The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-12-13
Both A. A. Ericsen and Pen
sacola Electric Company
Want Garden Street.
AND IN THE COUNCIL MEETING
SUPT. SEMMES OF THE LATTER
COMPANY SAYS THAT HIS COM
PANY HAS LETTERS FROM Mr..
ELIASBURG MAKING OVER
TURES.

The granting of a franchise to A.
A. Ericsson, A. Eliasburg and others
to operate street railway along Gar
den street, was handled last night by
the City Council, and it proved one of
the interesting features of the session.
The ordinance to grant the privi-
leges desired was up on it's third read
ing, when Alderman Muldon, who was
not well acquainted with the provis-
ions of the ordinance, began to make
amendments. The first was that in
stead of allowing the company two
years in which to complete the work
and six months in which to commence,
that it be allowed one year to COM
plete and two months to commence.
This was debated at some length,
Aldermen D'Alemberte and Yonge
speaking against such a time limit,
and Mr.. Ericsen being present, was
called upon. He asked one of his en-
gineers to answer the question as to
completion of the road in such a
period of time, and the latter stated
that it would be almost impossible;
that the construction work itself could
easily be done, in fact was of minor
consequence, that the obtaining of ma
terial and electric machinery would
entail great delay, as the companies
would not guarantee It's manufacture
within nine months.
Judge Avery, who was present for
the applicants for the franchise, spoke
upon the difficulty now being encoun-
tered in securing material and equip
ment, as did also Alderman Yonge
and D'Alemberte, the latter stating
that If it was the desire of the coun-
Gil to kill the measure why not come
out and do So"
Alderman Muldon in reply to this
said that he had always stood square
ly upon every proposition and no one
could ever say that he had ever at
attempted to ride on two backs" but
after the statements of the promoters
regarding the delay in securing the
material he withdrew that amend
ment, but Immediately substituted
$1,000 instead of $4,000 as the amount
which should be forfeited oy the ap-
plicants for the charter If they fail to
have the road completed within two
years. This money to be deposited
upon the acceptance Of the contract.
This amendment was carried.
The Interesting Portion.
The interesting portion of the pro-
ceedings then came. All during the
time the debate was in progress on
the amendment Alderman Christie
had been endeavoring to ask question
of Mr.. Ericsson as to whether or not
overtures had not been made to the
Pensacola Electric Company. When
the amendment was carried he had
this opportunity, and Mr.. Ericsson,
being given the privilege of the floor.
stated that he was the president and
only authorized person to make or ac-
cept propositions and mat he had made
none whatever. - He stated that ne
knew the street railway company
was interested in the defeat OF the
measure and had attempted to buy
out the new company, but that he had
not entertained any propositions. He
said that If anyone had made any
propositions that it was without au-
thority
Mr.. Christie then asked that the
council hear from Supt ]. o. Semmes,
of the Pensacola Electric Company
The latter stated that his company
had received propositions from the
new concern and that it was only re-
Gently that letter was received from