The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-08-17
THE TRACTION COMPANY
AS a seeker of Valuable Privileges Ag-
gregating a Half Million Dollars, and
What Is Proposed to Concede as an
Equivalent


Equivalent
When viewed with calm and disinter-
ested deliberation, it is amazing to con-
slider the readiness of some people to
yield to every demand of the Traction
Company. Of this number are mem
bers of the Council, who today as in the
past years have favored this corporation
regardless of the substantial welfare of
the peope.
Until recently the Traction Company
has had no opposition in its requests
or demands from the Council. Indeed,
until recently the Council, seemingly,
esteemed it a privilege to give away to
the Traction Company extensions ani
concessions which today aggregate IN
value half million dollars. And what
has the city received for such conces-
sions?
There is pending for consideration IN
the City Council an ordinance providing
transfers as the equivalent of the ex-
tention of the franchises of the Trac-
ton Company. It has been demonstrat-
ed that the proposed transfers are OF
little value compared to the extension
of the franchises. AS matter OF fact,
the franchises acquired by the Traction
Company possess a greater material
vaue than its operating equipment; yet,
notwithstanding, it is proposed to
strengthen the power of this monopoly
by. additional grants which will make
absolute its dominancy of the city al
least as applied to the main thorough
fares which it now controls practically.
In the ordinance pending in the Coun-
Gil, which seemingly is being championeo
by Councilman. Scofeld, there are pro
vided no safeguards for the city. The
entire ordinance applies to- transfer:
only, nor is it proposed to eliminate tht
FIVE cents extra fare to the Far
Grounds. At least there is no speeitlca
ton to that effect; nor is it provided
that the Traction Company shall taxi
care of certain portion Of the street:
occupied by It's track and abutmen
underground. At this time there IS
contention between the city and th1
corporation over the maintenance of it
| track including the abutment under
ground Such contention should b
made impossible in the future. !
should be made clear and distinct, Tn
Traction Company should be require
and compelled to conform to the st1pu
lation of maintenance without the pos
sibility of doubt or of evasion.
Unauestionably should the Scofel
ordinance prevail, it will be left to tn
discretion of the Traction Company t
grant half fares to children attendln
| schools, to policemen and frenen an
officers of the law to ride free when Q
duty, and it will be left to this corpora
ton to determine if orphans and the
attendants shall ride free. Indeed,
this ordinance, which, if it should
tlegalized, will supercede all other ord
nances, there are no specifications b
sides transfers, which practically are
| little consequence. The Traction Con
pany under this ordinance would
vested with such extraordinary pow
as is possessed by no individual or co
poration in existence.
AS long as it conformed to the sti
ulation of transfers, it could defy t
authority of the city to compel the
pair and the maintenance of its trac
and it could do all such things as won
not conflict with its transfer specific
tions.
It is the Caucasian's candid opini
that this proposed ordinance should
rejected, as it is wanting in every esse
& tial which should be protective of
city and of the peoples best interests.
We have not yet reached the conc
sion that the people, at least the nlajt
ity, have come to that stage Of deme
tia when they are willing and are rea
a TO surrender to corporation rig
and privileges which should be sa
d guarded by every reasonable provis
= suggestive to common sense
% At the risk Of repeating what
g have said, we hold that the Tract
= Company, from a business view, sho
IS long since have conceded transfers,
81 while trying to get closer to the pee
than in the past, it would hold, as
were, the Highland Park Line as
n. and as persuader, to force the ext
0 sion of franchises they seek, which t
would obtain over the grant of transf
The Council should be conserva
81 and consistent. It should be as faii
,48 the peope as to this corporation.
.84 should reach no final conclusion I
it shall have considered the ordins
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