The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1909-07-02

ceived their benefits from the be-
ginning.
That lot of money which Bill
liam" is assured the petitioners
will be able to receive for the fran
chise by selling it to the highest
bidder. is not clear to my mind
How can it be brought about with
in so short space of time? If, as
you say, the franchise is worthless
at present, what is to transpire
within two years to make it so ex-
ceedingly valuable that the bidding
will be fast and furious and run it
up into great sum of money? In
fact, this is all tommyrot. Such
comment appears to us to be born
of that spirit of jealousy and oppo-
sition to everything with which you
seem to be endowed.
Billiam" had free access to a
copy of the proposed franchise and
should have read it and obtained
some knowledge of it's provisions so
he could do justice to the public in
giving them a true analysis of its
contents, instead of standing spon-
sor for such statements as the fol-
lowing: His statement that it
would be possible to construct a
streak of rust one mile in length
and thereby hold the franchise in
definitely is not true, for it is stated
clearly in the franchise that at least
one mile of road must be construct
ed and in operation within two
years or the franchise will be for
feited.
His statement that the track
when built could be left unballasted
is another instance of his failure to
read first before making false state
ments to the public. For the fran
l'chise plainly and explicitly pro-
vides for the ballasting of the tracks
in the same manner and with th
same materials as the streets are
built thru which tracks are laid and
under the direct instruction and az
. proval of the city engineer.
The proposed franchise provides
in addition to the bond of $4,000 to
! protect the city during the construc-
tion period, which by the way is
for the city location and would have
to be added for any further exten-
sion asked for, gives us further Sc
curity to protect the city from any
possible damages, the whole value
of the road itself, its equipment and
it's very valuable franchise which is
worth such a vast sum of money,
and which "Billiam" wants to hold
on to as all heritage for the genera
ton unborn, like the miser who
buries his gold, depriving himself
and the community of any benefits
thercfrom.
All thee assets are at all times
subject to any liens for damages
that any person or the community
may suffer.
| As to the slur on the town council
in the last paragraph, it is only
necessary to refer to the Law of the
State of Washington as written IL
Section 1922 of Pierce's Code to SEE
that the Councilmen and the peti
TONERS are not passing any franchise
under cover thru call meeting
;, We ask you in the spirit of fair
ness to put this matter of the pro
posed franchise straight to you
readers and show the public thru
. the columns of your paper that the
interests of the community are safe
guarded in every essential point.
The only asset in the whole mat
ter that accrues to the city is Great
ed in granting the franchise, tina
will build up the communitie
financial interests at this time ant
is worth far more to the granter
than to the grantees both now or a
any future date.
Yours very respectively,
s. G.. EmmOns
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