Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-22
Flat Rail Referendum
(Paciio OUTLOOK


We never hesitate to acknowledge
the corn when it is con us" For once
the referendum seems to work against
the interests of the people and in favor
of a selfish corporation. 1t works only
to the extent of causing a delay, and
this is only one case as against
dozen or more in this city where the
direct legislation provisions of the
charter have worked the other way,
and have protected the interests of the
people.
To repeat what we have often ar
gued, direct legislation is like a court;
it is, in fact, a court of last appeal
on law making. We all recognize that
our courts may be and often are mis-
used. They are, indeed, the chief bull
wark of the special interests in their
fight against the people. But no one
on that account proposes the abolition
of the courts. So, even If it should
happen that the initiative and refer
endum are used repeatedly to defeat
the peoples Will-tempoIarily, for in
the long run the people can enforce
their desires-nevertheles 1t would
not serve with any sane man as an
argument that they should be sacrl-
ficed.
our city engineer after making a
careful study of the practice in other
cities, recommends to council that 1t
pass an ordinance requiring the street
car companies to use the girder or flat,
grooved rail on paved streets when
they come to relay their tracks. This
was a very mild piece of legislation,
as it would only involve few miles
of track a year, and the added cost
of the grooved rail over the T variety
now in use is not very great. Still
it would cost sOmething-there is no
denying that.
But the advantage of the flat rail
over the other is very considerable.
Vehicles cross it at right angles with
no perceptible jar. 1t does not plnch
the buggy wheel that runs along side
the rail, for it is flush with the paw
ing with only n small cut in the cen
ter for the flange of the car wheel.
It's use means a great saving on the
wear and tear of carriages and wagons
and increased comfort to the occu-
pants of all vehicles that use the spacs
between or near the tracks-as all
vehicles must more or less.
Because of this small increase OF
cost, AMI entirely regardless of the
public interest, the street car COM
panies, or parties evidently represent
lnR IneIn, put lllibuSll n ANLNi 'rAiN' -
petition, and the law is hung up until
the people can have chance to vote
on it.
We recognize the legal right Of the
railroads to adopt this line of pro-
cedure. We even admit a certain kind
of a moral right of the corporation to
look out for its poclSetbook But we
hold that it is mighty poor politics
lust the same. and that the railway
heads were badly advised.
The city is defeated for the time be-
ing. In the judgment of council the
matter is not of enough Importance to
Justify a special election. So the roads
get a small and a cheap triumph out
of the trick. Presently, however, there
will be special election for some
cause, and this issue will be put on
the ballot. Probably that will happen
within six months. Then the people
will vote on the question of flat rail
for their convenience or rail for the
saving of a few dollars for the roads.
Which way will they vote? Does any
one question the outcome? The grooVed
rail will carry by a majority of five to
one: and If an initiative should be
started about that time compelling the
companies to go back and do over all
the paved streets, instead of merely
the new paved streets, that would
carry, too, by good majority.
What kind of reckless blindness pos
sesses these utility corporations, clos
ing their eyes to the plainest signs OF