The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1910-01-23


franchise to expire in 1854?
1t is not the rolling stock, nor the
operating machinery which is valuable
but the franchises which warrant the
operation of the Traction Company
within the bounds of& aw.
SOME TRACTION BOOSTERS.
Among some of the boosters of the
Traction Company there are some of its
over-zealous friends who prate Justify
over the great good which the city has
derived from this corporation. It would
be surprising if there was listed all that
the Traction Company has done for the
city.
The record of facts discloses that it
has never done anything for the city,
except when compelled by law.
1t is not the aim nor the purpose of
the Caucasian to discredit or to reflect
on this company, but such is the record.
Indeed, if it had pursued a generous
policy towards the city by complying
with its part of the contract in keeping
in repair its share of the street without
the mandates of the courts; Il it had, in
| appreciation of the valuable grants and
concessions it has received, conceded
gracefully general system of trans
fers, it would have won inexpressible
rehown and would have had steadfact
friend in all the people.
Although its recent rating of five
cents to the Fair grounds is a eonees-
sion to public opinion, it is entitled to
and should receive the fullest recogni-
ton and many thanks for this favor
THE PURPOG OF THIS ARTICLE
The purpose of this article is to set
the issue of franchise extension and of
transfers right.
The great body of the people are be-
ing misled by the cry of transfers.
The attitflSse of the Council has also
mystifed many of the people. There
has been an effort to discredit the
Mayor The Traction Company men
would have it appear that the Mayor
and the minority of the Council are op-
posed to the referendum, which is as
ridiculous as it is untrue In their
1eagerness to do" the Mayor, the Trac-
tion men fixed an election for January
rs. The Mayor took his stand for the
law. He pointed out SO clearly how
illegal is the action of the Traction men
| IN this instance, that they have receded
from their original programme As
the Mayor had positively declined to
accede tssthe demand inesigning pro-
clamation of election and in naming
commissioners for such election, the
Traction men have resolved to hold the
election without the consent or approval
of the Mayor Indeed, the Traction men
| in the Council propose to hold the cleo
ton regardless of law even if it should
degenerate into farce.
THE TRACTION MEMS CONCERN
1t is not the legal proceedings of the
election which concern the Traction
men In the original programme it is
specified that the traction 1ne1f ii the
council will not be bound by the result
of this so-called election. The referen-
dun therefore is to be farcical. Should
the majority be in favor of granting the
extensions demanded, this will be suf-
hcient warrant for action Should the
majority be opposed to the grant, the
Traction men will not be bound by such
decision. They can say the people
The anticipation of the Traction men
rest in the belief that the majority will
sanction the transfer. All the Traction
men in the Council want is an excuse, a
pretext, to do what they may do ulti-
mately, regardless of the decree of the
court in the contest for transfers as
provided in the Lorenz franchise.
WHY SUCH HASTE?
Why is the Traction Company in suct
a hurry to swap transfers for extension
OF franchiSes5 Because It needs the
franchises badly. Because it can not get
the franchises for nothing. Because
j it must pay something for them Be
cause transfers is all that it has to pay
with, except money, and it does moi
want to pay money. Because the de
i cree of the court will divest it ot
transfers. And it says: Let is SWAP
these transfers for extensions while we
can, for we won't have them long, ane
then We will have TO pay real money
for extensions That is why the Trac-
Etion Company is in such a hurry to
swap. And it calls on the Traction mer
in the Council to carry out the trade.
In other words, the Traction Company
:. IS in the position of a man owning a
horse which is about to die on his
hands, and wants to sell him quick.