The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-10-16
HOLDING UP IMPROVEMENTS.


In April of this year the street rail-
way company asked for changes in It's
franchise which would enable it to
m0derniZe the whole transportation
system of the city. 1t asked the privil-
eye of extending some lines, of con-
structing loops for other lines, of haul
ing on its tracks the material for its
new buildings on Exposition square,
and such other minor privileges as
were necessary for the completion OF
its plans for great street railway sys-
tenn.
Altogether, the expenditure contem-
plated in this scheme of Improvement
amounted to nearly $4,000, 900. 1t in
for the streaks of rust now in use; it
provided for the construction of shops
and other buildings costing close to
100000 1t meant the building of SUI
burban lines which the city desires
very much AS a whole it was the big
gest thing for the benefit of Salt Lake
that has ever been offered the city.
From April % until Sept. II the
American city council, led by T. r.
Black. most conspicuous of reform
ers," delayed action on the application
of the company. The best construction
months of the year were passed with
out any possibility of action by the
company on its most important plans.
because, most naturally, Mr.. Hartman
and his officials here would not under
take TO spend millions unless assured
of their right to their property after
the money was spent.
Five months after the application for
franchise notifications, the "Ameri-
cam council. again led by T. R. Black,
granted a franchise with restrictions
they knew would not be accepted by
the company, and the winter is now so
near that it is unlikely any OF the
larger improvements will be started
this year.
AS everybody knows, the moderniza-
ton of the street railway and lighting
plant is badly needed; the expenditure
of the millions required, the improve
ment in service, the extension of lines
to suburban districts, all promised i'm
mediate returns to the whole city in
the rise of property values and open
ing up of new tracts to subdivision
Yet the American" council, to make
campaign capital, hung up these i'm
provements, attempted to hold up the
company and has delayed. if it has not
postponed Indefinitely. the most i'm
portant public improvements ever con-
templated here.
Moreover, a suit brought by an Amer
ican." and fathered by his party. is
still in court, which had for its original
purpose the defeat of the Big Cotton
wood water plan; and although this
suit failed of its purpose because the
Morris administration succeeded with
the water plans, it still remains in
court and is being used as a club to
compel Mr.. Hartman to come to the
terms of the Americans"
As a matter of simple justice, Mr.
Hartman should have had a reason
able franchise modification within thir-
~ days after his application to the
council in April. If the council meant
to hold him up it should have said so
Immediately, instead of waiting until
late in September to attempt impos-
sible restrictions.
If the improvements are abandoned.
except such as are absolutely necessa-
ny, the American" council alone will
be responsible. Wanting its progress
siveness, it has been the only obstruc-
ton to the investment of millions in
the city on terms which would have
paid every citizen a dozen times more
than can be gained by tying up the
street railway improvements indef-
nitelV