The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1909-07-30
FRANCHISE SEEKERS
CHANCE FRONT
oNIY LINE TO DOCK IS DESIRED

1u.;ness men OF the town assembled
- The Council room last Monday
evening to discuss the proposed
street car franchise. The most
startling feature of the evening was
.be complete change of front on the
n,rt of the petitioners as to what
they wanted at the hands OF the
c;tv. The session opened by an ex-
tended select reading by Council
man Crowell of the franchise ordi-
nance practically as before present
ed to the Council, only some slight
notifications being made. Then
ovtracts from other franchise OF
nearby cities were read and some
fraoramentary talk was INDUCED in
during the reading. When the
meeting was thrown open for more
extended remarks by the Mayor
Geo. F. Richardson spoke at length
for the petitioners. He had hardly
opened when the complexion OF the
whole meeting was changed by a
question put at him by Councilman
R;er Richardson had sketched the
argument for connection between
tbe railroad and the river when MIR.
Bier asked, why he wanted a
franchise on Seventh and Third
streets on this side of the tracks it a
line to the river was all that was
desired?" Richardson met the
question fairly by saying that ne
did not think they needed such
streets for their present purpose and
that it was not his idea to ask for
the additional streets. Ii the rail-
road crossings were not to be taken
nor city streets needlessly tied up.
different aspect was placed on
the whole matter and everybody
breathed easier and the discussion
proceeded.
Mr.. Richardson stated that the
line to the dock from point on
Railroad street could be built for
$4,000 and it was the opinion OF
himself and his associates that the
line could be made to pay on such
an investment.
c. A. Lundy then spoke and he
would kinder liked to have a
little broader grant than his
friend George" and intimated that
the proposed road to Horse Heaven
would be good talking point any
way. Councilman Kruse urged
that there be full expression Of
opinion by those who thot the fran
chise should not be granted. MIR
Sheppard rose promptly and as h
said for fear they would all wan
to speak at once" He sketchee
the work successful and unsuccess
ful the Commercial Club had dom
to encourage river navigation an(
to get spur built to the dock. HI
favored spur that would make
connection between town and dock
expressed the opinion that the coun
ell might grant a franchise unde
proper restrictions for such a spu
while adhering firmly to the princi
pie of some compensation to tn
city for all franchises granted. H
favored the reduction of the tim
limit when the work should be don
In one year instead of two.
l.. W. Soth spoke as resident {
The northside and asked the Cour
Gil consider the fact that the ne
hne would be an additional one fo
the people and the school childre
to cross and urged that unless
Was absolutely necessary, the fral
chlse be not given for the enti
length of Railroad street but #
only such part at the east end
would give the New Company a
CESS to the freight depot. He ur
that a forfeiture bond be requir,
III case of construction was not b
gun and completed within a &C
taln time and pointed ont that sol
of the petitioners were the mo
strenuous kickers because such
pan had not been followed with t