Smyrna times., 1905-09-13
WOODLAND BEACH TROLLEY
GRANTED LIBERAL FRANCHISE
GIVEN RIGHT OF WAY THROUGH CLAYTON
SMYRNA AND ALL OF KENT COUNTY.

Enthusiasm Runs High 10 Favor of Trolley and
the Question Is Up to the Smyrns, Kent
County and Delaware Bay Traction Co.
The Smyrna Town Council in ses-
sion Friday night by unanimous vote,
granted the Smyrna, Kent County and
Delaware Bay Traction Company,
who propose to run a trolley line from
Clayton to Woodland Beach, the right
of way to construct and operate troll
ley line through the whole length of |
Commerce Street The meeting was |
characterized by more than usual in
terest. Charles Howell LEI eyre, ESQ.,,
counsel for said traction company and |
E. ii. Click, Esq, the chief promoter,
appeared on behalf of the Traction
Company. Council did not jump into
the matter heedlessly but took plenty
of time for deliberation and after At
torney LeFevre had addressed them
and explained the ordinance he had
drafted, both he and Mr.. Click were
piled with many questions concerning
the construction of the track through
Commerce Street, which resulted in
several changes before the ordinance
was put upon its final passage. One
important point was made by Council
and that was the pick should not be
dug into Commerce Street or any con-
struction done until the tracks had
been laid from Clayton to the town
limits. This was finally agreed to aud
made the tenth article of the ordinance.
The other provisions of the ordinance
are similar to those discussed last year
when Council granted right of way to
the Middletown trolley which forfeited
its right by failing to build the line
within the time prescribed. In the
case of the Woodland Beach trolley,
the line must be completed and in op-
Grafton by October /, 1906, otherwise
they will forfeit their franchise through
Smyrna. In the laying of tracks Coun-
Gil was particular that they should be
laid to grade so as to interfere in no
way with traffic or the passing to and
fro of teams. In fact the tracks must
be laid and kept in such repair as shall
he approved by Council.
Proposed Route From Clayton to Smyrna.
The proposed route from Clayton to
Smyrna will begin on Smyrna Avenue,
Clayton, near the Clayton railroad
station and proceed thence out Smyrna
Avenue and around by the farm oi
Levi Anthony, where it will make q
turn and come in straight through
''Spruance City" by way of "Flat Iron
Point" to Commerce Street. From
Smyrna and Smyrna Landing it will
go by the regular Woodland Beach
road via Severson's Church to the
marsh and instead of taking the marsh
road will construct a tressel, a safer
and surer way of transit. In the event
of the Smyrna Branch being discon
tinued of which there does not seem
to be an iota of possibility, the troll
ley promoters have agreed to meet al
trains and transfer all passengers anC
baggage the same as is now beini
done by the Smyrna branch. Th
rate of speed through Smyrna is liml
ted to seven miles an hour and tn
fare not more than five cents per head
When the features of the ordinanc
were thoroughly discussed Council
man Robinson moved its final adoption
which was seconded by Councilma
Hudson.
Clayton Grants Trolley Right of Way.
The Clayton Town Council in ses
sion Monday evening granted th
Smyrna, Kent County and Delawar
Bay Traction Company the right {
way to lay, maintain and operate
track on Smyrna avenue from th
eastern boundry Of the town to poir
on said street at or near the Delawal
Railroad. With the exception of a
ticle 10 and the reducing of the rate
speed from seven miles an hour to 81
miles an hour, the franchise granite
the Traction Company is precisely th
same as that granted by the Town
Smyrna published in this issue. Tt
meeting was called by President r.
Wallen and Secretary Abel Sevil res
the minutes. Charles Howell l.
Fevre, ESQ.,, counsel for the Compar
and e. Fl. Click, ESQ.,, promoter, we
given an opportunity to present I'll
merits of the proposed franchis
Council were slow in granting Il
right of way at first but after delibe
ating over the points at issue. the
cleared the room of all save membe
Of the Council when a vote was TAX,
and the ordinance passed. The i'd
of trolley seems to take well wi
Clayton and already there is talk
having the Traction Company, aft
L. LII 4.