The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-12-27

Peace. harmony and good will pre-.
vailed at last nights meeting OF the
common council during the consdera-
| tion of the street railway franchise or.
dinances in striking contrast to the
fierce wrangling and harsh debate
which characterized their consideration
| two weeks before.
| Amendments which had been agreed
upon by the gentlemen who are pro.
| noting the new railroad companies
and the members of the special com.
mittee appointed by the board of trade
were presented and adopted without
opposition. The ordinances awarding
franchises to the West End and South
Side Street railway companies were
passed unanimously on second reading
while action on the North End ordi-
nance was held over until the next
| meeting. after the amendments had
been adopted in Difference to the
wishes of certain interests opposing
it's passage.
The amendments agreed upon at the
conferences held during the past two
weeks were presented by Messrs. Rob-
athan and Calpin, respectively. and
| were substantially as follows:
Taxing the company's gross receipts
one per cent for the years 1907-S: two
| per cent for the two years following
and three per cent for every year there
| after, it being expressly stipulated that
the company agrees to pay five pei
| cent with the other company. provid-
! ing the license tax ordinance is de-
clared legal by the courts.
| MATTER OF GRADING.
Providing that the company shall dc
| no grading on any street until all the
property owners on said street shall
! have signed releases from damages and
providing that where no such releases
are signed the company shall furnish
| bond indemnifying the city from any
| pccuniary loss which might result from
! any damage claims which might be
presented.
Changing the time limit for the conf
pletion of the roads from two to five
years.
Providing that policemen and fire.
men shall be carried free by both COM
panies.
Providing that each company shall
issue transfers good on the lines Of
any Of the other two companies con-
trolled by the same interests.
Providing that cars shall be kept
running at five minute intervals on all
trunk lines during business hours.
Providing that If it becomes neces-
sary to strengthen any bridges over
which the company runs it's cars that
the cost of such strengthening shall
be borne by the company.
Providing that the rights granted by
each ordinance shall be binding on any
other company which may in time ac-
qlire the several systems.
Providing that no tracks shall be
placed on streets less than thirty-three
feet wide.
Just before the passage of the West
End ordinance on second reading and
after the adoption of the amendments
to this measure Mr.. Keller who led the
opposition two weeks ago, felt called
upon to explain why he intended to
vote for the ordinances as amended:
"a strong feeling has prevailed ever
since these ordinances We're introduced
two weeks ago." said he. against pas
sing them without restrictions. Con-
ferences have been held between the
gentlemen representing these new COM
panics and members of the board Of
trade and these amendments which
have been introduced tonight are the
result of these conferences.