Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-09

toned policemen on downtown street and
stopped the cars 81 the Cleveland Electric
company from going over short section
Of street which gave them a loop 20 send
cars around the public square. Mayor
johnson said he took the action to de-
termine II the company had any further
right TO use streets on which he insists
the franchises expired over a year ago.
Appeal TO the Courts.
This action sent the Cleveland Eiectric
company into the United States supreme
court, and the case was argued there
week ago. The Cleveland Electric com
pany claims that the franchises on the
streets in contest have not expired. be-
cause franchises on certain downtown
line TO which transfers from all lines in
tersecting II are given has several years 10
run Mayor johnson insists that II this
claim holds good the Cleveland Electric
company can Just as readily lay claim to
permanent franchises, as new franchises
are given almost every year for certain
extensions and cross lines. But the latest
legal action has practically brought the
fight to the last ditch, and Cleveland peo-
pie who have been RECALLED with a steady
diet OF low-fare talk for many years ex-
pect soon to get a little real benefit other
than excitement and good newspaper
stories.
The fight went on with undated vigor.
until year ago the S-cent-fare line took
on a DEFINITE shape by the organization
Of the Forest City Street Railway company.
! to be operated under a lease by the Mu-
niclpal Traction company. This company
| holds a franchise revokable at any time;
It must stick to a straight scent fare and
/ give transfers all over the city. Yet with
all its limitations such great faith had the
people in the success of the new company
that its stock was oversubscribed in a
short time, nearly all Of It being held by
small investors. In fact, large offers for
big blocks were refused, and the applioa-
| ton Of personal friends Of Mayor johnson
/ from various parts Of the country were
turned down.
Brisk Competition.
! with stock subscribed and money in the
/ treasury the company at once began track
4 laying. Then came more sensations. The
! Cleveland Electric company had a single
/ track In Fulton road. The new company
had a franchise there for a single track,
and the old company had been ordered to
move its track over to make room for Its
competitor. The track was not moved, and
one night Mayor johnson ordered force
Of men to tear It up. When the Cleveland
Electric company heard Of this move il
went to court and got an injunction, but the
track was torn up before the papers were
/ served. Mayor Johnson was hailed into
court for contempt, but a hearing cleared
him, and the new company had its track
down.
All summer the work on the new line
has gone on when II was not tied up by in
functions, and during that time Cleveland
Electric stock has dropped from around 81
to &c. but by a rallying Of the stockholders
was again brought to 20.
Both sides are doggedly determined e
win out. but the nervous stage has beer
reached. The Cleveland Electric company
realizes that It has all at stake, Will,
Mayor johnson only smiles.
b johnson Points the Way.
why Cleveland should have a street rail-
way fight at all seems strange to outsiders
because the city probably has the fines
street car service in the United States
Large clean cars plenty Of them, goot
schedules and long rides for cents ough
to make the Clevelanders satisfied say
the visitor, but Cleveland has been laugh
by Mayor johnson that street car rides ar,
uVt worm Genus edCn, ana tney are gOlnl
to hold out for every concession that il
possible. At present the Cleveland Electro
company offers seven tickets for a quarter
transfers on all the lines and better rapi
transit in return for a tventy-five-yea
franchise, but Johnson won't listen to IL
The Cleveland Electric company wanted 4
submit the question TO a vote at the recen
election, but Johnson put his foot down "a
It, asserting that IL was a question In whicl
politics should not appear.
While the fight has waged most bitterl,
there has always been the best Of feelin
between Mayor Johnson and President aor
ace Andrews OF the Cleveland Electri
company, who is regarded as enc Of tn
best street railroad men in the Unite
States. Courteous to an unusual degres
thoroughly honest and fair in all his busi
ness methods, President Andrews has cor
Quoted an honorable tight and the mayo
has always received him as a man WIZ
like himself fights in the open, but ther
are directors Of the Cleveland Electric VIII
think he ought 10 change his methods c
warfare, and there has been no little tai
Of friction at certain board meetings, bu
Andrews still remains at the head.