The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-04-04
Kansas City, KS, Council Catch
a Glimpse of Rope.
Constituency Opposed to Grant
ing Street Railways
VALUED FRANCHISES.
Mass Meeting Gathers at City
Hall For Business.
City Fathers PrudentIy Con-
clude to Surrender.

Kansas City, Kas., April 4.-The voice
Of the people, backed up by a show of
hemp. prevailed yesterday over the evil
dent determination OF the city council
to grant valuable franchises to street
railway companies.
The council met yesterday afternoon,
and confronted by 200 citizens who
meant business, passed a motion to the
effect that it was .'the sense of this
council that no action be taken by the
present council on the franchises for the
Metropolitan electric line and the Leav-
enWOrth line, or on any other franchises,
during its present life
Councilman Laughlin, a member of
the franchise committee, and the re-
Gently reelected Democratic council
man from the First ward, made the mo-
ton.
The stormy meeting held Tuesday
night had adjourned until O'CLOCK
Wednesday. Promises had been made
that at this meeting the council would
do nothing with the franchises. and
would meet only to hear the reading OF
the journal But the citizens who have
been fighting the franchises did not trust
the promises.
When o'clock came a large crowd
had collected in the council chamber.
Councilmen Neale, Rotert and Grubel
were present, and Mayor MarShman
looked in for moment, but soon Went
away.
called for, and ]. A. Smith called an ex-
tempOraneous meeting to order. Judge
Manning Mr.. La Grange. Charles Hams,
u. L. Linn. w. L. Wood, E. S. McAnany
and several other prominent citizens ex-
pressed the sentiment of the gathering
that the time had not come for the
granting of street railway franchises,
and expressed a lack of confidence in the
present city administration
Il was a judge of election last night,
and was helping to count votes for Mr..
CraddOck while you people were pro
testing against the council passing these
franchise ordinances, said Mr. Wood.
Il tell you that 1 am going to be here
at every meeting Of the council and see
that they don't pass these ordinances
If you are in need of a. leader and are
afraid that no one will be present to
lead you in your war on these ord1-
nances don't let that worry you any
longer. There will be somebody present
to lead youth be there, and I'll be the
leader"
Here's the rope" sang out one of his
auditors, throwing rope at his feet
Il don't need any rope-Wait till they
try to pass those ordinances.
z. s. McAnany, who has been one of
the leaders in the fight on the franchise
warned the people against a possible
combination Of Leavenworth line and
Metropolitan interests, saying that the
Leavehworth franchise, which met with
favor Tuesday night, might be used as
a rider for the Metropolitan franchises.
some OF the COunc1lTncn are Trying 70
create the impression that the demon
stra ton Tuesday night was a joke But
I tell you we meant business" said Mr..
McAnany.
While the mass meeting was listening
to these speeches it was discovered that
Walton Holmes was on the street in
front of the city hall in consultation
with employees of the Metropolitan, and
that a few of the councilmen were go
ing into a secret session.
.'There're passing the franchise down
stairs" was the cry. Wen go down
after them then" shouted Bill Wood.
While the crowd was debating the best
action to take John Radford president
of the council and chairman of the
franchise committee, and Councilmen
Corson. Laughlin and Wright entered
the council chamber. Mr.. Radford took
the chair in the absence of the mayor
Lets find where the councilmen
stand. Let's hear from Wright called
the audience.
II don't recognize this as a meeting of
the council said w. J. Wright. when
the council is in session I'll talk
Joe Laughlin made a motion that ac-
ton on all franchises be indefinitely
postponed. This was objected to as not
definite enough, and at the suggestion Of
given above. The vote was taken by
roll-call. all councilmen present voting
aye, as follows: Corson, Grubel, Laugh
lin. Neale Radford. Rotert, Wright.
When the last councilman had voted
the crowd broke out in the strains of
my Country, IT'S of Thee and the
council adjourned until 10 o'clock Friday
morning, when the Journal viii be read
and the votes Of the election canvassed-