The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-14
on Streets of the
Board of Aldermen, in the
Presence of Large Delega-
ton of Night Workers,
Recommends the Passage
of the Owl Car Ordinance.

AIl-night car service for st. Paul Isl
practically assured. The Schurmeier
ordinance requiring the ST. Paul CITY
railway company to operate car over
every line in the city once eyery hour
between midnight and o'clock was
approved by the committee on streets
of the board of aldermen yesterday
afternoon. Not dissenting vote was
recorded.
Any doubt that the committee might
have as to the extent of the demand
for "owl cars" was dispelled by the
size of the crowd in attendance when
the session opened.
There were fully 250 enthusiastic
rooters in attendance, completely fill
ing the council chamber. Their first
act was to present a heavily signed
petition, and this was followed later
by ponderous roll and the informa-
ton that it contained 5000 bona fide
names.
The members of the committee pres
ent yesterday were Aid. Dobner (chair-
MANI, Dahlquist, Hinkens, Holt and
Buschmann. The absentees were Aid,
BantZ and Moriarty.
Would Benefit 1000 Persons.
Statistical information was furnish-
ed by President Thomas, of the Typo
graphical union and this was supple
mented by ]. 9. Devereaux Jr., who
quoted Labor Commissioner O'Donneu
70 the effect that st. Paul had fully
5000 night workers.
President Thomas enumerated the
working forces in the various newspa-
per and printing offices and other oc-
cupations in the city, and said, to his
own knowledge, the number that would
be benefited by "owl cars" would not
be far short of 1000 persons.
Several delegations have visited my
office with reference to this matter,''
interrupted Aid. Dobner, "and some Of
them are opposed to all-night cars, es-
pecially in the residence district They
say the cars will disturb their slum-
bers.''
What about our slumbers during the
daytime?" remarked someone at the
edge of the crowd, which was now
clustered about the committee. 1--WE
have never kicked"
There was a general laugh at this,
but though Aid. Dobner Joined in the
litter that followed, the proposition
was not at all agreeable to him. He
wanted the ordinance amended
why not eliminate the lines in the
purely residence districts?" he sug-
gested.
Wouldn't Stand for Delay.
There was a chorus of noes" on
this proposition, for it meant delay and
possible defeat. Many protested, and
went into lengthy explanation as to
now those benefited by an all-night
service were scattered along every line
in the city, and to discriminate would
be to give the proposed experiment it's
death blow.
The fact that the union depot loop
line was included also furnished an
excuse for amending the measure, but
on call from Aid. Hinlxens, Assistant
Corporation Attorney McDermott came
to the rescue and informed the mem
berS that it was not the letter of the
law that was in question, but the
spirit.
Il don't think there viii be any quib-
bling on the part of this body if the
company fails to operate the union
depot hne,' added Mr.. McDermott.
Discretion can be used in the enforce
ment of the ordinance"
Il move its passage called out Aid.
H1nkens, and with an answering Sec
ond from AID. Holt the votN was call
ed.
Every vote was recorded in favor of
the ordinance, and on the announce
ment by Chairman Dobner, the assem-
bled delegates sent upa acheer that was
deafening. President Thomas, of the
Typogra phical union, followed it with
vote Of thanks from the advocates,
and the crowd left the council cham- /.
ber happy.
Nine Votes Assured.
While an attack may be made on the
ordinance when it reaches the full
board next Tuesday night, there is lit
tie possibility of it's defeat. All of the
committee, with the exception of Aid.
Ban+z and Moriarty, who is sick with
the grip, were present yesterday, and
their votes were recorded in it's favor.
Aid. Moriarty sent word that his vote
could be included also. This makes
six, the necessary majority, and the
votes of Aid. Rohland, Bantz and Corn
ing can be counted on. They have
promised their support
Another stumbling block was fear
ed in the veto of Mayor Smith, but
terday the mayor announced himself
as sasitfied.
"Of course, I will have to give all
sides hearing" he remarked, "but
it does look like there were few that
want the cars. 1 won't give any prom
ises just now. I'll think the matter
over"
1t is taken for granted that Mayor
Smith will sign the measure.
The "owl car" ordinance received it's
inception at the hands of Assembly
man Schurmeier, who pulled it through
his own body by a two-t thirds major
ity. He has since attended every meet
ing of the board at which it was up for
consideration, and assisted the advo-
Gates in strengthening their argument
for mo delay"
The real agitation for all-night cars
was started less than month ago. and
since that time the several unions in
terested, principally the Topographic
cal unions, have been busy marshaling
support. Blanks were distributed, and
by a personal canvass over 5000 names
1varn secured.