The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-10-23

story II seems that these are the leaolng
points: s-s
1. The new (Traction) Company says it
does not want to build third track. and
has tried to avoid it by propositions for
an arrangement with the old Company.
The new Company offers today to stop
ell work on the Avenue and to pay for
restoring it to its condition on Tuesday.
II use of the present tracks can
be secured on tolersble terms.
It declares that 1t is entitled, under its
franchise from the city. to connect its
two lines by tracks across the Avenue
and the Square. and.that 1t is not will
ing to undertake litigation for the use Of
existing tracks which may entail de-
lay Of year or more.
2. The old Company montgomery
Street Railway claims that no serious
proposition has been made to it, and that
the new Company has not earnestly at
tempted, to make an amicable arrange
ment; that it has made agreements with
the new Company as to crossings else
where in the city, and that it is ready
to make further agreements as to over
head wires on Dexter Avenue.
3. The old Company will not consent
to crossings on Dexter Avenue or Court
Square, and will fight that undertaking
to the end.
From this last point, it seems clear
that the real policy Of the old Company
is to throw all the distractions and de-
lays possible in the way of the new Com
pany, 30 far as getting across Dexter
Avenue and Court Square is concerned.
II this surmise is correct, then it is most
likely that the old Company does not
want to agree to any sort of an arrange
ment about the joint use of tracks on
Dexter Avenue and Court Square. That
would be human nature and business,
anwhow, so far as the Old Company is
concerned.
1t is also clear that the City officials
have not made any very active, vigorous.
substantial efforts towards forcing the
two Companies together on the Dexter
Avenue tracks. The Council delays an
ordinance to that end. The Mayor sees
nothing for him to do. The Chief of Po-
lice sees no nuisance being committed.
the new Traction Company. and the City
has no legal representative at this juno
ture to look after the peoples interest
solely, irrespective of the interests Of
either of the two street car lines.
The public does not want the Avenue
marred. Property holders along the north
side of the, Avenue do not want the third
track so near them. because 1t will in
terfers with retail trade. sand tend to
lower rents. The maze of trolley wires
and cross guy wires for two systems will
be a nuisance and a menace to public
safety. There is no necessity Tor third
track. There are State statutes pro-
viding for joint use of the existing
tracks.
Yet behold the whole city government
lying supine with their fingers in their
mouths, claiming to be bound hand and
foot by franchises given the two COM
panies-outright gifts now conflicting so
far as the public welfare is concerned!
1t is a pretty state of affairs. Is there
no remedy in the hands of the people?
Can't they bring pressure on the city
officials to find relief? Where there is a
will. there is usually a way. The powers
of a municipality are very great. The
possibilities of the laws delay are usu-
ally incalculable Why can't the people
get the benefit of some OF these powers
and possibilities in this juncture? Are
there no strong brains and wills outside
the two street car systems control avail
able for the peoples benefit? There is a
brilliant opportunity just now for some
official, for some citizen, for some law
yer. to serve the people and to make
reputation.
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