The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-15
THE BAY STREET FRANCHISE.
CITY COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER 1T
THIS AFTERNOON.

ON Bay street VIII BE Considered
in Committee of the Whole and ID
Is Believed That Action viii he
FuvorabIe-The Aldermen said to
stand 10 In Favor of Granting
the Franchise to the Three Rail-
roads Jointly with Conditions to
BE Named by the city.
A meeting of the COMMITTEES Of the
Whole of Council will be held this after
noon for the purpose of considering the
petitions of the business men ana the
railroad companies with reference to plac-
ing railroad tracks on Bay street and
such other streets as may be necessary
in order to reach that street The rep
resentatives OF the railroads and others
interested have been notified of the meet
ing
The Indications are that the action of
the committee on the proposition to allow
tracks on Bay street viii be favorable,
that is, provided the railroads are willing
TO enter into a joint arrangement TO cen
struct and operate the tracks under the
conditions imposed by Council. 1t may
be that these conditions Will not be ae-
ceptable. One of the conditions wiI un-
doubiedly be the paving of Indian street
in case that street is used, which VIII
doubtless be done should the tracks be
built
Another condition will relate to the fire
headquarters at Indian and West Broad
streets. According to the plans submit-
ted the railroad tracks would run directly
in front of the engine house doors. and by
one of the plans, which proposes the use
of Williamson street in reaching the north
side of Bay street, it might be necessary
to cut off a corner of the engine house.
1t will undoubtedly be one of the condi-
lions that no trains or cars shall ever be
allowed TO stop in front of the engine
house under any circumstances. Some of
the Aldermen are of the opinion, how
ever, that the railroads should be required
to buy the engine house property, paying
therefor a sufficient sum 10 enable the city
to secure other quarters equally satisfac-
tory in the same vicinity, where there
would be no delay 10 the fremen IN re-
spending TO calls by reason of passing
trains. 1t is argued that ii would be inn
possible for the machines 10 get out OF
the engine house while trains were pass
ing, and that the result of this might be
moment.
There will be other conditions, of course,
relating to the hours when trains may be
operated and cars shifted, and a plan will
have to be agreed upon, locating the
tracks and sidetraeks. The question of
whether or not Williamson street shall be
used will also cali for considerable dis
cussion.
Council is said to stand eight TO four
in favor of granting the petition of the
railroads conditionally, For a long time
il looked as If the measure would not be
able to muster sufficient votes in Council
TO insure any sort of favorable action
whatever. The friends of the measure
wisely decided that il would be good pol
icy to keep the measure in the background
for time and allow its opponents to
think that the move had been abandoned
This is just what happened, but in the
meantime some very effective work was
being done in behalf of the proposition, and
Its friends now feel sure of success
Alderman James M. Dixon, who was
very determined in his opposition when
the move was first inaugurated, admits
thai he was off his guard, but he does not
yet concede defeat and proposes to put
up stiff fight against favorable action
this afternoon.
Mayor Myers is of the opinion that the
action of Council will be favorable TO the
v
owners, provided the railroads win act
jointly in the matter and accept the con-
ditions offered by Council
Alderman j. F. Williams is very strong
ly In favor of granting the desired fran
chise on Bay street, under reasonable con-
uitions. 1t is the only salvation for the
property owners on the street" said Mr.
Williams. There are no longer the OBJ
jections to allowing tracks on the Bay
which was once the case, when practical
iy all the drayage of the city was done
over the street"
Alderman Wells is of the opinion that
Council will grant the franchise condi-
tonaIy. IF the property owners desire
1t and can show that the tracks will prove
TO their benefit then / am in favor of
granting it," said he. There are some
objections 10 having railroad tracks on
Bay street, but If they will afford the BEN
ei1ts which the property owners claim they
will. the advantages win outweigh the dis
advantages"
All three OF the railroad systems enter
ing the city have petitions before Council
for the franchise. The Georgia and Ala
bama and the Central of Georgia wish TO
come up Indian street, reaching the
strand on the north side of Bay street by
way of Williamson street. and extending
their tracks to Bull street, or TO East
Broad street, as Council may decide. The
UP East Broad street 10 Bay, and thence
west on Bay street to a junction with
such other roads as may be allowed on the
street, The Central asks to be granted the
franchise independently, the Georgia aud
Alabama Is willing to accept 1t separately
or jointly with other lines, while the Plant
system simply wishes the privilege in case
1t Is extended to other roads
When the. ACCESSIBILITY of allowing rail-
road tracks on Bay street was first sug-
gested in the Morning News several
months ago, with the prediction that in
case this was not done many of the firms
on the street would probably move 10 the
railfoad warehouses, not single firm had
taken any steps in this direction, though
II was generally agreed that this was one
OF the things likely to come about in the
near future. The moment the break was
made away from Bay street, however, the
disposition to move assumed proportions
which soon became alarming to the prop
erty owners Two of the large whole
sale grocery houses are now located at
the railroad warehouses, two more are
preparing to follow, while several others
have the matter under serious consi1era-