Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1905-09-19
FRANCHISE
BRINGS S26.
Bought by John H. Bell, IT.,
a Local Business
Man.
era WFoRD QUITSEARLY
Says He Did Not Want to
Oppose a Local Bidder.
and so Retired.

The prospect of Hopkinsville
having a street railway has been the
all-absorbing topic for the past week.
We believe the people as a mass
want electric cars, no matter by
whom they may be operated. We
know that there was an element,
though how large we cannot say,
who were opposed to the franchise
passing into the hands of Mr.. Samu-
ell G. Crawford without material
changes being made in the original
instrument. This was done at a
called meeting of the council, as be-
fore published in this paper. Still
opposition existed, and it was evil
dent two or three days before the
sale was made that Mr.. Crawford
would have competition when the
sale Of the franchise was to be made.
Just who the competitive bidders
might be it was impossible to mag
inc.
Now that the sale has been made
and confirmed by the council it may
be proper to say that the grounds Of
objection to Mr.. Crawford's obtain
ing possession of the franchise, after
numerous amendments were made,
was that he had not been required
to put up a forfeit of about $4,000,
that he was not financially able to
build the line himself, and that he
wanted the franchise to sell to other
parties.
But Mr.. Crawford did not obtain
the franchise. 1t was sold to Mr..
John H. Bell, Jr., of this city, for
S26, he to pay all cost of advertising.
Mr.. Bell was unknown in the matter
until the time for bidding arrived.
He is one of our most enterprising
and successful business men, and
says he bought the franchise in good
faith.
We are authorized by Mr.. Bell to
say that if his plans do not miscarry
he will commence work within the
time specified in the franchise and
will build and have in operation five
miles of the road within the twelve
months, as required. He says that
an enterprise of this magnitude re-
quires careful calculation as to
whether it will be profitable or not.
1t is well known that Mr.. Bell never
jumps at chances, and, regardless of
the opinions of those who have no
interest at stake, he never consum-
mates trade without he sees it is
to his interest to do so. He says
that he was told by certain gentle
men to buy the franchise, and it will
be up to them to furnish the money
to carry out the provisions of the
franchise, if it will pay.
Mr.. Bell says that he has been
charged with acting for the local
electric light company in purchasing
the franchise, which is not true. He
has no connection with the company,
having sold his interest three years
ago. He says that if careful calcu-
lations prove that the investment
will he profitable he has the pledges |
of a number of gentlemen who will |
furnish the necessary capital.
On the other hand, Mr.. Crawford |
his attorney, stated to the
council after the sale had been made
that he wanted the good will of our
people, and he desired the council !
to confirm the sale made to Mr.. Bell,
and if, at the expiration of ninety |
days, Mr.. Bell could not see his way
through to build the street railway |
system he would be ready to have
the privilege transferred to him.