The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1913-02-23
The Traction Company and Its
Franchises.

full public view, seeking the extern
sion of their franchises, which will
not terminate for years to come, and
for which is offered what it would
style universal transfers.
What is the value of the proposed
transfers as an equivalent TO the ex-
tension Of these franchises, which
II secured, would enhance the hold
ings of the Traction Company to an
inestimable limit in dollars and
cents.
A conservative estimate of the
Traction Company's holdings, I'M
GLIDING its franchises, is over a mil
zion dollars, and this valuation is
increasing steadily with the growth
OF this community. What will be the
value of the holdings of the Trac-
ton Company in ten years, and in
twenty years, and in thirty years?
From this prospective view is it
unreasonable to demand that the
Traction Company shall be required
to pay a fixed percentage of their
receipts to the City of Shreveport,
il not now, at least beginning in say
three years, or five years?
Since the day when the first draft
OF the ordinance of the Traction
company was submitted to the spe-
cial meeting of the board Of dlrec-
tors of the State Fair, OF the Mer-
chants Association, of the Real Es-
tate Exchange, Of the Chamber OF
Commerce, with a small attendance
OF their members, there have been
pointed out shortcomings tn the
proposed ordinance, which have
been freely discussed On street cor
ners preceding the Mayors eff1cial
communication in which he direct
ed the attention Of the company,
which are trivial in comparison to
m insistence that tho Traction
Company shall pay into the city
treasury a fixed percentage Of their
receipts, as is required in cities
which are deriving the practical
benefits accruing as compensation
from the franchises granted.
It may be said, without reflection
on the present administration, that
little Of public value remains within
the control Of the municipality, and
that little should be held in reserva-
ton for an equivalent commensu-
rate with the privileges desired by
the individual or the corporation
seeking such grants.
It is not long since that the eau
casian pointed out the evil policy
arising from the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
the few at the expense Of the public.
Such a policy is detrimental to
prosperity. Unfortunately there is
little value which has been reserved
to the city, except it may be OBJ
tanned from the Traction Company
in consideration of the privileges
now being sought in the extension
OF franchises.
Are we, the citizens of Shreveport
Of today, going to concede to the
Traction Company a grant beyond a
reasonable estimate of its value in
years to come without an equiva-
lent?
Are we, bound in honor, going to
deprive our descendants, our chill
dren of today, to them the right to
demand and to exact from the Trac-
ton Company fair equivalent for
. renewal of the franchises when
they shall terminate, the first in
comparatively few years, or shall
we, as progressive, good citizens,
protect the future by exacting from
the Traction Company only that
which is reasonable and fair, and
which prevails in cities whose as
sets, in part, come from the per-
centage of the receipts of street
railways, the compensation paid
into the treasury of these cities.
But why should the Traction
Company demand the extension of
their franchises, when it is their
privilege to make such improve
ments and such connections in their
service as must increase their daily
revenues and enhance the value of
their property?
II is very probable and il will be
no surprise if the suggestion that
The Traction Company be required
20 pay into the city treasury fxed
per centage Of the receipts shall be 1
treated with contempt, but this will
IN nowise discomfort the citizens
Who are more concerned in The well
fare Of the community than in the
ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of the few, which is
not prosperity.