Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-29
COUNCIL PASSES
FRANCHISE CRAB
PROMINENT CITIZENS MAKE
VIGOROUS PROTEST
Mayor McAIeer Expected to Veto Or
dinance-Referendu Will Be lns
voked Against Measure Char
acterized as High Handed
from Page oneJ


stated that this franchise is for a
transcontinental railroad. But what
proof have we of it? A little before
this council gathered 1 asked DR..
Houghton what his authority was for
believing this to be a transcontinental
line and he answered that Mr.. Gill
more had told him so. l do not doubt
Mr. Gilmore's veracity but we are taxi
ing one mans unsubstantiated state
ment. But in any event, if it is pos
sible to do so this franchise should be
sold"
Mr.. Goudge was prepared to go on
with his answer to Houghton's ques-
tion and when Mr.. Koephi had fin
ished Mr.. Goudge said:
$50 far from it's being true that 1T
Is the city attorneys opinion that this
franchise cannot be sold, he is of the
opinion that If this franchise can be
granted at all, of which he has very
grave doubts, it is not only within the
power Hut it is the legal duty of the
city council to sell it,"
This was a stunning blow
Mr.. Goudge has never before in the
History of his connection with the city
gone before the council voluntarily
and offered advice. He has always
waited for the council to call for it.
But it was evident that the council
did not want this advice.
The council well knew that in the
face of Mr.. Goudge's positive state
ment the whole world would know that
it had sold the city out by giving
away a million-dollar franchise. They
were powerful men of affairs who
stood in that lobby and watched the
members of the council when Mr..
Goudge's sensational statement fell
upon their ears
1t was nervous and ill-at-ease ag-
gregation they watched so narrowly
and Houghton's nerves worked OH him
so strongly that he flew into either n
real or feigned rage.
Dock Grows More Frantic
IT feel that l have scored great
victory over the city attorney in get
ting this positive statement from him.
he spluttered. Heretofore his opinions
have always been to the contrary. Why
/ could have got hundreds of thou
sands of dollars for the city, had 1
known this before, from spur tracks
and other railway franchises. L do
not know what influence has been
brought to bear on Mr.. Goudge to make
him change his opinion so recently.
/ am not going to stand here and be
betrayed by an attorney who changes
his mind from day to day (cries of
ROTH ROT!! from the lobby. This
ations many time further cries of
ROT!! ROT!!D.
II am glad to learn that this fran
chise can be sold, for | am going to
make motion that we sell it. But as
1 have said, the city attorney has al
ways told us that these franchises can
not be sold. Is that not true? Gle
turned to his fellow councilmen.) 1
dare you to answer"
No one needed his vaporings and he
made his motion that the franchise
be offered for sale. His motion received
no second.
Lawyer Demands Information
M. Lisner, a prominent young at
torney, seized this as his opportunity
to say a few things.
1--WE have been told that this must
be put through in hurry or other
railroads would develop opposition to
1t if it became known. There can now
not be that excuse for hasty action as
everyone has heard of this scheme.
The opposition railroads now know as
we'll as anyone what is planned. You
propose to grant this franchise to E.
w. Gilmore. We want you to stand
up like men and tell us who Mr.. Gill
more represents. Until you give us
this important information you are not
acting right by the citizens of Los An
geles. How do you know this is for
a transcontinental railroad? Who is
your authority for this statement?
Before anyone of you casts his vote
for this franchise it is due to us that
you stand up and explain your vote"
Houghton felt called upon to arise
again.
Makes Telling Speech
my information that this is to be
a transcontinental line comes from Mr.
Gilmore" he said. my inference is
that it is for Gould" This was received
with boots and catcalls.
Houghton sat down and Marshall
Stimson, a member of the Municipal
League and large taxpayer, addressed
the council.
"Mr. Gilmore is today the most i'm
portant and talked of man in Los An
geles," said Mr.. Stimson. "This fran
chise might be for the Santa Fe, the
Southern Pacific or the Salt Lake.
These lines have got enough from
Southern California. If this is for
either of them let them come out in the
open and buy it.
"They tell us this is for a competing
line. From the public standpoint the
three railroads which have mentioned
are competing lines.
1.-THE shippers and citrus fruit grow
ers cannot see much competition be-
tween these lines but they tell us them
selves they are competitors and they
ought to know.
Now what we want to know more
than anything else, is this for a COM
peting railroad that is not now in Los
Angeles? Is this for an absolutely new
railroad that has no affiliations with
any of the three competing lines in this
city? If it is we will say well and
good. If it is let us hear it from some
one who ought to know. Mr., Gilmore
can tell us. Mr. President of the coun-
ell, call upon you to ask Mr.. Gilmore
to lift the veil from this mystery"
Gilmore Is Very Calm
Acting President Blanchard turned
toward Mr.. Gilmore. while from the
lobby came cries of "Gilmore," "Gil-
more" Mr.. Gilmore calmly contem-
plated the cigar he was smoking but
further than this appeared to take no
notice of the cries or the demands for
him to explain.
Several portentous moments passed,
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( ATTORNEY GoUDGE's ADVICE :