Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1905-04-15
WHAT OTHER CITIES
Do WITH RAILWAYS

Editor Evening Bulletin:-ln view
OF the recent expression OF dissatisfac.
tion by the II. Il. T. a l.. Co., Ltd, as
TO the terms of its franchise, perhaps
comparison of the said franchise
with those granted by other cities may
be of interest.
The local franchise is ito operate
for a term of 80 years" and after pro.
viding for charges upon the income
for operating, repairs, extensions, in.
terest, renewals, and every other cost
or charge properly connected with the
maintenance and operation, as well as
the creation OF a sinking fund for the
redemption OF any bond which may be
issued or other record debt, and the
capital upon expiration of the fran
chise and the payment of dividends to
stockholders, not to exceed s per cent
on the par value of the stock issued,
stipulates that the excess of income
shall be divided between the Territory
of Hawaii and the stockholders OF the
said Corporation. Compare this with:
Cincinnati. O.-Franchises are lin
tied TO twenty years. Terms readjusta.
BILE every fifteen years:
NHl'dSO' III hNtIdSt tlIlt llIUlt VI
all franchises about twenty years.
During the past two years public dis.
oussi1n over the renewal terms of fran.
chises that had expired brought out
the facts as to their enormous value,
with the result of an overwhelming
majority at the recent election in fa.
vor OF municipal ownership.
Columbus. O.-Franchises limited to
twenty-five years. Three and one half
fares or seven tickets for a quarter,
good at all hours, with universal trans.
fers.
Kansas City, Mo.-Franchises limit
ed to twenty years, the traction com.
panies providing without cost to the
city public park of 100 acres, and the
expense of maintenance borne by the
traction companies during the term of
their franchises. Compensation to the
city, per cent of gross receipts dur
ing the twenty-year term.
Greater New York-Here the charter
forbids the granting Of any street fran
chises for a period of more than TWEEN
ty years, when a readjustment Of terms
may be made.
Toronto, Canada-Franchises termi
nate in twenty years subject to terms
OF readjustment but for only ten years
longer, Eight tickets for twenty-five
cents during working hours; children's
tickets at half price, including uni
versal transfers. The company pays
the city from to go per cent OF the
gross receipts (the percentage depend
ing on the amount of receipts) besides
$4,000 per mile as mileage for every
mile Of single track.
Baltimore, Md.-Compensation . pei
cent Of the gross receipts.
Washington, ID. C.-Franchises or II
censes reyocable by Congress or tn,
district authorities.
States:
lllinois-Here the new law of 1870;
prohibits any city or municipality IN
the state from granting a franchise fol
n longer term than twenty years The
law also forbids any municipality
owning its own street railway system
from leasing the railway lines to pri
vate company for a longer term thar
twenty years.
Observation-Disclosures railway fran
chises are granted for no specific period
but are reyocable at any time by IN,
local authorities on recommendation
of the state railroad commission.
In California, Colorado, Florida
Missouri, South Carolina and Virginia
there are constitutional or statutory
restrictions against the cities or towns
granting franchises other than for lin
tied periods,
In Minnesota the limit Is ten years
where the franchise Is an exclusive
one, and In Kansas, 20 years.
Under the Roosevelt.Ford law In New
York State for taxing franchises fol-
municipal purposes, special franchises
In New York State for 1904 were as
sessed at $685., $4,000, these yalua
tons having stood the test of the courts
after aggressive opposition from the
companies,
Thanking you for your yaluahl,
space.
Yours very truly,
COLIN Campbell,
Honolulu. r. H., April 1871, 1905