The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-01-24

Aside from the fact that it is against
public policy TO convey without remu-
nerstion valuable municipal franchises
ior corporate or individual profit. there
are other strong and substantial reasons
why the council of Somerset should re-
fuse to pass the street railway ordinance
introduced in that body by Councilman
Ogle, definite action on which il is an
nOunced will he taken tomorrow night.
The fallacio1s argument has been sd-
vauced that the proposed street railway
win not cost the taxpayers of Somerset a
single penny. but, on the other hand. il
will prove Of permanent value to the
people, and therefore should be accepted
by them as a charitable bequest from
w. A. Scott. Jr., Esq, of Pittsburg, and
his unknown associates.
This argument was not meant to be
taken seriously by council, who have had
ample opportunity to familiarize them
selves with every phase of the question
and whose first duty is TO the people
whom it is proposed to dispossess of their
sovereign rights.
Il is needless to call the attention Of
council 10 certain natural conditions
which, to the laymsn. seem to preclude
the idea of erecting a street railway in
the borough of Somerset without entail.
ing enormous burdens upon the munici.
p Atty and putting the taxsb bles TO great
individual expense and inconvenience.
When we point out that the roadbed on
Main street, extending from the inter
section of East street almost 10 the west
ern limits of the borough, is higher than
the acknowledgements from one to
four feet the entire distance-and that the
water tables between the street and side
walks are from one to four feet deeper
than the sidewalks, we refer to con-
diiion that must be known to the men,
bers Of council. who in their drives to
and from the Highland Inn have doubt
less observed the contracted space which
vehicles are compelled to occupy in
traversiDg that thoroughfare, in order to
do so in safety.
1t is perhaps equally needless TO cite
the fact that the water-tsbles along the
street mentioned serve to convey the cell
lar and surface drainage not only of the
abutting properties but of nearly every
property on Main street from the public
square to the Somerset House, and on
Union street from the court house to the
extreme western limit Of the borough, to
point where it is deposited into Parsons
Run.
Similar conditions. only of more seri-
Gus and expensive character, exist on
Patriot street. from the Methodist church
TO the railroad station
A careful reading of the ordinance pre-
sented by Mr.. OgIe fails to show that the
alleged Somerset Traction Company has
signified its intention to file a bond for
the purpose of reimbursing the munich
pality for the expense il will Immediately
be put to in order TO widen the thorough
fares mentioned so that they can be
safely used by the public, or to provide
for the expense that will be involved in
prov viding new means for supplying cellar
drainage and for taking care Of the sur
face water west of Main Cross street.
No provision is made in th- ordinance
for the payment of salary for borough
engineer. an item of expense concerning
which the members Of council are GER
tsinly in position To form an estimste.
No provision is made that the alleged
Traction Company shall conform to the
street grades adopted by council, or that
it shall bear the expense of doing so
when called upon.
No provision is made for the borough
reserving the right TO revoke the ordi
nance whenever, in the judgment of the
municipality, it will be the proper thing
TO do in order to protect the rights of
citizens.
No provision is made for the borough
reserving the right to impose tax on
the poles and wires of the Traction Com
psny in case it should become expedient
to do so.
The proposed ordinance fails to limit
the number of tracks Mr.. Scott and his
associates will be privileged to put down;
it fails TO designate the points wh ere
switches are TO laid, if any: no provision
is made for safety rails az tenders on cars.
and the pattern and weight of rails to be
utilized is not mentioned. 1t does not
specify that Mr.. Scott and his associates
shall file bond To operate the road, if
completed. or that they shall file bond
indemnifying the owners of the streets
for any loss or damage they may sustain
by reason of delay in the completion
thereof.
The truth of the matter is that Mr.. w.
A. Scott, Jr., Esq, of Pittsburg, has the
sublime courage to ask the people of
Somerset, through their council, TO pre-
sent him with portions of three of their
most valuable streets, on which he shall
be privileged TO erect any manner of
street railway or tramway he may deem
proper, and against which the owners of
the streets will be powerless to protect
themselves.
The alleged Somerset Traction Com
pany and the Somerset Hotel Company,
with bOtl of which Mr.. Scott is promi
nently identified. seem to be inseparably
Citizens of Somerset who
were induced to pur chase building sites