Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-12-26
FOR A STREET CAR LINE
Attorney X, Poole Asks a Franchise
Of the City Council
SPECIAL MEETING CALLED
City Officials Receive Proposition from Penn
syIyana Capitalists, and Appoint Com
mIllee 10 investigate

millee 10 Investigate
What NAV develop INFO the first
step towards the establishment Of a
system Of electri3 trolley lines With
Martinsburg as tho central point, was
taken Thursday, when Mayor Evans
and the members of the city council
assembled iii special session to receive
proposition from Attorney K Poole.
who representes syndicate Of Penn.
sylvania capitalists seeking franchise
TO construct and operate street rail
way over the principal througbfares
of this city.
Mr. POOLS proposition was embed
led IN writing, and in subsistence it
was d petition for u franchise for the
proposed road, sl5je1s to the usual
restrictions AMI conditions governing
such grants The petitioner request
ed that committee OK councIlmen
be appointed to meet him in con FER
ence for an exhaustive discussion of
the proposition, with IL view Of .arriv.
ing at some definite conclusion. 4
resolution was Introduces authorizing
the appointment OF the committee,
AMI Mayor Evans selected the follow
ing gentlemen to represent the city /:
Councilmen Emmert, Kline. Barry,
Schill and Thompson.
This COMMITTEES viii hold q c7us II
ance with Mr.. Poole, ana alter thor
ough discussion will report back to
the coune az its next regular meet
) ing.
Nj Poole was seen at his Office by
a Representative Of Tue Evening World
ana talked freely about the plans OF
the CAPITALISTS whom he represented.
While be would not disclose the name
of his clients, he stated that they
were residents of pennsvlvania, aud
that they were practical and experinc-
cd street railway men who we're pre-
pared to establish a system here pro-
yiding the franchise aud the restrict
ions " ere reasonable ones, and such
as were not likely to prohibit pro-
iitable venture.
The gentlemen whoei | represent. "
said Mr. Poole, ARE, in measure.
at least, familiar with the situation
here, as | have been in communication
with them for sons bims past. be-
lieve that the project involves much
that would be Of benefit to Martins
burg. in as much as it is the inter-
tion OF my clients to not Only operate
a first-class system in this city, but to
extend il into adjacent territory. with
Shepherdstown rs the objective point.
The intermediate points to be touchd
would, of course. be determined de-
finietly bv the gentlemen after the
primary plans are brought to sue
cesful issue. but it is within the range
of probability that the line would be
extended as for as Charles Town,
touching two or three towns in addi.
tiop to Shepherdstowr,'
''2lle project con emil It's line
through the fruit belt. and The value
of this 20 Martin burg can be seen at
a glance. Such n line conld he made
of immense value to the business in
tefests here, as it would make this
point easily accessible TO thousands of
people who now find it movement to
come here except on rare occasions. y
Would Marinsburg capital be inter
esfed in the venture?" was asked.
"That would be mattor tor local
capital to determine replied Mr..
Poole tine gentlemen Ahom / Ie-
present wonll rot dopend UPON local
capitsl, as thew axe Gble TO construct
the system without a dollar invested
BY people here Nor would the disin-
cliAntion Of the Deonle to subscribe
for stock prevent tie line from being
built This does not mean, Of course,
that the local capitl would have no
opportunity 10 invest if il cared to do
so, for it is the intention of the
company to invite it. In fact, local
capital would be welcomed. and it is
believed that reasonable amount of
the stock could he disposed of in
this city
Mr., Poole is a firm believer in tine
project, and while he admitted that
the construction of the system was
not foregone conclusion, vet dis.
position Oh slie ua9t If the council
men II grant reasonable franchise
Will make it almost a certainty.
HossG PELL ON IcE.