Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1910-10-20

not believe these companies are pay
ing their just shared taxation in this
|eity. as compared with what the citi-
zens are paying.
Worked for Freight Franchise.
In spite of this effort the bill was
recommitted-an killed. At that
time Senator Dubois said some of The
traction people told him they were
sorry they had allowed the passage
Of certain bills affecting them. They
talked just as though they had the
power over Congress which every one
in Washington gives them credit of
possessing.
However impressive to the gallery
may have been Senator Scott's decla-
ration respecting traction taxes and
their effort on his own pocketbook,
his subsequent efforts in behalf of the
same Companies did not escape notice.
The most noteworthy was his attempt
to put through a bill of Senator Gal
linger's to turn over the streets TO
the traction companies for freight and
express service. Scott reported this
bin from the District Committee Feb.
1, 1907. AS introduced, the bill
placed no limitation upon the freight
service. The whole city might have
been converted into a freight yard for
any system that could have entered
the city over Senator Elkins Great
Falls trolley line. -
AS Scott reported the bill, it limited
the time for. operation of freight
trains between midnight and $500
o'clock In the morning. Naively the
project was supported by Senator
Scott as follows: JF
How He Supported the Bill.
There can be no reasonable OBJ
lection to granting the authority con-
ferred by this bill. In all other cities
of the country and on every suburban
line there is such service. The Dis
trict of Columbia has been without
Il until now because there has been no
legislative authority therefor. 1t is
understood that the service is not
generally profitable, but its value to
the communities In which it has been
operated has been clearly demon
strated. For the convenience of the
many thousands who live in the sub
urbs and equally in the interests of
the greater city population, this
measure should be promptly enacted. !
"Your committee are assured that
the public service companies concern
ed will be judicious with respect to
the hours of operation and will see to
it that their express and fuel cars will
neither interfere with passenger traf-
fic nor in any other way be trouble
some to the general public"
The Senate passed the bill on Feb.
10, virtually without debate. In the
House the bill died in the Committee
on the District of Columbia, and i
neither this freight franchise nor that
for. the M. street trolly has gone past
the House. The Pennsylvania Rail
road is credited with influence
enough to prevent the entrance into
Washington of any competitor, even
under pretense of merely permitting
the trolley lines of Washington to be
converted into common carriers of
freight during early morning hours.
Wanted, ''Suitable'' Judges.
In his home city Senator Scott is
considered to be a very good friend
Of the traction interests. Back in
1902 the Wheeling Traction Company
was seeking a franchise from the
City Council which was to be elected.
Bill Cassell, as employee Of Senator
SCOTS Central Glass Works, was a
member of the Republican Executive
Committee. One Fair, councilmanic
was being opposed because
he was considered too close to the
traction gang. Senator Scott got
busy. Congressman Hubbard, who
is opposing Scott for reelection in
the event of the Republicans carrying
the next Legislature, made public the
letter which he says Scott wrote at
that time, as follows:
washington, D. c., Nov. 81, 1902.
Mr.. Will Cassell, care Central
Glass Works. Wheeling, W.
Va:
Dear Will wish you would
do all you can to assist Mr.. Fair,
who is candidate for Council in
my ward. OF course you can
help him good deal by appoint
ing suitable judges, as you are
Commissioner with that power
rrSL .r.s1-s.--. x,o,, IN odvanoc for