Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-06-03
FINALLY
Vacated Part Of
Factory St.
-Four Of the COunciImen
Changed Votes,
After Listening to Ex-
plantations.
Some "Hot Shot" Poured Into
Council by Mr.. Rooms.


the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., in ex-
change for land for the extension of
Prune ST., and $1,000 toward building
bridge across the Little Cuyahoga
at River St, was passed finally by
Council Monday night.
This legislative act, however, was
not accomplished without Il great deal
of argument and explanation. The
Street committee reported fayorably
on the proposition of the rubber COM
pany, but Messrs. Wilhelm, Ormes, Hill
and Warner voted no, claiming they
did not understand the ordinance well
enough to vote upon 1t intelligently.
Mr.. Koons, of the committee, objected
to their attitude. "What is the use of
having committees if you have no con-
fidence in their judgment?"' asked.
I'VE examined the proposition careful
ly, and regard it as good thing for
the city. We went over the ground.
some of us twice, and it seems that
our unanimous report should have
some weight"
He also remarked that Council, for
more than a year, had shown disposl.
ton to retard the progress Of manu-
featuring industries, by holding up ex.
tensions, whenever possible. Council
has not even met them half way" he
continued. "Instead, it seems to re,
gard them with suspicion-at any rate,
it's action on the surface appears to
take cold water attitude toward
every proposition. The manufacturers
come to us in good faith, with business
propositions for. the good Of the pub
lie, as well as themselves. We do an
injustice to the city every time we fail
to grasp something which will result
in benefit to the city, and we certainly
know our business men and manufac-
turers we'll enough to admit that they
have the interests Of the city at heart,
as well as ourselves"
Mr.. Wilhelm stated that he believed
nothing unreasonable was required in
the request, that the Goodyear Tire &
Rubber Co. made it plain what
it meant to do, and would deliver a
deed for its property as soon as the city
decided over the property desired by
the company. Moreover, he declared
that the Street committee had nc
grounds for feeling offended at having
its report rejected. "These are mat
ters we have right to discuss" he
said. "Our votes are asked, and we
should be given opportunity to inquire
into every detail. I never understood
that a favorable report by committee
was the same as passing an ordinance,
and shall continue to ask questions
on every matter I don't understand
thoroughly, and will not vote for any
thing unless believe it will be for the
good of the city,"
Messrs. Warner, Ormes and Hill
stated that they did not have a thor
ough understanding of the proposition.
but were willing to vote in favor of it,
if they were satisfied, after explana-
ton, that it was a good thing.
Solicitor Esgate explained that the
company was under bond to deed cer-
tain land to the city as soon as it re.
ceived a certified certificate that the
vacating ordinance had been passed. In
| fact, the company made a contract
with the City Commissioners to ex-
change land and to contribute $1,5OO to.
ward bridge in extending Prune st.
The company desires portion of Fac
tory st. to enable it to build an exten-
sion to it's plant. 1t was ready to
build the extension, but discovered
that the legislation vacating the street
had not been passed completely, mas
much as the agreements of the Board
had not been confirmed by Council
Then there was rush to have the or
dinance passed. The company, wants
to begin work on the extension at
once, and was very much interested
in having the ordinance passed Mon.
day night.
Explanation were made by Attor.
ney Geo. w. Rogers, representing the
company, and Mr.. Frank A. Seiberling,
general manager. The latter said that
the company had no desire to deal with
the city in any other than fair man.
ner. Eve believe we are dealing with
you generously, he said, "and we are
anxious to build our extension as soon
as possible. II will! increase our capa-