Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1901-06-28
TWO SIDES
To the Questions of Propo sed
Franchise.

The New Dominion Talks with Com
sentative and Level Headed Citizen
He Reviews the Situation CaresaI-
~ and Without Prejudice Modilica-
lions needed Ia Ordinances.
There is much in terest being taken
in The proposed ordina noes giving
franchises to the Morgantown Elec-
trio Light and Power Company
and the Union Water aud Gas Com
pany which are now before council.
These ordinances were introduced
nearly month ago and they win
come up for discussion at council
meeting on Monday night Ia order
to place before its readers some of
tho facts in relation to these ordi-
nanees the New DOMINION interview
cd one of the oldest and most con-
sentative men in the town on tue
subject His remarks Will be found
worthy Of thoughtful consideration.
"Morgantown Is living beyond It's
income he began. "We are like
many people We want to put on
airs hnt we haven't the money with
which to do it. The income Of this
town each year is $4,000 With
the expenditures we have now this
leaves but q margin Of III 500 for
streets and alleys and all incidental
expenses.
.'In the fixed charges that we
have is included four thousand dol
lars interest on our bonds and the
money set apart for our sinking fund.
In view OF these facts am opposed
to giving away valuable rights which
the city has in its control
There are two sides to this ques-
ton as there are To many others.
The corporations will do much to
build up the city. They have done
much to build. it up. But so have
the people who have built houses,
SO does our University and all that.
This however does not give them the
inherent right to get something for
nothing from the town
Another thing to which object
is the length OF time for which the
franchises are asked Fifty years
Is Q long time. Many things may
happen in that time / am in favor
Of the ordinances being cut down as
to time Thsre is no clear reason
why they should run SO long,
ITO show some OF the things that
may be done by corporation which
has received substantial favors from
US the B II O may be cited They
have taken possession Of two streets
in South Morgantown. One OF them
parallels the river and the other one
crosses it to the river. When we
wanted to run our sewers to the riv-
er we were met with q refusal and
had to get down on our knees to get
what righttully belonged to us and
we have not yet gotten it,
The men who are in the compan
les which are as king for franchises
here are good men. They however
state that they are going to try to
interest outside capital especially in
the street car line. What are we to
expect from these people who are
not in sympathy for us and who will
get everything out Of it that there
Is in it? We ought To hedge the
charter about with more restric.
tions than they at present contain.
In the charter tor the street car
line 1t says that no car shall run on
streets less than twenty feet VIDE
The cars are eight feet wide. Ii
they run In the center they leave
but six feet on either side. Now
this isn't wide enough for the pass
age OF wagons and carriages. This
must be modified. We must not all
low Them to take any and all streets
that they wish
Council should go slow in. these
matters. They soould take care of
the rights of our citizens and they
should also give the companies what
is right and proper, To do this they
should investigate carefully and vote
as they think right irrespective Of
personal feeling in the matter