The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1913-06-14
SUPERIOR WANTS
CITY OWNERSHIP
Continued From PAGE l.

H
city commission indicates would not
be easy.
The company would put up a strong
fight against the efforts to acquire the
railway, a fight that would probably
drag through the courts for two or
three years.
In favor Of acquiring the traction
lines, Mr.. Van Week advanced the
following points, ii, $500. 49,.
The city and public has been re-
ceiving unfair setseatment from ~ the
traction company for the last 20
years. -. =.
The traction lines would be SELF
supporting. r.
The shops which are now in Duluth
would be moved to Superior, bringing
a large number of people to this
city. -. + -
Extensions to- Itasca, the steel
plant, bridge district, Connors Point.
on Twenty-first ..street, and other
points could be built.
Public Ownership Argument.
Edwin T. Harris, member of the
Socialist party, followed with an ar
eument for public ownership in which
ne contended that besides enabling
the city to secure much needed ex-
tensions Of lines, 1t would make it
possible to greatly improve the con-
o1t'ons under which the employees of
the company work.
Under public ownership the street
car system would be operated more
with a view to serve the people than
to make money!, said he.
Otto F. Eick. president of the
trades and Labor assembly, urged
that action be taken toward ACQUIRING
the system for the city. Much better
service could be provided under pub
Tic ownership than at present, he
commended.
6. A. B. Allen, representing the
Painters union, called attention ia
the crowded condition Of the cars al
times. On the South End cars condi.
lions are particularly bar, said he, Al
one time there were 157 people on
one car. Young boys and girls were
crowded against each other in q
manner that should under no circum.
stances be permitted. If the public
owned the lines, such condition.
would not be permitted.
Working Conditions. 49,:
J. P. Clemens told of the WORKING
conditions of the street railway en-.
T. loyes. They were compelled to re.
port some time before their cars &c
out. For this time they receive nc
pay. Many of them have their 11.,urs
| OF service spread out over 20 of the
"a. Before they are eligible for serv.
! Ice they are compelled to work 9
| week for which they receive no com.
pensation. 81 .-s
J. T. Murphy stated that the othe,
| speakers had covered the ground
very thoroughly and saw no reason
| for dissenting from what had beer
| said. There was no affection for tn.
street railway company In Superior
The city: could, get results through
| public ownership and the system
should be taken over 30 that needed
extensions. and better service may b.
had. ..S :, s-@S& G> III hi
! !. 1T is true that the city will not b,
able to operate az cheaply d. as TIL,
present company" said Mr.. Murphy
There are two reasons for this, frs
the men would be treated better, an,
secondly we would have more car
and more satisfactory service for tn,
public.'' 5#l,t .g.
r=s5 Il. f.s5 Up to People. s Il 81.
John M. McCabe contended that i
was not for those present at the meet
Ing to decide what should be don,
about smunicipa d wne rship The. poo
i PIE BY overwhe Ginning vote III at sSs I'll
sprinE elect n, expr ssseds them
|. I selys rtn m nlcipa1 ynsr