Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-04-14
FRANCHISE GRANTED.

At the me ting of the city council
held Frlda. evening the question of
granting a .nchise TO the WiScon sin
River Vale Railway and Power Co..
giving that mpany the right to build
electric line IN this city, was again
opened, AL upon report of special
committee, 70 whom it had been re-
ferred, was adopted, practically unani-
mously. Messrs Neal Brown and
q. ID. Jones were present in the inter
ests OF the corporation, and answered
any and all questions relative to she
measure There was but little dis
cussion aud few alterations made in the
original petition as previously sub
ml,ted, and the prevailing opinion was
that if we are TO have public improve
ments Of this nature, such propositions
as was that night before the council
must not be delayed, and that senti
ment was manifested in the vote.
The granting of /, perpetual franchise
had been looked upon with disfavor by
many, if not majority of tax payers.
and TO overcome this feeling the life of
this company's privileges has been linn
tied To thirty five years, which appears
to meet the appreciation of corporation
and people
BY the terms of the petition the pro-
moters, to make the ordinance hold
good, must begin work within eighteen
months after It's passage, and prose
cute such work with all due speed and
diligence, and shall have ut least p
miles of road completed in the city
within two years. Ia conversation
with Hon Neal Brown Saturday morn
ing he informed us that negotiations
are now in progress for the survey of
be 1.cr1fo a,sI - will ha b17f short
time before civil engineers will be in
the field The company has been
granted the anne rights by each town
in Marathon and Portage counties
through which the roal VIII traverse,
from Wausau to Stevens Point, and also
one town SCs'1h of Stevens Point has
given privileges to build. The line
would have been surveyed out ere this,
but was deferred awaiting action of the
several towns Whether any action
will be taken toward construction work
the present season we have been unable
to learn, for the reason that the pro-
moters have not settled upon any delin-
ite course, but it is possible and highly
probable that something will be done.
The franchise as granted Friday night
is very moderate, and should not con-
tlict with any of the city's interests
unless 1t be as REGARDS the use OF
bridges. In the construction of the,
road the track shall be four feet, eight
and one-half inches in width, and shall
be laid to couform with the established
grade of the streets In tearing up
pavements or macadam the company
shall be liable for the expense of again
placing streets in serviceable condition,
aud shall cover its ties with plank.
Right of way is given to hose carts or
fire engines in going to fire, and fire.
men are given tie right to cut down
any poles or wires which may interfere
with their work at a fire, and where
hose is laid across the tracks the com
pany shall bridge over same or stop
cars After sunset all cars shall be pro-
vlded with signal lights Police and
tremen, in the eXerciSt Of thehs duty,
may ride free, and not over five cents
shall be haged for one continuous
ride one way 10 any part OF the city;
children un1 ten bait fare; children
under five, when accompanied by
parent or nardian, free. The dam
or dams iiich shall furnish The
motive pt er viii perhaps be
located AT the time the sulves
is made I ne officials in Marathon
and Portage counties have made the
construction Of the road possible 50 far
as within their means and now it is up
to the promoters