The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-17
THE RAILROADS HEARD FROM.
THEIR POSITION IN THE BAY
STREET TRACK FRANCHISE.

ers and Not the Railroads viii
Reap the Benefits, They say-CoI.
MERGERS Eloquent Address to
Council Favoring the Movement.
A Committee to BE Appointed to
Formulate Conditions on which
the Franchise VIII BE offered to
the Railroads.
No attempt was made at the meeting of
Council, which followed a meeting of the
Committee Of the Whole yesterday after
noon, to take action upon the Bay street
track question. Mayor Myers stated af-
forwards that the meeting was called sim
ply for the purpose of hearing from the
railroad men and ascertaining their atti-
tude.
All Of the railroads were represented and
their representatives spent some time with
the committee in the Mayors office. Maps
and plans were examined and discussed
at some length. No definite proposition
was made by either side. The only for
ward step made in the matter was that
it was learned that the railroads would
undertake the enterprise Jointly, provided
Council would grant the franchise with
out toe many conditions attached to it.
The railroads were well represented.
President r. G. Erwin and Vice President
Knott, of the Plant System, headed the
delegation. General Manager Gabbett
with Attorneys Msckall and Anderson ep-
peared for the Georgia and Alabama. Vice
President Egan was absent, but Capt H.
c. Cunningham represented the Central.
Mr.. W. l.. Clay of the general counsel
of the Plant System, was also present.
The railroad people had expected that
the city would make them some definite
proposal which would afford a basis for
discussion. They found, however, that
Council simply desired to obtain further
information as to their views in the mat
ter. President Erwin, Capt. Cunning
ham, General Manager Gabbett and others
expressed their views, the discussion be-
ing of an informal nature. The railroad
men generally agreed that the railroads
would not derive any direct benefit them
selves from such an enterprise, as with
ell sharing in the privileges they would
be practically on the same footing as ait
present in competing for local business
and could only benefit by the possible in
crease in business which might result from
improved facilities. All the direct bene-
fits of the enterprise would be to the
property owners and business people, they
said, and for this reason they expressed
surprise that Council had not jumped at
the opportunity to secure such facilities
for the merchants at the expense of the
railroads.
While the conditions to be imposed by
the city were only incidentally discussed
the railroad representatives made it plain
that they would not regard favorably any
proposition from the city burdened with
onerous conditions, which would add
greatly to the cost of the enterprise or
which might seriously interfere with its
operations. They generally agreed that
the results of giving railroad facilities to
Bay street should rebound greatly to the
benefit of the property owners there, and
hence to the city, and that If the city
desired such facilities to be afforded IL
should place no unnecessary obstacles In
the way.
Superintendent Mcguire of the fire de-
partment was before the committee and
expressed his opposition to any plan
which would permit of railroad track in
front of the fire headquarters at Bay aud
Indian streets as this would constitute a
serious menace to the successful operation
of the fire department.
A number of business men and others
interested in the matter had gathered in
the long room of the Exchange, expecting
that there would be a general discussion
of the question. This had not been the
intention of Council, it was stated, but
because of the number of citizens present
1t was decided to hold a brief session in
the long room for the purpose of hearing
expressions. Among those present were
Col. George A. Mercer. Mr.. A. Ehrlich,
Mr.. 7. d. Daffin, Mr.. L. P. Hart, Mr.. Les
ter Hubbell, Mr.. A. f. Smith, Mr.. II. w
Palmer, Mr.. w. Fl. w. Schley Mr.. A. S.
Guckenheimer, Mr.. j. S. Collins, and
George A. Mercer. Jr., ESQ. all favorable
to the movement, and Messrs. j. F. CAVITY
William Mccormick and Thomas Cooley,
representing the property owners on In
dian and Williamson street, who oppose
tracks on those streets. These latter were
accompanied by their attorney, Mr.. ]. f.
Cam. General Manage II. NJ. Lotion and
d. G. Barrow, Esq, were present in behalf
of the street railway company.
A protest from Mr.. Jacob Rauers presi-
dent of the Savannah Brewing Company,
against tracks on Indian street and CIV
ing reasons why such tracks would be in
furious to the property of the brewing
company, was read. Messrs. J. r. An
derson and A. s. Guckenheimer, directors
of the brewing company, expressed their
surprise at the letter of President Rauers,
saying that no action had been taken in
the matter by the directors. Mayor My
ers replied that Mr. Rauers had handed
In the letter in person. and stated person.
ally his objections 10 the plans of the
railroads
A petition from property owners and
| business men on Bay street, giving rea-
sons why Council should allow tracks on
Bay street, was read, after which Mayor
Myers asked for expressions of opinion.
Maj. ]. f. Cam said that the objections
made by his clients applied entirely to
Indian and Williamson streets, on which
they are residents and property owners
He had no objections 20 tracks on Bay
street, provided some other route was
used.
MIR. A. r. Palmer said that on the peti-
| ton in favor of the tracks were the names
| of two property owners on Williamson
street, who paid more taxes on their prop.
critics than all the other property in the
street combined.
The feature of the open hearing was an
| eloquent address by Col. Mercer, in which
he strongly urged favorable action by
| Council as a step imperial lively demanded
| by present conditions for the future well
fare of the city. Col MERGERS address
was entirely impromptu and was delivered