The St. Louis Republic., 1901-01-24
Condition Imposed in Amendments
to the Suburban Bill in the
City Council.
BUT SALE IS NOT PROHIBITED.
Committee, However, Will Advise
Insertion of Restrictive Clause
Franchises of the Three
Lines Extended Until 1850.

Important amendments to the Suburban
franchise extension bill. which is to be re-
turned to the City Council tomorrow after
noon by the Committee on Railroads, pre-
scribe that the railway company must al
ways remain competitive system and that
it cannot acquire by lease or purchase the
properties or privileges of any other line
in the city, excepting those designated in
the bill.
The measure. as referred to the commit
tee. had no clause prohibiting the subur-
ban Railway Company. after obtaining
complete control of the MeIamec River and
FiCrissant Avenue Electric Railways from
selling or leasing out to the ST. Louis
Transit Company. or any other company,
the entire consolidation The committee
however. has decided to prevent such con-
tingencies in the future, IL possible. and
accordingly will advise the insertion of a
restrictive clause in the bill
This clause was drafted by City Counsel
o. Schnurmacher. 1t provides that the St
Louis and Suburban Railway. inclusive OF
Its federated divisions, shall continue to
remain an independent. competitive COM
Parry. If at any time negotiations a-o ef-
fected for the disposal of the company >
stock, or for the delegation of its functions
TO any other concern, the deed itself shall
constitute an ipse facto forfeiture OF the
franchises.
Another amendment of much significance
contemplates the elimination of a sectional
phrase authorizing the Suburban TO become
possessed of the rights. privileges and fran
crises OF any other road in operation in
the city. The committee has concluded not
TO prevent the consolidation OF the Suburb
an with the Meramec River and Florissant
Avenue Electric Railways. as they are now
practically one system, but il is proposed
to deny the corporation the power to Sc
cure the franchises and rights of other
railway companies.
Descriptions of the rights-of-way to he
granted occasionally provide for the con-
structiOn of tracks on streets now occupied
by st. Louis Transit Company divisions.
Wherever this conflict occurs in the bill
the phrases will be SO amended as to permit
the Suburban TO operate on these streets.
but over the Transit tracks. The object of
this amendment is to avoid the laying OF
more than two tracks on any street.
Despite these projected amendments the
Suburban would procure valuable rights
and privileges by the passage of the bill
and it is generally conceded that the hill
will have a comparatively easy course
through the Municipal Assembly. The fran
chises of the Suburban and its two Oh
visions would be extended to July !, 1880.
period of fifty years, making all expire
on the same date and allowing the Subur-
ban franchise sixteen years longer life. In
addition, the company would procure ca
tensive rights-of-way.
As stated previously in The Republic. the
committee will also offer an amendment
for the erasure of the clause to grant
double-track right-of-way through Forest
Park. The bill and the amendments will
be reported to the City Council tomorrow
afternoon