The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-09-11
MISTER TRACTION
AS AN INDIVIDUAL BEFORE
THE CITY COUNCIL
AND AS A CORPORATION
Is the Corporation Entitled to Any
Special Favor Or Recognition Which
Would not Be Conceded to the In
dividual ?-The Rights of the People
Should Be Safeguarded-The Refer
endum

It is possible that at the session OF
the City Council on Tuesday next the
extension of the street car franchises
will again be called up for consideration.
1t is not now possible to forecast what
measure will be presented, but it is
only fair to assume that an ordinance
bearing on the issue will enliven the
sitting
It will be recalled that not long since,
having failed to obtain what it expected,
the Traction Company withdrew its
proposition from the Council. 1t was
then believed that the question of trans
fers and the extension of franchises
would be given rest, when unexpect-
eddy Councilman Scofeld revived the is
sue in an ordinance which was defeated
at the last session of the Council in
August,
The Scofeld ordinance should have
been defeated, as it was wanting in ev-
cry safeguard of protection for the peo-
pie. In its stead there was offered the
Lowenthal substitute, which failed of
passage. The Lowenthal substitute
should have been favorably received and
then applied to the referendum for ap-
proVal or rejection.
Unwitting1y there has been an effort
to nlisrepresent the intent of those who
stand for the people, by declaring that
the Council at its last session refused
to submit the issue through the refer
endum to the people There was moth
ing to submit, and there can be nothing
for the people to consider until the
! Council shall have adopted an ordinance
in which will be amplifed fairly and
intelligently every requisite and every
requirements involving the square
deal" for the people as well as for the
Traction Company.
What would be the attitude of the
Council if the Traction Company were
an individual instead of a corporation
Would the Council manifest the same
consideration for an individual as II
has and would for this corporation?
We will say that Mr.. Traction, an
individual, has been granted valuable
privileges for song and desires greater
privileges, which if granted will make
his property more desirable and valu-
able in the future.
The first query from the Council
would be, as it should be, well, Mr.
Traction, what do you propose to do
pay or give for the extension of tht
franchises you hold?"
Transfers. =
| what kind of transfers? Genera
transfers, styled universal transfers
If the transfers are not to be genera
Tor universal of what good will the!
lbe?"
4 Write down in the ordinance univer
sal or general transfers. If not, VIII,
not?
What else?
;. We will keep in repair whatever por
. ton of the streets is occupied by gu
tracks
Indeed Very generous! Has not tn
Supreme Court decreed that this is a
obligation which you, Mr.. Traction
{ must fill, and can not evade?
J, What else?
s We will let the school children rid
, on a three cent fare with the privileg
, of transfers.
!. Mr.. Traction, your generosity is RI
) rnarkable! It is surprising, but thi
, lis stipulation already in the origin;
contract and is required of you, BIT
/ which you have seemingly neglected c
evaded, therefore, you could not e.
pect credit for that, but let this stip,
!. Ilation be written in plain words in ii
ordinance.
{ What else?
We will let the orphans ride free ar
: will demand no fare from the childre
: Tor the matrons of the orphanage, TRAN
ing school, inmates of the Home fl
. the Homeless, or other charitable inst
tutions, fremen, policemen and office
of the city when on duty will also
, provided with free rides. /"
Well that is some concession, but no
3. great the value may be enumerat
|. : hereafter.
g Mr.. Traction, you can have credit +
THAT much. However, let it be writ
in the ordinance in words which c
not be controverted.
What else?
= We may recall the FIVE cents ext
charge to the fair grounds, instead
! ten cents each way or fifteen cents
= the round trip in consideration of t
amusement features being provided
the fair grounds.
70 Mr.. Traction, you are very iber
but We would remind you that the i
grounds is in the city limits and