The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-09-29
FOR FIFTY YEARS TO COME.
Mr.. Lester Says Effect of Street Rail-
way Report Would BE Felt.


Editor Morning News: Every citi-
zen of Savannah, no matter how old
or how young, or no matter in what
station of life, feels aggrieved and dis
appointed at the report of the Commit
tee of Streets and Lanes on the rail-
road franchise to be adopted at the
next meeting of Council, as every
thing that hurts a city must affect
every individual in it, more or less,
and this report, if adopted, will be felt
by the citizens of Savannah for fifty
years to come. The sad part of this
whole affair is that the action of City
Council in this matter is entirely
against the interest of Savannah as
well as against the wishes of her peo-
pie. The matter should not rest as it
is because citizens of a community
have certain rights that should not
be trampled on by public officials and
the prohibitory measures of this re-
port is a direct slap in the face of
this entire community.
/ have shown in former comniunica-
tions that there has not been single
excuse given so far by any member
of Council and 1 am sorry that it is
that this matter has had at the hands
of Council, and I am sorroy that it is
necessary for me to repeat some of
them, but / do so In order to show the
people of Savannah that the interest
of our city is not being properly cared
for. The Mayor of the city who has
sworn to protect our interest mas made
several statements in connection with
this franchise that needs public ex-
PLANTATION which 1 have repeatedly
tried to have him make.
In the beginning of this controversy
he stated that he was opposed to my
road, and L accused him of being inter-
ested in the Parsons System, which he
denied. 1 then asked him to explain
his relationship with Mr.. Collins and
the new line now being operated to
Thunderbolt by the Parsons System.
Mr.. Collins stated that this road was
purchased by himself, and not for Mr..
Parsons. and we find now that Mr..
Parsons is operating this road, and
when called upon the Mayor, who is
bondsman for Mr.. Collins faithful
performance of his part of this con-
tract to show who furnished the money
to buy this road, whether ii was Mr..
Collins, Mr.. Myers or Mr.. Parsons, and
he declined to do so.
The Mayor could easily have come
out with Mr.. Parsons, and made
statement that this road was really
purchased for Mr.. Collins; that Mr..
Parsons had no interest in it whatever,
and as bondsman for Mr.. Collins that
and, that the Mayor of our city was act
ing in the interest of Mr.. Collins rail-
road, and as Mayor was interested in
the manner in which the streets were
to be disposed of. i also asked the
Mayor to state when he sold his inter
est in the Parsons System, and TO
whom, and to say in whose name u
is now being held.
These questions also have not been
answered. The Mayor was reported as
saying that l was not sincere in try
ing to get this franchise. When ii was
a matter of record that / offered to
give 5000 bond for the completion of
this road. The Mayor now says that
I have been offered $4,000 for my shell
road franchise, and now l want him
to give me his authority, and then /
want him to explain to the people of
Savannah whether Savannah would be
injured should l bring an enterprise
here amounting TO several hundred
thousand dollars and even make $4,000
myself From the Mayors standpoint
he would smother every enterprise that
would help Savannah in order to pre-
vent some citizen from making little
money.
have said before that this was not
a question between d. 3. Lester and
the Mayor and Aldermen but one be-
tween the Mayor and Aldermen and
the people Of Savannah and these ref
erences made by the Mayor only shows
his weakness and his method OF trying
I to evade the real issue.
! Another one of the aldermen has stat
I ed that / refused to give up one mile
of the White Bluff road for the extern
sion of Bull street. When IT is also
a matter of record that / offered to
give UP a mile of the road for Bull
street extension, provided the franchise
was granted. The same alderman has
stated that I declined the franchise
that has already been rendered me, and
refers to two streets that were offered
without any connection at either end.
In fact. two dead lines that this same
alderman knew full well when rendered
would not be accepted by any set Of
sane men who had an ounce OF bust
/ ness sense.
The price put on this franchise j.
simply another means for Offering thu
present railroad monopoly our whole
town. as he could afford 70 pay more
TO keep out outside competition than
any one win pay to come In at this
date and take what Savannah has Il
offer. This ls a most unfortunate stat
~ affairs for the city OF Savannah
az Mr.. Parsons has never been de
yeloper for either our city or county,