Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1909-12-20

munity, as they are selfish views
from local interests whose holders
are but temporary, and in the face
OF eternity such voices are extreme
~ insignificant as compared to the
eternal interests and welfare OF the
greater number in the community
and its successors"
The Wheeler franchise is absolute
ly free from provisions of any kind
that will care for the interests of
the public. For instance, the county
is liable for accidents that may occur
on county roads through it's negli-
gence, yet the franchise does not re-
Quire the company to become res
ponsible for anything. A person in
jured by the electric line may COM
pei the county to pay damages, and
so all along the line it is found to
be a case of the public be damned.
The Herald does not oppose the
building of trolley lines. This paper
fully appreciates the development
that follow those modern civilizers,
and would be perfectly willing to
grant them reasonable facilities of
crossing roads, or even running on
them for short distances in emer-
gencies, it believes in dealing liberal
ly, but would insist upon the filing
or the contemplated route and its
approval by the county engineer be-
fore granting franchise. And then,
a rigid forfeiture clause should be
inserted If the road be not in opera
tion in a stipulated time; due care
of the road and responsibility for ac-
cidents provided for, and, after a
term of years, the payment of per-
,GSntage of the gross receipts demand
ed. Trolley franchises of this kind
will find an advocate in the Herald
as strenuous in their behalf as it
is in opposition to the speculative
deal under consideration.
This franchise can hardly be con-
sidered tangible property as yet.
Several taxpayers are prepared to
give legal battle. Speaking on the
suDjecr last week, G.. M. Powell, one
Of the most earnest good roads adv0-
Gates in Chehals county, said:
Il want to go on record as being
opposed to the franchise granted to
Eldridge Wheeler, and as long as
there is a legal point left | am go
ing to fight for the interests of the
public.
y have secured legal advice that
will go a long way toward fighting
the franchise. The interests of the
public have not been safeguarded,
and there will be a legal battle be-
fore the matter goes much farther"
Attorneys claim the instrument
can be attacked on various grounds,
and the authority of the commits
sioners to bestow the roads may be
questioned ~ in cases where the roads
have been donated by property own
ers, for county road purposes" Per-
haps more than fifty per cent of the
roads in the county have been given
in this manner, and many of them
We're opened and improved by donat-
ed labor. One instance is cited, the
road along the Chehalis river south
OF Elma. The residents donated the
right of way, and the state expended
$12, 600 upon it, and the same may
be said of all the state aid roads in
the county. 1t is highly probable
that the commissioners may be serv-
ed with an injunction today, before
the minutes of the meeting grant
ing the franchise are approved, and
it is safe to say that those starting
legal proceedings in this matter will
find no difficulty in securing all the
financial aid required.