Bisbee daily review., 1905-09-03
THEY WANT ALL FRANCHISES
PROMINENT BUSINESS MEN RE- GARD AN ELECTRIC CAR LINE
 AND GAS PLANTS A BIG STRIDE


 Douglas, Ariz., Sept. 2.-(SpeciaL)-
 Considering the deep importance of the franchises for gas plants and an electric car line for Douglas, which will be voted on at a special election to be held on October Sd, the interest of the community in the matter is but slight
 A canvass of the business distriCt | revealed the fact that a surprising number of prominent men have not even read the ordinances. They all attributed this to pressure of business, and not one could be found who was in any way opposed to the proposed franchises, and while there are some who feel that one gas plant is enough for the city's needs, many were seen who advocated the passage of both franchises on the plea that competition in that line would be a good thing for the city. At the same time the fact that they had not read the ordinances and were not familiar with their pro visions deterred many from allowing their names to be used in connection with an expression of opinion.
 Probably the man most competent to speak on the matter from the city's view point is City Attorney A. c. Lock- wood, through whose hands the or dinances passed on their way to the council.
 T am of the opinion that both of the gas franchises as proposed fully protect the city's interest to Q very high degree" said MT Lockwood. Either or both plants if put in will prove of great benefit to Douglas. The question of gas for fuel is an impor- tant one, and with the low rates pro vided by the ordinances the price of fuel in Douglas will be greatly re duced
 As for the electric street railway franchise, it is also a very nice prop osition. While it does not provide for any return to the city as a corporation, the people who are behind the project are taking a much greater risk with their investment than those interested in the gas franchises, and, considering the size of the town and both existing conditions and conditions which may be expected in the near future. I think the promoters are doing quite as much as could be expected of any group of men.
 'To sum up, I may add that in my opinion no man can go wrong by voting for the electric street railway fran chise and either or both of the gas propositions"
 Mir. E. R. Pirtle, who is behind the movement for the railway ordinance, was at first reluctant to talk on the ordinances because of his interest in them.
 However" he said, "so far as the gas proposition is concerned, l think it is a good one, and had these gentle men not forestalled me I would have asked for Q franchise myself when the street car business was out of the way. And l really think that the price pro posed for gas is a most reasonable one, to which no objection can be found. Both companies are made up of substantial men, who have the inter- ests of the city at heart, and l should like to see both companies get a fran chise.
 The fuel question will be solved. l believe, by the erection of a gas plant in Douglas, which will be of inestim- able benefit to the masses. and I shall work as hard to carry the gas fran chise as l shall to get my own railway franchise"
 Judge Mcdonald is of the opinion that one gas plant is enough for Doug las at the present time.
 By all means let us have the street railway first" he said. T have lived in the west for many years, and have never seen anything build up a town like a street car system. It gives the people a chance to spread about and increases the value of every foot of property at all contiguous to the city and the tracks. It must be well equipped and well managed, and the lived up to by the company. The road will do the rest.
 The next thing in importance to | Douglas now is a gas plant The pro posed franchises are both good, but l think that one gas plant is enough and should be all that is granted. The peo- pie know what they want and can take l their choice of these propositions"
 Councilman Fred J. Haas, who has been absent from the city for some 1 time, said that he was not familiar | with the franchises as proposed.
 T am in favor of anything which will | make Douglas grow" he declared. T know that street railway is a mighty | good thing for any place, and l am heartily in favor of one for Douglas. | l occupy the same position on the gas | proposition, but so far as the proposed | ordinances are concerned, am not in l 9 position to say whether favor the-p ! or ret"