Evening journal., 1912-05-04
ABSOLUTE POWER 10
GIVE AWAY FRANCHISES
IN PROPOSEB CHARTER

Tc The Editor of THE EVENING
JOURNAL.
Sir: In this eighth letter l am to
consider the powers in the proposed
charter concering franchises, Sec. 5,
g and p. Sec. 5, G, gives the city
power to own and operate its public
utilities. l am in favor of the city
owning and operation public utilities.
When corporations owning franchises
become so greedy as to oppress the
people, their only remedy oftimes is
to take by condemnation processes
such utilities. A case in New Jersey
Just came to notice where the people
took over public utility, and are
saving the citizens many thousand
dollars per year. But upon examining
the proposed charter, it will be seen
that this provision is reduced to a
mere farce, for nowhere in the char
ter Is there provided any way where
by the people can act under the said
clause. What owner of special priyi-
leges would not endorse this pro-
vision, provided it were so fixed that
the people could in no way express
their will? l am perfectly willing to
give any man the right to paint the
sun black. because he can't do it.
Paragraph g gives power to officials
to operate public utilities, but para
graph p gives TO Office holders power
to dispose of franchises in any way
they desire, and this for a period of
tn rty years. / advocate a time limit
on all franchises. Franchises belong
to the people. They should never
let go the power to control them.
They should only lease them. II a
man owns a house, he puts a time
limit on the lease so that rents can
be periodically readjusted upon a
mutually fair basis. The same bust
ness principles should be employed
in municipal affairs. No body Of Off
GERS should be given the power. to
grant franchises upon any conditions
that it may desire. This power in
the charter is greater than the citi-
zens should delegate to others.
Look at these provisions from an
other standpoint, and further reasons
Will appear why the whole thing is q
hollow delusion as far as the city is
concerned. Suppose we are now under
the proposed charter. In two weeks a
thirty-year franchise is to expire
The people have been oppressed by its
owners. by exorbitant charges. The
people to the last man are 6esirous of
taking said franchise over, and op-
Grating the utility, but the majority
or office holders are in favor OF re-
newing the franchise for another
thirty years HOW can the people stop
such action on the part of the Of
fcials2 II cannot be done. Our legisla-
tive bodies are dominated by special
interests. Under the "one-man-sys
TEN" Of the charter, thirty-yeaI
franchise is as good as thirty
| thousand year franchise. If We're an
agent of the special interests. / would
say, adopt the charter. for under il
l will have the city in the hollow OF
my hand, and the citizens will become
Insignificant puppets. Is there any.
one who cannot see that as to givine
the people any special power these
two clauses are hollow pretences? Be.
cause all the power is put in the Of
nee holders, and they, as will be seer
later. are amply fortified IN the use o.
power against the will OF the people
these clauses are but delusion. a,
will be actually demonstrated if tn,
charter is adopted.
In my next letter | will commen
upon Section 13, the most unbusiness
like, improvident, and senseless bro
vision Of its kind that ever cam,
under my notice
Respectfully,
George Henry Dole.
Il. Ia arWNaN n