The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-12-20
Council Favors, If Possible,
Annulment of Franchise
Unless Needed Improve
ments Are Made.
OFFICIALS IGNORED
THE ClTY'S DEMAND
And Now Mayor and Board
Will Probably Journey to
indianapolis and Present
an Ultimatum.

Annulment OF the city franchise Of
the Terre Haute, indianapolis and
Eastern traction company, or immedi-
ate Improvement OF the city service.
In demanded by the city council. hear
tily seconded by Mayor Zimmerman
and the rest of the corps of city off,
cials. During the last five or six meet.
ings the matter has been discussed
and "cussed" The street car company
has been requested. pleaded with.
warned and threatened, but there's
nothing doing"
The board OF works has visited the
high officials OF the company at In
dianapolis on two occasions and are
now promising another visit for the
purpose OF demanding action. The
company has been promising faithful
ly to repair the cars. and tracks and
to take the freight car tracks out of
Glen Miller. However, whenever ac-
tion IL demanded by the city there is
always some excuse brought forth by
the T. II. I. & e. people.
What the Mayor Said.
Tf It was within my power to re-
woke the franchise I'd do it in min
ute." declared Mayor Zimmerman. "If
we could get the company on the hip
we'd put them out in minute. but
the trouble is to get them. Well do
the best we can. though, and as soon
as there In enough information at
hand IL will be taken to court. The
company IN certainly giving rotten
service"
Practically all the councilmen had
some pet names" to call the street
cars. OF Richmond Frank Waidele in.
troduced his "culvert complaint" as
old as Richard Carries story in
"Mary's Lamb" and then stated that
some OF the cars were IN such bad
condition that 1t was necessary for
the crews TO stop and repair them
several times during trip. Waidele
declared himself in favor OF annuling
the franchise In order to bring the
street car people to terms. He said
"there Is no sense in delaying this
matter any longer"
Two collisions between cars and
one with farm wagon which almost
resulted In the death Of an aged farm
or. Ia one days record for the street
cars at Seventh and Main streets, ac-
cording to Councilman Harry Vessel.
These collisions were due. not to the
carelessness of the motormen. but to
the poor brakes on the cars. When
the farm wagon was hit. throwing the
aged man to the pavement. the car
was not stopped tor half square.
according to the councilman.
Don't Mind the Speed.
I'VE wouldn't mind the speed so
much" was said. when there was a
suggestion OF speed limit for cars,
'but II there was only some way to
stop the cars"
II is the general opinion that about
half the cars on the city lines could
be condemned from point OF safety
and also from a sanitary standpoint.
Waidele said on rainy day a person
had to take an umbrella into the car
to keep from getting wet and then
to stand up because the rain kept the
seats soaked In winter, according to
Mr., Waidele. either the cars were
freezing cold or the heaters are so
hot that clothes are scorched. He
said the vestibules of the cars where
the motormen stand. are very cold.
Richmond is big enough to at least
have decent street cars" he cried.
"The time has come when we've got
10. do something. It's disgrace
to the city"
The board OF works will probably
make another visit to the officials in
Indianapolis and following that. il
deemed wise by City Attorney Gard.
ner, the matter will be taken to
court