Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-05-05
OHIO SIDE TROLLEY LINE
IS Seeking FRANCHISES.
A NEW COMPANY THAT PROPOSES
TO CONNECT STEUBENVILLE
AND MARTINS FERRY.
ASKS RIGHTS OVER ROADS.
HAS BEEN INCORPORATED AND
is READY TO BEGIN ACTIVE
OPERATIONS.
Special to the Register.

Spec1dl 10 the register.
STEUBENVILLE, Ohio, May At
comes on the best of authority tnat an
electric car line backed by the strong
est syndicate operating in the Ohio val
ley. will be built this summer from Mar
tins Ferry north, following tie line Of
the county road along the river to
Steubenville, if application for right Of
way, now en- file with the County Com
missioners, is acted upon favorably.
Attorney ~. 3. Francis, of Martins
Ferry, has filed with the Commissioners
a petition asking for a franchise along
the county road from the Jefferson
county line on the south to Brilliant,
anu If favorable action is taken the
same party will Immediately ask for
similar franchise between Brilliant and
siteubenville along the county road,
which means that the road will reach
'Steubenville by the very shortest line
via the river route, making ten min
ute run from Mingo to Steubenville
1t is also authoritatively stated that
the syndicate represented by Mr.. Fran
CIS has dill cduy All duScu II dlilS SOulCC-
lions with the lines rum 4ng from Mar
tins Ferry into Wheeling, and connect
ing with the towns of Kirkwood, West
Wheeling, Bellaire and Bridgeport on
this side, and on the line north will
pass through Burlington, Eorkville,
Rush Run, Portland Station, Warren
ton, Brilliant, Mingo Junction and
thence to Steubenville.
Speaking of this end of the proposed
line the informant said that in entering
Steubenville the new road would prob
ably, after passing the LaBelle iron
works. cut across to the dump and
come up Fifth street, thus giving the
citizens of that thoroughfare the ad-
vantages of street car line now en-
joyed by the Third and Fourth stree;
people.
Inquiry at the Commissioners Office
to-day ELECTED the information that the
petition filed by Mr.. Francis states that
a majority of property owners along the
road from the Jefferson county line on
the south to Brilliant have given their
right of way consent, and the petition
further says tha. the syndicate repre-
scented by the petitioner is ready, imme-
diately upon the granting OF the fran
chise by the Commissioners, to
File IL Bond in Any Sum
as a pledge of good faith for the con-
struction of the road within a stated
period.
The Steubenville Mingo & Ohio Val
ley Traction Company have a similar
petition pending before the Commits
sioners for a right of way below Bril-
liant, and it is likely that both petit ons
will be taken UP and acted upon before
long, although Commissioner Brown
stated that day had not been set.
The powers conferred by the statutes
gives the Commissioners ,Ae right to
make such grants and leaves it to their
discretion whether they will or not But
if the public interests are best subserYed
by granting both petitions there is lit
tie doubt but that the Commissioners
will grant both companies the right of
way, which would be right and proper.
A person who complied with all the re-
quirements OF law might appear and
ask for franchise. Yet. if the Board
were of the opinion that such person
did not intend 20 build, or for any other
reason, they may, in the exercise of
their broad discretion reject his appIi-
cation. Boards of Commissioners, act
Ing in their legislative capacity, as they
do when granting franchise, are only
limited in the exercise of their powers
by their own conscience an a proper
regard for the rights and citizens along
the highways which they control.
The personnel of the new syndicate
rapping at our gates for admission
could not be learned, but it is given out
that it is the strongest syndicate inter-
ested in the Ohio vaney. and the fact
they stand ready to give bond of $780,
90 or any other sum as a guarantee of
good faith is an indication that they
mean business.