The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1906-12-14
MEETING WAS 4 BUSY one.

MEETING WAS A BUSY ONE.
Citizens and Promoters Discuss Pro-
visions of Street Railway Franchise.
The meeting of citizens with the
representatives of the Mesaba and
the Northern Traction companies
at the conclusion of the council
meeting Tuesday evening proved a
session of much interest, even
though definite results of the con-
ference were lacking.
The proposed franchise was dis
cussed in all it's phases, both Mr..
Myers, of the Mesaba Traction com.
pany, and Mr.. Berdie, of the North
ern Traction company, assuring the
assemblage that their respective
companies could not consider the
acceptance of the franchise as orig
inally drafted.
Mr.. Myers contended that the in.
strument gave the company no pro-
lection, and believed that many
points were susceptible of and de-
manded correction before it's pro-
visions could be acceptable to his
company or satisfactory to the citi-
zens of Eveleth, our prospective
southern connection. One such
point demanding adjustment is the
desire of Virginians to get early
connections with Mount Iron and
the desire on the part of Evelethites
for equally quick service between
that point and Sparta and Elba.
Mr.. Myers stated it as the inten-
ton OF his company to eventually
traverse the range from east to west
and believed their line could be
completed from Biwabik to Hibbing
within five years. But when asked
If he would accept provision that
his company would connect as far
west as Buhl within that time stat.
ed he would.
Upon this point, quite as import.
ant to the people of Virginia from
business standpoint as would be
connection with Eveleth, Mr.. Ber.
die stated his company would guar
antee such connection within the
specified time.
NJ. steinberg brought up the mat.
ter of the final disposition of the
franchise and espoused the idea OF
the sale thereof to the highest bid.
der. On this point Mr.. Myers also
took exception, declaring that "if
such franchise is sold to the hirh.
est bidder, count his company out"
Mr.. Berdie stated that all his com.
pany desired was a reasonable fran
chise, and that he would put up a
$4,000 cash guarantee to connect
the two ends of the range within
five years. The idea of what might
be construed as "fair franchise"
brought the suggestion from Chair
man Hughes that the representa-
tives of the opposing companies
draw and submit skeleton franchis-
er embodying the points desired on
their part, for. future discussion
which met with favor.
The regulations of fares brought
forth the idea from Mr.. Myers that
the attempt of the council to regu-
late fares outside the city limits
was wrong, but the senee of the
meeting favored such a clause, FIX
ing the maximum rate at cents
and the minimum rate at cents
per mile. 1t was also the unani-
nous voice of Chestnut street prop
erty owners that the company be
granted the use of that street under
certain conditions.
The provision that the company
should furnish a $4,000 bond was
also distasteful to company repre-
sentatives, but a motion by DR.. Le-
mont supported byMr. cGhee ,ofAu-
rora, was lost, as also was an amend
ment to have this indemnity bond
cover the entire line.
The citizens present talked and
favored fair franchise, but the
city is entitled to some rights regu.
lating both rates and service be-
tween Virginia and adjoining towns,
for the privileges granted.