The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-06
CONFERENCE Held.
Railway Promoters and Council
Committee in Session.

E. W. Wilson. E B. sunny and L. E.
Myers. the reorganization committee Of
the city railway company. returned yes
terday afternoon to Chicago, after hold
ing two hour session with the ways
and means committee of the city coun-
Gil and explaining to that committee
the position of the city railway in re-
gard to the proposed new 30-year fran
chise. Besides the six members of the
committee. which is composed of Coun-
cilmen Neil, Blossom. Griley, SwendsOn,
Howe and Nellis, there were several
other councilmen in attendance, and
Mayor Bergundthal was also present
part of the time.
While the meeting was entirely in
formal in its nature. and the discussion
was confined to generalities. the com
mittee representing the city railway
manifested a disposition to make com
promises with the city in regard 10 the
terms of the proposed franchise.
What the railway managers would
like as they frankly stated, is a fran
chise as nearly like the present one Of
the city railway as possible, running TOR
so years
that it was the purpose of the company
to invest $500, 600 and possibly S42o,0OO IN
rebuilding the city railway.
I'VE are willing to put up bond,
said Mr.. Myers, to guarantee the e1-
penditure of 100000. but 1t IS my I'M
preston that we viii have to put up
about SIS 600 more than this to accom-
ulish all that we intend to accomplish
No definite propositions or suggestions
were made by the members of the ways
and means committee, but II IS likely
that the committee viii hold another
meeting at which the changes which
the committee desires VIII be discussed
and embodied III amendments to the or
Al afsan
posed.
For one thing the members Of the
committee are certainly opposed to leaV-
ing the franchise in sucn shape that
the right to lay its tracks across the
Kansas avenue bridge.
Mr.. Myers disavowed for his company
anv desire to build across this bridge
but under the old franchise of the conf
Dany it has been a question as to
whether or not the company really had
the right if they chose to exercise it.
To set all doubts at rest, the matter VIII
be made definite in the new franchise
The committee viii also probably
specify what streets in town the COM
pany shall have the right to build on,
and not give a blanket franchise like
the present one.
The chief ground Of contention Is
likely to be in regard to the question o.
compensation for the franchise. Some
of the cOuncilmen viii fight for a pro-
into the city treasury each year a small
per cent. Of the gross income. It is like
ly that the company will oppose any
such move.
On May Il the annual meeting of the
stockholders OF the city railway viii be
held IN Topeka, at which time the COM
Dany will be reorganized and the new
company brought into existence. Some
Of the councilmen say that until this
reorganization is perfected the council
should take no steps toward granting =
franchise. as the company to which it
is proposed to grant the franchise is not
yet in existence. Another meeting OF
the ways and means committee viii
likely be held with Mr.. Wilson, Nj.
Myers and Mr. Sunny when these gen
tlemen are in Topeka for the stock
holders meeting
Mr. Myers stated that one fare of five
cents would be good over the city and
suburban line; that no extra charge
would be made to Ninewood. but trans
fers would be issued therefor from any
part of the city
The committee will hold another meet
ing Thursday evening