The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-09-14
1Rv a Scar Corresnondentl


Whiting. Sept. 1.-THE citizens ana
business men of Whiting are in a fever
over the report that the fifty year
street franchise for the Hammond.
Whiting and East Chicago electric line
will be railroaded through the council
meeting at the session Monday night.
Indignation is widespread and so in
tense is the feeling that mass meeting
OF the citizens win be called, If pos
sible. on Sunday afternoon or early
Monday morning to press their obiec-
| tions to its passage.
In several of the recent meetings IT
has been tipped off that the car COM
pany were about to seek a new fran
chise. although the matter has never
been brought before the council off,
cially, until the last session week ago
last Monday Here the franchise was
introduced and read to the council and
the matter was deferred for further
| consideration. In the last few days,
however. it has developed that the
members of the council. or some of
them at least plan TO shove the deal
through Monday before the ire OF the
whole populace has been aroused.
No Language Strong Enough.
No words are harsh enough to de-
scribe the attitude of the business men
in their opposition to the intended pas
sage OF the new charter Hold-up and
robbery is the most simple way to ex-
plain their opinion OF the whole deal.
Every possible measure will be adopted
to check the crooked grab in case 1t is
shown conclusively that such action is
contemplated. Many are firm in their
belief that it will be attempted and the
day in Whiting has been practically
turned over to long and earnest dis
cussion of the deal and the best meas
ures to prevent the success of the coup
If the franchise is passed Monday
night or any other council meeting In
its present form the aldermen voting
for the measure viii be branded by the
! people of Whiting almost as a unit a.
frauds and corruptionistss The publi'
lowness of the new charter AS one o
} the citizens stated its whole tone from
top to bottom shows too plainly IT.
policy of take all and give nothing"
The reason for the street car com
pany introducing the new franchise
at this time was through the oppor
paving of 119 streets as a leverage Il
a new charter
Street Car Company Obdurate.
Whiting has long been attempting
to pave its main thoroughfare. bu
has been held back by the refusal of tn,
street car company to pave its right o
way, which would greatly neutraliz
the value Of the remainder of the pave
ment They refuse to do so on tn,
|
require their paving of the right o
, way, but with the condescending spiri
of one doing a most valued favor
. they agreed to pave the street on tn
consideration that they be given a nev
fifty years franchise together witt
every conceivable privilege. The,
. have given the city administration t
understand that under no other con
> sideration can they hope to have tn
middle section of the street paved
+ And that Is not ALL They ask for
franchise on Indiana boulevard tn
only other main street of the town tha
. they have not secured at the presen
time for no other ostensible reasol
+ than to prevent any competitor fror
, entering the city.
I Many Flaws In Evidence.
1HeI6 are many blllHI lldnS IildH "a
be picked out of the new deal If
careful study of the contract could b
q made. Mayor Smith says of the pro
posed passage of the new charter:
O see no reason why the people shoul
q have to stand for service fifty year
+ hence under the conditions which exis
i at present. 1 am heartily opposed I
its passage"
Mr.. Bader, president of the Indian