Los Angeles herald., 1905-08-25
TELLS WHY FREIGHT CARS
RUN IN CITY STREETS
TRAFFIC MANAGER M'MlLLAN
GOES INTO DETAILS
Petition Of Voters League Brings Out
the Explanation That Glendale
Franchise Specifically Empowers
Huntington Line to Garry Fruit

Traffic officials of the Pacific Electric
railway charge that the Voters league,
in it's petition to the city council in re-
gard to the tenders on street cars and
the violation of law in carrying freight
through the streets of the city, is MAX
ing mountain out of mole hill.
Certain newspapers in their effort
to fill space, with an utter disregard
of the truth" said Traffic Manager ].
Mcmillan of the Pacific Electric yes
terday, "are largely responsible for the
unjust agitation which is now going on.
''Here is the truth concerning the
transfer of freight over the streets of
Los Angeles. We run one car in the
over the Glendale line. But for the
favor done the fruit growers and truck
gardeners along that line one car could
easily carry all the traffic which comes
into the city from that direction. In
the franchise for the Glendale road 1t
is specifically stated that it is empow-
cred to transfer fruit and vegetables.
Two Freight Cars Daily
I'VE run two cars day from San
Pedro to Los Angeles. A part of the
distance we have a franchise to carry
freight. For small distance within
the city limits we do not have such
privilege. Whenever the parties who
are interested in this ask us to cease
we shall be pleased to do so, but not
at the request of certain calamity
howlers who are not familiar with con-
ditions.
"Our freight cars enter the city over
our own private right of way. The two
San Pedro cars and the two Glendale
cars are the only ones to use the streets
of the city. From the contentious of
certain parties, those who are not cog
nizant of the truth are led to believe
that we are continually carrying freight
traffic over every line within the city
limits.
"In regard to tenders, as Mr.. Hunt
ington has said, whenever we can find
a fender which will give larger protec-
tion to life and limb than that which
is now in use we shall be pleased to
equip our cars with it. In the tabula-
tion of accidents on our lines by a cer-
tain paper all are given as happening
within the city limits, when in reality
many of the accidents occur in tha
country along our private right of way.
There the cars run at high rate of
speed. The building up Of the many
suburbs of Los Angeles. 1t is granted,
is largely responsible to the rapid
means of communication provided by
the Huntington lines.
Some Tenders Dangerous
SHOULD we adopt a fender such as
some persons unfamiliar with conditions
have proposed the chances are 1t would
double up when 1t came in contact with
an obstruction, causing the wreck of
the car, outside the city where our
cars reach high momentum a person
who is struck is. as a rule. almost in
stantly killed by the impact We have
found that the pilot gives the best pro-
lection to all concerned.
''Mr Huntington is citizen OF Los
Angeles with large investments Of capi-
tai in and around the city and as such
it seems to me that he is entitled to the
same fair treatment that Is given the
smaller tradesman. He does not ask
for more"
His Errand Cost $40