The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-14


At last the viaduct ordinance is fair
ly on its passage. 1t was started III
common council last night by Mr.. God
shall, referred to the streets and
bridges committee to be reported forth
with, favorably reported and passed
on first reading, and agreement made
to have special meeting next Thurs
day night to pass it on second and,
possibly, third readings.
All this was not done, however, with
out opposition. In fact, the way the
measure Jared at its launching pre-
saged rather tempestous voyage.
Mr.. Paine and Mr.. Keller spoke long
and loud against what they We're
pleased to term "railroading," and in
cidentally Mr.. Keller took occasion to
protest against the manner in which
the ordinance proposed to treat the
property holders along the line of the
Improvement There was a delegation
of dozen West Side board of trade
men present, and Hon. John r. Farr,
by invitation, spoke their sentiments
on the project.
The matter was brought up by Mr..
Godshal1 presenting the ordinance, and
by the reading of a communication
from City Solicitor A. A. Vosburg,
stating that the ordinance for the pro-
posed viaduCt had been submitted to
him, and that he found no legal OBJ
Jections to its passage; and that the
proposal of the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna and Western company and the
Scranton Railway company was in his
hands, and will be filed with the city
clerk. A copy of the proposal was at
tached to this communication, and was
as follows:
COMPANIES PROPOSITION.
TO the Mayor and Councils Of the City OF Scran.
ton.
Realizing the urgent need OF vIaduct on
West Lackawanna avenue, and in response TO
numerous requests of officials and citizens Of the
city OF scranton, the Delaware, LaCkawanna and
Western Railroad company and the Scranton
Railway company hereby offer and propose that
il the city will contract for and build bridge
or viaduct from Seventh street to Ninth street
over the Delaware. Lackawanna and Western
Railroad company tracks in accordance with
general plans this day submitted and agreed to
between us and the city engineer, will pay
the cost OF building the same II being uu.
derstocd that the city will assume all costs
for land and land damages resulting from this
construction, or from the change of grade Of
streets on account Of this construction: and
will also take Of the change or changes in
water mains, sewers, gas pipes or other conduts
upon said street.
The total expense to our two companies to be
limited to the actual cost of the construction Of
the foundations and superStructure OF the VIA
duct. The viaduct to be and remain the prop
erty of the city. 1t being further understood
that the ordinance authorizing the construction
of the viaduct shall provide for the vacation of
the present grade crossing Of the avenue over
the property of the Delaware lackawanna and
Western Railroad company, and whatever, con
sent may be necessary for the Scranton Railway
company 10 construct and operate its double
tracks upon the yiaduCt.
During the period of construction consent Il
to be given to the Scranton Railway company
for such temporary location of tracks as may
| he necessary, so that continuous travel may be
maintained between Hyde Park and the center
OF the city. The details of the ordinance au.
thorizng the construction OF the yiaduct and
| the contract providing for the payment for the
| same to be approved by our attorneys and the
| city solicitor, and the plans and specifications
| and contracts fer construction to be approved
by our engineers and the city engineer.
This proposition is made with the understand
| ing that it will be acted upon promptly.
(Signed)
The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad
Company, by w. II. Truesdale president
| (Signed) Scranton Railway Company,
BY c. NJ, Clark, President
| Scranton, Pa, Aug. "a, 1900
OPPOSED HASTY ACTION.
Mr.. Godshalrs motion to have the
ordinance referred to committee with
| instructions to report forthwith
| brought Mr.. Paine TO his feet. 1t was
| too important a matter to pass hastily
he said. He had very little informa
ton on it and had been unable to see
| the plans.
Mr.. Grier favored immediate action
arguing that the matter was thorough
| ly understood. Mr.. WenZel opposed
| haste and called attention to the fact
that the ordinance permits the trolley
company to temporarily extend its
| line through SchnelPs court, which is
| only fourteen feet wide. Mr.. Calpir
| contended that the ordinance provid.
ed for the kind of viaduct every one
wanted; that the provisions of the
measure We're thoroughly understood
by ALL and that, as far as the com.
plant of the property owners alonl
the line of the improvement was con
cerned, it should be remembered tha'
the convenience of the many was to bC
considered rather than the inconven
ience OF the few.
This was Mr. Kellers cue. He point
ed out how tn ordinance was very
solicitious about the trolley company
in providing 1t with a temporary rout,
during the building of the viaduct
but not a thought does it give as L
how the business houses will be en-
abled to continue business during tn,
same period.
THE traction company gets what I
wants. 1t owns our streets, controls
us and does as it pleases You make
| provision for them to continue bust
| ness, but none for me and Ira Bennett
| Hunt a COnnell, Watts and others.
am ready to meet this city half way
but ] won't have my rights trampleC
upon. All | want is means to get into
my place of business while the viaduc
is being built and when ii is built tC
have my place raised to grade"
AS TO GENEROSITY.
Mr. Keller spoke rather unenthuslas
tically about the generosity of the rail
road companys offer The interest OF
the money that it will contribute t
the viaduct, he said, would be less thar
what il costs now for fiagmen
He pleaded that the ordinance SHOULD
not be railroaded, and said he mad
the plea in the interest, among othe
things, of Hyde Park, This brough
a loud guffaw from the West Side con
tingent, and made Mr.. Keller color per
ceptibly about the collar. After re
ferring caustically to the parties VIII
laughed, he concluded with: II say W,
| have rights there as DrODertV- holder