The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-05-05

BY a vote Of twelve to two the city
council at a special meeting last night
declared itself in favor of granting a
franchise for the use of First West
street 10 the Salt Lake Valley Railway
company All that is now needed to
make the franchise valid is the mayors
approval. The new company proposes
to run an electric railway to Ogden.
Those who were opposed to the grant
ing of the franchise were COuncilmen
Hartenstein and Robertson. The latter
made a strong plea against the advisa-
bility of the city granting such a fran
chise. he said that after a most care
dui study of the matter he had come
TO the conclusion that it was not a le-
gitImete scheme. He could not see any
reason why the new company should
not go as far west as Third West street
and enter the city along with The other
railroads. 1t had been stated before
this body that it was no concern of the
council whether or not the enterprise
would be o. paying concern. He beIieY-
ed II TO be the duty of the council to
concern itself with the matter of the
probable financial success Of any com
pany 10 which IL gave franchise. He
SAID that the country between Salt
Lake and Ogden is sparsely settled, and
on this account a concern Of the kind
proposed would not be likely to be sue
cessfuL He regarded the Warm Springs
property over which it is prOpCs I'd that
me city should grant the Salt Lake
valley Railway company right of way
as one of the most valuable pieces Of
properly owned by the city, and cOnsid-
cred that it would be a shame to grant
such right of way. AS TO the amend
ment with regard to the company not
being allowed TO run any rolling stock
over its tracks other than its own. Mr.
robertson said that this was a ridIcu-
lOuS statement on its face, as it was a
We'll known fact that neither Of the 9TH
er companies had sufficient TO ling stock
10 accommodate the travel over their
own roads in the busy seasons of the
summer Every amendment taht had
Deen advanced in favor of the peODle Of
Salt Lake had been voted down in the
council, and all that stood to help the
new company had been passed. It had
Oeen said that the company intended to
purchase and lease hotels, resorts. etc
Mr.. Robertson, with a touch of sar-
casm, asked the cOuncilmen if they did
Isct consider this quite an Undertaking
Tor a concern that is capitalized for
only $4,000. In his opinion, there is
not a local man connected with the DrO-
posed road whose financial standing is
a guarantee Of the good faith of the
company. He considered that Judge
Powers had not only insulted Mr.. Har-
teTStein, but every member of the
council, when he made the statement
that every member should vote on the
matter according 10 the dictates Of the
people whom ne represented. The pass
7uur Of the IN
would not place the council in a very
good light
Hartenstein's Objections.
Councilman Hartenstein opposed the
granting OF the franchise for the rea-
son that 70 pei. cent of the residents of
First WeDt street. are opposed to the
building and operating of a railway
on that street, and he considered that
II would be especially detrimental TO
uhe Sisters academy. Mr.. Hartenstei
also objected t. the road running
through the Warn Springs property.
Mr.. EernStrOm made the point that
the DroDOseC company would pay
heavier lax on its rolling stock than
either OF the old COmpu MES. It could
not be denied he said, that a street
car company is = benefit to any city. Tt
would increase Che taxes in that part
OF the city through which it ran its
cars.
AIr- Canning said that he believed
that the company is earnest and hon
est in its proposals.
Councilman Edgar Howe considered
that the proposition made by the COM
pany was genuine and bona fide. He
thought that the granting Of a right
OF way through the Warm Springs
property would enhance the value of
that land. He considered that if the
company had not the money behind it.
1t would never embark in the enter
prise.
DR.. Beatty expressed a profound con-
Adenee in the ability Of City ATTORNEY
stephens to draw UP a cast iron con-
tract which would leave the company
no lOophole TO act in bad faith He con-
Sidered that the inveStmeL J. of as much
money as the company would be oblig-
ed TO make would be an inestimable
advantage to the city. He stigmatized
ali the objections raised by Mr.. Rob
erts0n, except that in which he had al
3uded TO the proposed. capitalization of
the company as So. 000. as decidedly
trivial
Councilman Whittemore. Hewlett.
IhomaS G r. Howe and COttreIl also
spoke III favor Of granting the fran
chlse- Mr.. Whittemore said that he
was sorry that the council would not
be unanimous in it's vote for the grant
lIlg OF the franchise. Mr. Hewlett
thought that the new railroad would
he big paying concern. Mr. Thomas
thought that a franchise 80 vaIuabIe
should be paid for. Mr.. Howe said that
as all q the railroads are inclined to
discriminate against the rublie the
competition created by the establish
ing o. a now line would tend to i'm
prove matters. Mr. COttrell said that
he took exception 10 the statement of
Aar Robertson that he road would run
through q spaTsely settled country. On
the contrary, II would run through one
Of the best localities in the state Co
ing through county having 1900 in
habltants, II would monODolize the ex-
press business and be a benefit To Salt
Lake in bringing in small fruits in
much greater abundance than il wo1lId
be possible for them 10 be transDorted
otherwise.
Substitute Bill Killed.
On motion of Mr.. Hartenstein, a term
Of fifty years was placed to the life of
the franchise. Earlier IN the evening
he had submitted a substitute bill for
the consideration of the council The
principal provisions Of this substitute
We're that the road should start from
the intersection Of North Temple and
Third West streets instead of Third
South and First West streets. as6sAe
bin proposed that the city should sn
pose a tax OF 1 cent of the gross earn
ings Of the road; that the carrying Of
freight should be prohibited; that if
The company violated any Of the terms
of its franchise its property should re-
vert TO the city, and that the CITY
should have the option at any time 70
purchase the c0mpany's property at
far valuation OF the rolling stock and
other property Of the company at such
1lma. without any oannmtalInn fol. the