The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-03
GETS A. SET BACK.
Things Look Bad for the North
Side Interurban Line.

It is likely that the Manhattan inter-
urban electric railway project is dead.
The promoters refused to accept the
terms of such a franchise as the MEM
bers Of the council in caucus last night
agreed to give, and when the franchise
ordinance was reached in the regular
order of business. Councilman Kutz
sprung surprise by saying:
Mr.. Mayor, l am requested to ask
that this ordinance be placed on file
until such time as it may be called up.
1t is desired that it be not considered
this evening"
rs this what the promoters want?'
asked Mayor Bergundthal-
Il am speaking on their authority,
replied Mr.. Kutz.
Prior to the council meeting, the
members met in Mayor Bergunoth l.al ; ;
office, and behind locked doors agreed
upon the disputed portions of the or
dinance.
It was decided that the company
should be required to give cash bond
of 81 900 to insure the completion OF
the work It was also decided that per
mission to build on the following
streets should be refused: Kansas ave
nue., Jackson, Quincy, Gordon, PARK
Morse. Laurent, Grant and Central ave
nue.. The time limit of 10 p. M to I
a. M for the running Of freight cars,
as accepted by the company, was also
acceded to by the councilmen, but
Mayor Bergundthal indicated strongly
that he was opposed to any 1relghu car
privileges. and would veto the or
dinance if it granted even the restrict
ed right to operate freight cars.
When the ordinance was laid over,
"A. NJ Baird, Samuel Dolman, L. .
Dolnan, and others interested IN inc
Droposed road, all left the council
What is the meaning of this move?"
was asked of L. S. Dolman.
'tOh. 1t means that we simply want
a little more time to consider the Ques-
lions involved" replied Mr. Dolman.
srVvhen will the ordinance be taken
up AGAIN." 1,o,-.,
"It means that YOU people refuse 10
accept the conditions agreed upon III
the caucus, does it not?" was asked
srWhat caucus?" asked Mr.. Dolman
with superlative ignorance. Was there
any agreement? What was it,?
In the caucus, it is stated that the
members of the council were unan-
frnous in the decision to exempt the
streets named from the use OF fhe
company. and also in regard to the
freight hauling compromise Both OF
the First ward councilmen. however
favored releasing the company from
anv bond.
Mayor Bergundthal favored the bond
proposition, and said after the meet
this guarantee. Had we done so we
would have established a dangerous
precedent. These people who are talk
ing about building to Council Grove
would have had the right to demand
exactly the same concessions. and no
one can tell where it would STOP"
Backers Of the Manhattan line are
inclined to attribute their defeat to
the influence of the city railway. F.
G. Kelley, manager of the city rail
way. was present at the meeting last
night. but took no part in it. The in
terurban line people think that the city
railway has such a strong pull with the
members of the council that they were
able to enforce demands with which
the interurban could not comply.
It does not seem unreasonable. how
ever. that the interurban should COM
ply with the requirements demanded
by the council. The bond is comDara-
lively small. and the streets exempted
are ones which the company should
not expect to be allowed to use for
railway purposes. 1t is unfortunate
that the interurban company can not
see its way clear enough to justify it
in posting a security with the city.