The Topeka state journal., 1902-03-27
v1NEwooD CLOSING CHAPTERS

The Vinewood park franchise will
have another inning tonight at the
council chambers. From the attend
ance at the meeting last night it is evil
dent that the subject has developed
considerable interest. Many people now
think that the scheme is a ridiculous
one Promises never before came so
easy from any projected enterprise.
Agreements on the side were also freely
offered.
1t will be noted, however, that any
provision to put a section in the ordi-
nance which shall make the franchise
null and void should there be any SELL
out or traffic arrangement directly or
indirectly with any Kansas City line,
is strenuously objected to by the pro-
moters. With a naughty, superior air
they resent any efforts to tie up the
franchise itself to a Vinewood and
Highland Park enterprise.
There are some things which are not
exactly ridiculous, they are amusing.
a petition was presented last evening
signed by a large number of business
men, Isn't 1t hard to get petitions sign
ed in Topeka2 We presume if a petit
tion were circulated asking that this
paper be suppressed and its entire staff
exiled. that many people in their haste
would sign the document. A great many
viii sign a petition favoring a certain
man or project and then write a letter
or send message to counteract the pc
tition.
We have no doubt that many people
signed the Kansas City, Vinewood &
Topeka S150.00O electric line, who thought
they were helping a good thing along
and who would now like to get their
n off fhnf
could do so without breaking into a
burglar proof safe.
Some of the misguided friends of the
enterprise, however good their inten-
tions, are mistaken in a part of their
premises. We have no time today to
dispose of all of the questions growing
out of this subject and we hope this is
the last chapter of the story
1t might be well. however. to say to
those who assert that a third or fourth
rail can be laid on the right of way of
the City Railway company. that the city
company has this right of way and it
might object to a Kansas City or a
Vinewood Park company endangering
the lives of our people by any head-end
or rear-end collisions growing out of
any counter-currents or additional
wires being alongside of the present
ones.
1t might also be pertinent, in passing.
that the statement made at the council
meeting last night by one of the at
torneys employed to secure this fran
chise. to the effect that the Winner
company had abandoned it's right of
way over the roads of Wyandotte
county in connection with the Leaven-
worth-Kansas City electric line, to
state the following fact.
Mr.. Winner was never more active in
regard to the extension of electric lines
between Kansas City. Mo-, and Kansas
points than he is today; that if he aban-
doned any roadways in Wyandotte county
he did so because he had been annoyed
by rules and regulations and found it
simpler and better to buy right of way
over private lands, which he has done.
but which he can hardly do at terminals.
If the citizens of Topeka think Mr.. Win
ner. or any others trying to secure better
facilities for enticing people to Kansas
City. Mo, are asleep. they will themselves
one day awake to the fact that they were
lying down to peaceful slumber while the
other men were wide awake f-> Il,