Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-03-22
WEAVER
REGAINS
STREETS
Gains Signal Victory over
Graftersand Makes Them
Give up Franchise

Political reform in Philadelphia
achieved its most notable single victory
Tuesday. The famous midnight trac-
tion franchise steal Of 1901 virtually
was undone The Philadelphia Rapid
Transit company, the backbone Of the
Widener. .Elkins traction clique, whose
interests extend to many states, agreed
TO disgorge the stolen franchises and
TO pay the city 100000. Competition
which the traction monopoly never
would permit. is almost assured, and in
cidontally the Wabash railroad probab.
I ly will gain its long sought entrance
into Philadelphia. Moreover. the city
will regain franchises worth millions
Of dollars.
All this is accomplished by Mayor
Weaver. who saw a chance to club the
Rapid Transit company and used e.
All that is necessary to bind the bar
gain Is ratification by the city coun.
ell and by the traction stockholders.
which. 10 is expected, will meet with
no opposition In either quarter.
Whence Opportunity Came.
The mayors opening lay IN the fact
that the traction company which is
constructing a subway under Market
street through the heart Of the city.
has not pushed be work rapidly
enough 70 complete it within the time
limit. which expires June /. and was
compelled 70 ask che city for a three.
year extension A conference with
the traction officials was arranged FOR
today, and then it was that tho troll.
ley men came 70 terms and pledged
themselves 90 return the stolen fraHs
chises, multiplying the bigges, steal Of
The old Quay. Durham band Of political
pirates.
sAAa eAaAAhAN nNNAAs
The midnight steal In 1901 was tho
result Of tho attempt of the late ''Al'p
johnson. brother of Mayor Tom John.
son Of Cleveland. 20 obtain a franchise
here. lie surveyed the street. mapped
out the hnes aud by using virtually
alt Of the unoeeupied streets suitable
Tor car lines. worked a comprehensive
system Of subways and surface roads.
lie applied Tor his franchise. but the
Republican machine refused 20 listen 20
him. Instead, a number Of politicians
formed a paper corporation. They went
10 Harrisburg, tho legislature railroad.
od through tho corporate grants. and
Governor stone signed the bin In the
dead of night after the midnight sss.
sion Of the legislature. The city eoun.
'il here was then called into extra ses.
'lon, and granted franchises covering
aVeFy unoeeupied street In the city alb,
solutely free.
wAnamakeE's oaer soomsd
EaFosimasieF General John Wan,
'makeF led a sensational aght against
me steal, and made a formal oner 10
Mayor Ashebridgs Of ss,5OO. 900. TO be
paid into the city treasury il the fran. |
'hise should be given 10 him instead Of |
ne Maek-FoerdereF politicians asking
.oF them. The Mayor dung the oaer |
10 the ground aud signed the ordip, |
'nees 10 spite Of a storm OF public |
protest.
The politicians holding the frspsbis
: AZ once began to bargain with tbsI
N'1ensT'Eikins interests. owning the
ulon Traction company. and 6nauv
old their easily acquired franchises "a
ne "'deneF' Elkius people for 1900
'oo' practically all Of il clear prost
pon political holdup.
Gives Back What Cost q 100000
Ihe Union Traction company merged
'"eii into the new company. aud after
N'l"y SCI out 10 build the Market
''''' elevated and subway system upon
He OF the grants. None OF the otbe,
rants ever was utilized. and in ora,
. hold the Market street franchise
le " company has now been forced 10
'l'nqo'sh over half Of the franchise
vas forced into buying.
cascade butter reduced 10 "a. rou