The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1906-01-25
President Frost Comedies Points
Raised by Council Commit
tee on Wednesday
HOLDS TO FIRST FRANCHISE
President Of Railway Company Claims
That City Has No Right to Ask
More Concessions Than
Originally Given

The conference between President
A. G. Frost Of the Kenosha Electric
Railway company and the special
committee of the common council in
charge of the consideration of the
railway franchise ordinance held on
Wednesday afternoon, was decidedly
satisfactory to all parties concerned.
President Frost showed a willingness
to meet the council committee half
way, and there was no open rupture
between the parties to the confer
ence.
The aldermen insisted that the city
would not be ready to grant fran
chise for Caledonia street unless the
company would agree to build the
line in less than four years, and Pres
ident Frost stated that he was per-
fect1y willing to concede this point,
and that he had already had new
revised ordinance drawn IN which
the time limited for the completion Of
tracks on all streets in the city was
eighteen months. This arrangement
was entirely satisfactory to the mem
bers Of the council committee. Should
the ordinance be passed without de-
lay this would limit the time for the
completion of all extensions to the
first of August of next year. President
Frost stated that he was DESTROYS of
making these extensions just as rap
idly as material could be secured.
The question of the fifty year term
asked in the franchise ordinance came
up, but there was no extended fight
on this subject and it was merely
mentioned in passing. The matter of
the bridge over the Kenosha river at
Grand avenue was taken up, and
President Frost stated that it would
be his duty to strengthen the bridge
or rebuild it if it was found neces-
sary. The bridge will be put in such
a condition as will be demanded for
the operation of cars over it.
President Frost stated to the com
mittee that he could make no conces-
sions further than had been made by
the original franchise ordinance. He
insisted that this present franchise
was simply an extension of the rights
granted under former ordinance,
aud for this eason he should not be
asked to make any concessions to the
city not made in the former ordi-
nance. He stated that railway men
and municipal officers throughout
the state had characterized the Keno
sha street railway franchise as one of
the most liberal ever given by a COM
pany to any city.
Mr.. Frost stated that he would send
his engineers to Kenosha the latter
part of this week to make an examin-
alton of the Grand avenue bridge, and
thar this report would be submitted to
the city council and that the company
would agree to do any thing that the
engineers found necessary.
The committee will have another
Tuesday afternoon, at which time it
is thought that the ordinance will be
whipped into shape. AS the changes
which have been proposed are all in
favor of the city it will not be neces-
sary to republish the ordinance, and
final action can be taken on it at the
next council meeting.
In the meantime Superintendent
Russell is considering plan for the
erection of an artistic" waiting
room for passengers on Market
Square, and it is probable that per-
nit for the placing Of the station will
be asked from the council at the next
meeting. While the station would
undoubtedly be a great convenience
for the passengers on the railway, it
is probable that the plan will meet
with a good deal Of opposition from
some members. of the council. Mar
ket Square is not thing Of beauty,
but the aldermen are opposed to Civ
ing up the streets for any purpose.