Waukegan.
Many of our citizens have been of
the opinion that the present promoters
were connected by the Milwaukee com
pany, but yesterday one of the direc-
tors of the company stated that this
was not the case and they were now at
work on an ordinance which will prob
ably be presented to the city next
Monday night. The Chicago and
Milwaukee Electric company have
communicated with a well known at
torney in this city and state that they
will ask for franchise as soon as the
ordinances now before the Council are
disposed of.
Alderman Curtis, chairman of the
railway committee was in Chicago yes
terday having the ordinance which will
be presented this evening, drawn. The
ordinance is drawn by Attorney Will
lam E. English who is reported to have
been employed by the city of Kenosha
for this purpose. AS it was previously
reported that Mr.. English was the rep
resentative of the promoters that mat
ter of the attorney is becoming very
interesting and some people ale hint
ing that the ordinance will be very
favorable to the promoters. However,
the document arrived this morning and
was at once'referred to Attorney ]. G.
Slater for examination. It is found to
contain many vital defects. First and
most serious of all is the fact that the
ordinance contains absolutely no for
fixture to insure that the company will
carry out the terms 'of the franchise.
The paving clause, which was the
star victory of the city, is also badly
mixed. It declares that if the paving
is not done by the:company it shall be
done by the city, and that the latter
shall levy on the property of the COM
pany for the cost Cof said paving.
Think of it. This is absolute security.
AS soon as the company begin to build
their line everything they have will,
of course, be mortgaged and then the
city can levy on the property, but the
levy will be worth just as much as the
paper it is written. on. kenosha has
waited many years for railway, and
now it is the duty of the citizens to see
that they have franchiseupassed that
will be according to the agreements of
the committee and 'the' promoters, and
not a trick ordinance which will give
the company all and theLcity nothing.
With other companies of recognized
standing waiting to make Iovertures to
the city and the city Council, we can
afford to make haste slowly.
The matter will Ecome before the
Council tonight andfrom the tendency
of the aldermen this afternoon it look
ed as if no decisive action would be
taken.