The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-11-08
THE DIFFERENT CHARTERS.

The charters granted at different times to street
railway companies extend over period of nearly =
forty years
The first charter giving 2 street railway com.
pany authority to operate road within the terri
tory which is now the city OF Scranton, was
granted in 1865, known ''rhe Peoples Stree:
Railway Company OF Luzcrne County,
This charter is a year or more older than the
city of Scranton, and the powers granted to the
corporation. as understand it, are still in force.
They had the right, not only 10 carry passengers.
but freight, along such routes and streets as they
might desire to use and 10 lay one or more tracks
and to equip the road in such manner as might
be thought by them advisable.
In 1867 another street railway company was in
corporatcd, known as ''The Scranton and ProNi-
lcrcc Passenger Railway" This charter required
that before using the streets the railway company
should obtain consent from the borough councils
to Use the streets in the different boroughs in
which they intended to build their road. You
will recall that this charter is also older than the
city OF Scranton. Ii they obtained consent from
the boroughs we have no knowledge of it now.
There at least, appears to be reservati ion
which would prove Of advantage to us at this
time.
In May, 1865 these two companies merged, and
We find that was the only street car system
which the city had until 1856. when charter
WIS granted to the Scranton Suburban company,
under the provisions Of the Act Of May 90, 1875.
On the 23rd day oi December. 1856. a charter
was granted to the ''Nay AugCrosstown Railway
Company under the same Act Of assembly: And
on the elst day OF May, 1850, the Scranton SUI
burban Railway company and the Nay Aug Cross
town Railway company merged and operated their
road under the provisions of that agreement
On the aOth day Of May, 1889, the Scranton Pas.
songer Railway was incorporated, under the Act
oi the 10th of March, 1879.
I'm nj October
Passenger Railway company was incorporated un-
lcf the Act oi May 1ith. lssa
On the 2sth day 81 January 1898, the Scranton
and Carhondac Traction company was incorpor.
ated, unde: the Act OF the 22nd day OF March,
lssi.
on the Goth day OF July, 1893, the Scranton and
ritston Traction company was incorporated, I'M
der the Act of March 22nd, 1857
On the 18th day Of July, 1891, the I.lckawanna
Valley Traction company was incorporated under
the Act OF March 22nd, 1857.
On the 21tl day oi March, lS05 the Scranton
and Abingdon Street Railway company was incor.
poiled, under the AT Of Nth day OF May, 1850
THEY WERE LEASED.
Al oi these railway companies mentioned, and
several others Incorporated under different Acts OF
assembly, With tcrmini in ldzelne county, were,
by divers agreements, leased Tor the purpose Of
operation, I, the scranton Traction compasy
l.
lss7, which Was motor or power company, for
operating passenger railway by cable, electrical
aud other means, which said Act WAS approved
ON the end day OF March, 1857.
The power company continued TO operate lie
railroads built under authority oi the different
charters until al OF tie ahoyc.nimed charters be.
came the properly by merger OF the Peoples
Street Railway company of Luzcrue county. and
which company, by decree oi the court oi common
pleas of LIcliwsnna county had It's name changed
from The Peoples Street Railway Company oi
Lulernc oounty' 10 the Scranton Railway Com.
pany,"
The charters OF these different companies make
no provisions in terms as 10 the movement of rars.
The regulation Of the movement Of the cars upon
their tracks was lett entirely to the companies
themselves. In fact, can find but agreement
where any Of Ihe railway companies agreed 10 nun
cars over their tracks at regular intervals. In
the articles OF agreement between the Peoples
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ICortinuel on Page $.