The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-11

| bill unless Il contained a referendum
clause, and perhaps not then.
CONSERVATION swept over the corpora
| tion crowd. With the elevated lobbyists
swarming all over the senate reading
rooms, the corridors, and even the cham
Der itself. the debate went hercely on,
but II was too late 10 do anything except
play the hand through, and the bill was
finally passed by a vote OF 70 10 Is, and
sent 10 the governor.
The veto message came quickly and de-
vincing argument Gov Crane objected
not only 10 the absence OF the referendum,
but 10 many other features.
mo consideration affecting the public
interest tho governor said. "can justfy
the adoption OF this extra ordinary propo-
sition. for there Is no reasonable doubt
that the subway can be built by the city
and leased for sum ample 10 cover In
terest and sinking fund. Moreover II not
only binds this generation. but N ties the
hands OF the next. In 1922 all other special
privileges OF the elevated road expire.
There Is no good reason why the public
should not come into complete possession
OF its own then. and grant such further
franchises as improvements justify 1.his
bill would insure the elevated command OF
the situation for twenty more years
The tide Of public opinion set strongly
with the governor. and the Legislators
FASTENED 10 get into the band wagon.
The veto was triumphantly sustained ana
the elevated had been beaten again.
The Public Franchise league, through
the Board of Trade, brought up its bill
again, and the astute counsel for the ele-
waited repeated his yearly ingenious argu-
ment garnished with masses Of intricate
figures to show that his company could
not afford financially 10 accept any such
proposition-hgures confusing and laby-
rinthine but which were brushed aside by
the counsel for the Public Franchise
league with the statement OF few we'll
known manifest facts.
An attempt was made 10 confuse the
issue by the Introduction OF so-called
tunnel scheme" The city was 10 build
a subway" for surface cars, while the
Elevated company constructed and owned
forever n deep tunnel for its elevated
trains. For a time IL seemed 10 confuse
the minds OF the committee, but Mayor
Collins I'm his bluff. leonine fashion, set
tied that proposition In word. tunnels
and subways." he said. ARE both holes
I'm the ground. no more. no less. and the
same arguments which make IL wise Tor
the city TO own subway apply to the
tunnel as WELL
Weeks were spent In long, tedluos bick-
erings over the terms OF the bill and its
exact wording. during which the attor-
neys for the company, in last desperate
chance attempted To defeat the spirit OF
the bill by subtle phrasing and amblgu-
Gus clauses, while Mayor Collins ana the
Public Franchise league were openly ac-
cused OF holding up and needlessly de-
laying legislation.
"Gentlemen." said Gov Crane when the
complaint was brought 10 his attention,
you are perfectly right; don't give IN
an inch" -
They did not. and the session OF 1902
ended with subway legislation in the blue
book almost Identical with that asked py
the Public Franchise league three years
back, In l900-legislatlon calling Tor SUD
way built and owned by the city, lease
to the Elevated company for y years AT
a rental OF 4IA per cent, and referendum
TO the people
The wears OF hard flghting and the cor
poration defeated In every Important par
cd company had seemed overwhelming
tjculari The odds in favor of the Elevat-
on their side were ranged those supposed
molders OF public opinion. the newspapers,
with but one exception the dominant po-
litical machine Of the city, and all the
wealth and resources OF great financial
establishments.
THAT potent force public opinion, was
created and directed by the Public Fran
chise league. This fact Is or great sig
nincance In the present issue throughout
the country between the people ana the
public service corporations. Corruption
breeds when the public are awake ana
alive TO the issue when at stake; ana the
public Franchise league kept awake.
The league kept I'm close touch with the
people reduced the various propositions
10 simple terms which the man IN the
street could understand at glance, ana
forced them on his attention perslstently
and the people responded 10 the appeal
Therein lay the secret OF their service ana
success. , -, .. =,
The public can. II II Will, protect u
saIf and maintain its rights against the
creed of corporate wealth and power