The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-06-17
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THE GEARY STREET RAILROAD

This is matter of sentiment, but of business,
and should be quietly and carefully considered as
such. There is something to be said both sides
of the question: and the valid arguments one side
should be carefully weighed those on the other,
To begin with the alternative of municipal ownership
will be to advertise for bids for franchise Any
real competition would be very unlikely and the road
would ultimately pass the United Railroads, with
very little profit TO the city The question is whether
any profit be got by municipal ownership and
operation There is doubtless large possible profit
in operating street railroad the proposed route
at cent fare The supervisors estimate, upon the
figures submitted by the city engineer. that besides
taking of interest and depreciation, the net
receipts during the 40 years which will eapse before
the last bond is paid will repay the outlay three times
This seems to correspond with the estimate of
the United Railroads company, which has capitalized
its road fully three times the of construction,
with franchises running far less than 40 years.
Aside from possible profit by operation, either
by contribution the treasury reduction of fares
there is unquestioned advantage of which
certain-we shall get modern road. The unsightly
poles and dangerous wires will disappear. The power
will be applied through conduit in the street, is
done elsewhere in cities which resolutely gov
erned In place of the wheel wrenching rails which
deface streets shall have the modern
grooved rail- over which wheels can pass with ease
and safety. We shall doubtless have the most ap-
proved patterns of and generally up to date
road and equipment This object lesson in city
not but have most powerful effect in securing
similar improvements from the United Railroads,
either from voluntary effort by supplying the
sary evidence that requirements which may be made
by the city authorities reasonable in the eye
of the law
ANOTHER UNQUESTIONED ADVANTAGE
WILL BE THE REMOVAL OF THE MOTIVE
FOR THE CORRUPTION OF PUBLIC OFF,
GALS 1t is the popular belief that these valuable
franchises usually obtained by corrupt 1t
is known that no safeguards of the law prevent
corruption when both parties willing The dis
graceful disclosures at St Louis, recalling similar
revelations other Cities show plainly enough
that neither wealth standing in the community
appearance of re5pcctaby is any guarantee against
the foulest practices by possessing such attributes
Possibly the strongest argument for municipal owner
ship of public utilities is the removal of the motive
and the opportunity for bribery great scale. The
possible minor populations connected with opera
ton are less dangerous and do not saddle the
munty with permanent obligations There there
fore, three advantages of which certain-the
object lesson Of modern road the removal of one
motive for corruption, and the benefit of any incre
ment arising from the growth of the city.
We are of the opinion that we had better try the
experiment. Graver responsibilities may call forth
stronger effort management intrusted with the
lives OF our citizens can be Indifferent where
mere property is involved. The people have soemny
declared their intention to acquire these utilities
would show great instability of character shrink
from the first opportunity carry out expressed
intent This particular experiment is quite within our
means. We do not how there be loss i'll
the investment, and if there proves to be osss in
operation the charter provides way out through
leasing 1t is step toward better control of
our and street service by making possible the
expiration of all franchises at the same time which
is of the utmost Importance There is strong
feeling in favor OF municipal ownership which will
never cease to exert itself until experiment has
been tried.