The daily sentinel., 1906-12-04
GEORGE SMITHS FRANCHISE.

Ii there was ever an Individual en-
titled to the consideration of the peo-
pie OF the city, il is George Smith.
builder and promoter George Smith
has had only trouble to contend with.
he has always lived ten years in adj
vance of the times, so far as they
have concerned this country.
He was granted franchise for the
construction OF an electric railway la
this city. He has also quit claim
deeds for a strip of land through the
eastern part of Mesa county TO Pali-
sades. Ever since the franchise was
granted he has worked long and hard
TO secure assistance with which to
build the line, but has met disappoint
ment after disappointment.
But il is not the creed OF George
Smith to become discouraged. His
Is an optimistic nature and whenever
anyone showed the least disposition
to take hold of the scheme, he spent
his time and his own money with a
most liberal hand to endeavor to pro-
mote the railway.
1t will be pretty generally acknowl-
edged that even when MIR. Smith was
granted the franchise there was not
such fever for investment and
building as there is today. There was
not plenty of money with which 10
promote schemes. In the past year
Nancy for such propositions has
seemed to be plentiful and il is no
more than right and just that Mr..
Smith receive an extension from coun-
Gil for this franchise.
We believe we know how much eff
fort George Smith has put forth TO
promote the scheme. We believe we
know as well Mt least as anyone how
faithfully he has labored for the best
interests of Grand Junction and Mesa
county in season and out and we be-
lieve il is the will of the people, save
few individuals, th2t an extension
for short time be granted Mr.. Smith
to permit him to nuke a showing on
the last proposition that he brought
before council.
If some one else was anNiously
knocking for permission to build this
road, we should hesitate greatly
about giving voice and vote for an eN-
tension. Railroads, even electric rail.
roads are not built i'm a day and nei-
ther council or the public would stand
for some one barring the way to build
this proposed system. &C.. .. e..
IL is to be hoped that at the next
session of council they will review
their act of few nights ago, when
they refused to grant an extension
and permit Mr.. Smith to have one
more trial.
Beside Mr.. Smith there are quit,
"A few other public spirited citizens
who have advanced money for the pro
motion of this scheme. They are fin.
sncially as well periodically interest.
cd in the matter. Ii may be true that
some of council is somewhat tired OF
the representations made by Mr.
Smith regarding the possibility OF
the roads building from time to time
but they must tremenber that disap.
pointmcnts come to all who are en-.
gagged in such great projects. We
don't believe that we will lose any
time by granting such courtesy to
one OF our citizens.
Many times indeed are favor
granted those who have no call OF
our consideration at all. Certainly we
can afford to he generous in this case
even though Mr.. Smith fail i'm his last
attempt, which now looks so favor
able.
In the event of the failure of Mr.
Smith to promote the road he has
given ample evidence of his generos.
ity, by Offering to turn over to thu
city aii of the preliminary work that
has been done, and IL Is considerable
much more than the average individ'
ual has any conception about
to hold in trust until some one
will undertake to build the road foi
| the city.
What il has cost Mr.. Smith il will
have to cost any other individual OF
combination of persons undertaking
to build the railway. Time and money
the latter no less than from five tO
seven thousand dollars, has been spent
i'm securing the data which was nee.
cessary to present the proposed road
before capital.
Under the circumstances then we
take the broad position that no injury
may result from being broad minded
upon this subject and we hold to the
same opinion as expressed mt council
that, that body which has ever been
broad spirited and public minded
upon all matters, would he favorine
the public and doing their duty, II
they would grant this extension for
such short period as is asked.
THE MOODY OPENING.