The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-07-16
IT MUST COME TO
Time OR RIGHTS
WILL Be FORFEIT
Ordinance Presented at the
Meeting of the City Council
On Monday Night Designed
To Meet the Conditions.
AS WELL TO FIGHT 1T
OUT NOW, SAYS STUDY.
Action on the Ordinance Was
Delayed Until the Meeting of
Council on the First Monday
Night in August.

For two or three years the city has
been arguing pleading with and
threatening the Richmond City Rail
way company, which is owned by the
MCGOWAN syndicate, in an effort tc
get it to repair its various tracks In
this city, especially the track on
North Fifth street between Main and
A, which stands several inches above
the grade of the street and is men
ace to vehicles The company has
also numerous times been asked to
repair the track on North Eighth
street and the track on East Main
street The company has promised to
do so everytime it has been asked
then promptly forgot to live up to its
promises of which the city has at least
two or three bushels.
This aggravating state of affairs
came to a focus Monday evening at
council meeting when Chairman Deu-
ker of the ordinance committee pre-
sented an ordinance prepared by City
Attorney II. J. Study at the instiga-
tion of the board of public works, de-
claring forfeited the rights. privileges
and franchise of the Richmond City
Railway company. This ordinance
created mild sensation and immed-
lately after it had been given it's first
in explanation.
Mr.. Study's Statement.
He rehearsed how in the past the
city has tried to have the tracks of
the company repaired and of the in
solent and indifferent manner in
which the company had received
these requests. He told of the condi-
tion of the track on North Fifth
street. stated that the paving in the
strip between tracks on East Main
street stood almost on end and scrap
ed the springs of the cars. Mr.. Study
stated that the time is now ripe to
bring the company sharply to time. He
stated that he did not think action
should be taken at once on the or
dinance. He recommended that final
action be postponed until the next
council meeting and that if by that
time the company had not taken
steps to comply with the commands
of the city. the ordinance be passed
without any further delay This or
dinance met with the approval of all
the councilmen and it is thought the
MCGOWAN interests will see the hand
writing on the wall without the aid
of spectacles.
Only One of Many.
This ordinance is one of a num-
ber which should be introduced in
rapid succession" stated Mr.. Study.
when Mr.. MCGOWAN was here recent
ly he promised in the presence of wit
nesses that the necessary repairs
should be made Immediately but the
promise was all we ever got out of
him. The tracks should be laid on
concrete foundations and the city will
insist that this improvement be made
The fight against the traction inter-
ests is now on and il might as well
be fought out to the end at the rres-
ent time. 1t is unfortunate that the
company also has war on in Terre
Haute as it cannot give its entire at
tention to the local war-but the city
should wage warfare now and wage
red hot one. | know all of the citi-
zens stand back of their representa-
tives in this fight and I am sure we
all appreciate this support"
Commercial Clubs Action.
Before the introduction of the or
dinance the resolution passed by the
Commercial club supporting the ac-
tion of the board of pubic works and
the city council in its fight and re-
commencing that in the event the
traction company did not comply with
the terms of the city. all cars should
be driven off Main street. was read.
1t was received and placed on file
and a resolution TO refer the traction
question to the city attorney and in
struct him to advise what action
should be taken. was passed.
The following is the ordinance de-
ciaring the franchise of the Richmond
City Railway company forfeit:
Text Of the Ordinance.
An ordinance to forfeit the rights.