The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-05-03
USE Of WEST SIDE uVEE
1T WILL BE ASKED BY SOUTH ST.
PAUL BELT RAIL
WAY
ILLINOIS CENTRAL SCHEME
Such Is Believed to BE the Project
for Terminals on the
Flats In the Sixth
Ward.

Had the board of aldermen not adjourn
ed Immediately after assembling last
night, Aid. Bell would have sprung a
surprise on the body by introducing a
measure giving the right of way in West
st. Paul to an alleged belt line railroad
designed for the purpose of securing ter
minals in this city and West ST. Paul for
the Illinois Central Railroad company
The design of the Illinois Central to
secure terminals and trackage In the
Twin Cities to connect with the main
lines of the system has been known, but
the South st. Paul Belt Railway company
was for the first time yesterday men
toned in connection with the plans of the
Illinois Central. AS the ordinance was
not introduced last night Aid. Bell would
not discuss the proposed belt line freely.
The Introductory lines of the enacting
clause of the measure read as follows:
An ordinance granting the right Of way
to the South st. Paul Belt Railroad com
pany, from the southerly city limits at
Annapolis street, across the lowlands to
the Mississippi river, to a point to meet
the new river bridge approach at Lowell
street, and up the levee to Eaton ave-
nue., one block below Robert street, in
West ST. Paul"
Before Aid. Bell left the council cham
Der last night he was asked whether or
not the Illinois Central railroad company
was not in fact the parent of the belt
line
81 am not at liberty to say, and in fact
I do not know whether or not the Illinois
Central is interested. I only know that
my idea is to secure for West ST. Paul
some plan for the development of manu-
featuring property along the levee and
in the lowlands.'
rs the South ST Paul Belt company the
same for which Congr essman Stevens Sc
cured a new bridge charter from congress
last winter?"
81 believe the new bridge charter was
secured for the South St. Pau. Belt com
pany. AS l understand it the company
plans to do a large amount Of transfer
| ring for other roads. ! have heard the
Illinois Central mentioned in connection
with the pan, but am not in a position
/ to say that there is any bona fide connec-
ton between the two corporations. OF
| course | know the Illinois Central is seek
ing an entrance here, and can see how
! this plan might be good one, especially
4 if it desired TO own Its own terminals; In
/ place of leasing or renting them.
! City Engineer CIausssn said he knew
nothing about the railway companies in-
| terested in the proposed ordinance, but
] had estimated that the work TO be doEe
under the ordinance, including the b idge
across the river from Lowell to Arcade
streets, would involve an expenditure of
/ about 100000, the bridge alone costing
100000
In making inquiry into the ownership
of the land over which the railroad COM
| pany desires the right of way, Aid. Fell
made an odd discovery. Several weeks
ago a resolution was adopted granting to
George Cahoon, for the sum Of 81, fun aud
! clear title to lots and 6, block 3, of Mar
shall's addition, the same to be used by
| him for erecting and maintaining a street.
metal foundry The lots described lay
| along the west levee block or two below
the Robert street bridge. Aid. Bell d :
covered that the title to the lots did not
lie in the municipality, but that the fee
was owned by the National German
American bank. The act of the council
was an oversight and the alderman has
a motion for reconsideration ready to of
| fer at the next meeting.