Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-01-22
WHEELING REGIS TER ~ EsDAY Z, JANUARY %, 1901

He opposed the railroading OF the
bill through on one hearing, one read
ing. one speech. He was not prepared
to say how he would vote. The mem
bers should have chance to digest
and consider the matter, and then pass
upon it.
Mr.. Peterson thought more light
upon the Wellsburg and Wheeling
railway, which was referred to in the
discussion, should be had. He said
that when the matter was proposed.
the Wheeling railway people offered
to make traffic arrangement which
would enable the new company to use
the Fourteenth street loop" The
Wheeling Traction Company stood
ready to encourage any company
that would bring passengers to
Wheeling, and help build UP the
business OF tie Wheeling Trac-
ton Company. 1t appeared to
him that the provisions of the
bill under consideration were
very sweeping. He asked no favors
for the company, except due consider
alton Of very weighty matter. He
moved to refer the bill to special
committee for investigation and re
port.
Mr.. Jas B. fancy thought the OBJ
jections mentioned by Mr.. Peterson
were covered and protected in section
4 of the bill. 1t was his understand
ing that the matter has been under
consideration for several days, and
was not forced upon the meeting
without an opportunity for consider
alton. He thought the members
ought to take into consideration the
fact that the Legislature will be in
session but thirty days longer. He
thought that citizens would feel graft
fed in the statement by Mr.. Peterson
that the Wheeling company is ready
to encourage street railway enterprises
but he called attention to the fact
thai 1T was merely verbal state
ment. When it comes to closing deals
between corporations such statements
do not always stand. He placed
stress on the fact that legislatures of
other states have passed similar mea-
sures in the interest of the public
good.
Mr. Hubbard offered a resolution to
refer back to the railroad committee
of the Board, Mr.. Peterson having
withdrawn his motion for a special
committee.
Capt. Franzheim thought the entire
matter could be Strengthened out
when the charter Of the Citizens Rail-
way Company expires. 1t was pure
ly local matter, and might be best set
tied by council.
Mr.. Rice thought the proper pro
cedure for the Board would be to pass
a resolution asking Ohio county's
representatives to favor any measure
which will enable the construction
and operation of new street railways
entering Wheeling.
Mr. Handlan called attention to the
fact that none of the discussion had
touched upon the merits of the bill.
His company wanted to be placed in
position to say to New York capital
lists that the same law exists in West
Virginia as in New York, and that if
the railway companies will not agree
upon reasonable terms, the people
will compel them to do so. There are
certain barriers to the construction
of the road, which can only be over
come by the proposed new law and
until these barriers are overcome, the
projectors cannot get a cent.
Mr. Handlan said the company
would meet with opposition from in
terested parties in Charleston, just as
it was meeting with opposition from
interested parties In the Board. IL
the Board refused to endorse the bill
it would be virtually the assertion to
the world eve don't want any more
street railways We have one" Mr.
Handlan said that if the measure
were not constitutional it would be
made constitutional. He wanted the
Board to pass upon the matter upon
its merits and say in effect tha. it
wants new railroads. To refer the
bill back to a committee means its
condemnation. Mr.. Handlan made
strong argument in favor Of the bill,
and was several times interrupted by
applause. which was renewed when
he concluded.
Mr.. Holloway and Mr.. Handlan en-
gagged in a short dialogue. during
which the former stated that the mat
ter could be arranged to-day. if the
Wheeling & Cadiz people desired it. AS
an example, he told about the two
short conferences at which the com
pany consented to the use of it's tracks
by the Wheeling & Lin Grove Rail-
way Co
Mr.. Holloway referred to the provis-
ion of the bill that a new company may
use oneeiehth of the entire trackage
OF the Wheeling Traction Company. He
charged that the Dill was framed in the
interest Of another company, which
proposed to simply make a raid upon
the Wheeling Traction Company. He
said Mr.. Handlan knew this.
Mr.. Handlan denied it. Mr.. Hollo-
way referred to the foreign capital as
doubtful and said if home capital
is to be opposed he was through with
the Board Of Trade, and was willing
to leave Wheeling. If it be the desire
to wipe out the Wheeling Traction
Company, the contemplated course of
the Board of Trade will accomplish it.
The Wheeling Company stands ready
to encourage any railway company that
desires to enter Wheeling.
Mr.. Handlan replied that Mr.. Hollo-
way made some illusions which he
could not understand. He disclaimed
any hidden purpose in the bill.
Mr.. Holloway stated that the Wheel