Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1907-01-15
Annapolis TOHAVE TROLLEY?
The City Council Paeses The Fran
chise Ordinance.
THERE WAS ONLY ONE DISSENTING VOTE
Want Size of Cars Restricted - COnceS-
sion If Line Can Be Extended
Into The County

tcT Ol WHICH has DOtn HNlOAt thN N-N0h
ell and .the public since last July,
was passed in substantially the same
form into which il was moulded by
the committee of the whole of the
Council and afterwards drafted by
the committee ON bylaws and ordl-
nances.
The final vote on the ordinance
stood
Afirmative-Ma Douw, Counsel
lor Riley, Aldermen Strange, Linth
icum. +. III. Thompson, Baer, T.. A.
Thompson, Z.
Negative-Alderman Munroe. l.
Alderman Munroe, the only member
of the Council who voted against the
ordinance, stated that his objection 10
the College Avenue and King George
street route was unalterable and that
he believed that the Council had made
n great mistake in allowing the cars
to use these thoroughfares. Mayor
Douw and Counsellor Riley explained
their vote by stating that while they
opposed the route granted, yet the
remuneration which the city would
receive should the ordinance be ac-
cepted. was sufficient in their minds
to counterbalance the objection. The
other members have been known from
the beginning as being favorable to
the route adopted.
The only chanes made in the ordi
nance last night were of an unimport-
ant character. The time allowed for
the construction of the line and the
running of ears by companies which
should accept the privileges granted
was extended from January /, 1908,
10 July /, 1908. This was done TO al
low for the time which vas taken in
the consideration of the matter. The
only other change is that the compa-
nies are required to pave the streets to
the side of their tracks only two feet
instead Of four. This, however, does
not effect the provision requiring bond
for the repair of streets injured by the
tracks or cars of the companies.
Strong efforts were made to amend
the ordinance in the vital points of
length Of franchise, compensation for
use of streets and size of cars. How
ever, the advocates of changes in these
particulars were not successful in any
instance.
Alderman Strange led the fight for a
longer term TO the privileges granted
under the ordinance and offered an
amendment changing it from ten TO
thirty years. This was amended to
twenty-five years, but both amend
ments we're lost by tie vote.
The proposition to lengthen the term
of the franchise was strongly opposed
by Counsellor Riley and others. 1t
was urged that the members of the
Council were inexperienced in the
handling of subjects such as are now
before them and that long term
grant of privileges would preclude the
rectifying of any possible errors.
1t was further urged that any COM
pany whose relations with the public
had been satisfactory would have no
difficulty in obtaining a renewal of
the franchise at the end of the term,
whereas, company which did not
treat the public properly could be
made to do so by knowledge that
ii must ask for renewal OF its priv
ileges. BY vote of to 4, the Conn
ell declined to make any change in
this particular.
There was also a strong fight to re-
duce the terms of compensation for
the privileges granted. Alderman
Frank III. Thompson offered an
amendment TO fix the annual rental at
% cents per lineal foot, and Alderman
Strange moved an amendment fixing
the compensation at 20 cents per lineal
foot. Both of these proposed changes
were lost. Alderman Baer, who all
along has favored a high rate of com
pensation, voted with Mayor Douw,
Counsellor Riley and Alderman Mum
roe.
The amendment which limited the
size of cars used in the city streets to
length of 40 feet over all was lost
and re-adoptcd in a singular manner.
BY vote of 4 to it failed of adop-
tion, Alderman Linthicum voting in
favor of it, but Alderman Baer con-
sented to move a reconsideration upon
Counsellor Riley's agreement to
support an amendment fixing the limit
at As feet. This amendment was lost
/ by q tie vote and the question re-
Cured upon the adoption of the origi-
nal amendment. Alderman L. A.
Thompson, who had voted against the
| section, unexpectedly voted for it and
| it was adopted. Had Alderman
/ Thompson again changed, 1t would
| have been impossible to have success
fully reconsidered the matter, as Alder
man Linthicum has consistently sup
ported Mayor Douw, Counsellor Riley
and Alderman Munroe in limiting tbs
size of the cars.
/ The matter of a limit to the size o
the cars is of great importance, as L
| will necessitate change of passenger
at their own terminus of any com
pany which accepts the franchise
There is very bitter opposition to th'
use of the city streets by cars of ap
proximately go feet in length and o
great weight, which, it is understood
the companies propose.
There is mucn interest in the ques
tion of whether or not any of the com
panies. interested will accept the fran
chise under the conditions imposed
President George T. Bishop, of th'
Washington, Baltimore and Annapoli
Electric Railroad Company, one o
the corporations which originally ap
piled for franchise, has written Mayo
Douw and informed him that hi
company will not accept. The Mary
land Electric Railways Compan.
Baltimore and Annapolis Short Lin
Railroad) is holding the matter unde
advisement.
IT was intimated last night that som
of the members of the Council woul'
be willing to make material conces
si0ns to the companies if any of ther
should agree to extend the line int
the lower section of the county or con
meet at annapolis with n line of stear
boat running TO points upon the East
q