The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1913-08-21

council the company was to be given
an extension of time to construct the
double track, but if the company is
unwilling to keep this agreement the
city has demanded that the tracks
either be taken up entirely or that
the company forfeit the right to lay
double track in the street and seek
a new franchise for a single track.
The right to lay tracks from one end
of Ashland avenue to the other was
sought by the company in order to
block the coming Of another interur
ban railway company and the council
holds that if the company is to play
the dog in the manger by holding this
street against competitors, it must
meet the provisions Of its grant from
the city.
Due notice was served on the COM
pany more than two months ago, de-
handing that the bridge over Pike
River at Ashland avenue, be provid-
ed for, but like other requests, the no
tice of the city has been treated with
scant courtesy. The building of this
bridge and the construction Of the
tracks on Caledonia street were para
mount considerations in the passage Of
the ordinance giving the company
franchise rights. Men who were mem
bers Of the council when this ordi-
nance was passed acted in good faith
and it was this provision that secured
for the company the franchise rights
over Ashland avenue and Caledonia
street. The company has shown de-
sire to WEIGH on the project.
Manager Stearns has declared that
he is not ready to say that the com
pany will live up to it's agreement and
has intimated that the company will
seek hearing before the railroad
commission to secure the setting aside
of portions of the franchise. 1t is
probable that the city council would
be willing to permit some delay in
laying Of tracks on Caledonia street
if the company at once proceeded with
the building Of the bridge over Pike
River, but this bridge is the first con-
sideration. For years the people on
the north and south sides have been
fighting to secure the opening Of this
street and one Of the reasons was to
secure an extension of electric rail
way service.
The company has ignored demands
of the city for the repair Of pave
ments between the tracks and the
plain duty of the company under it's
franchise is to maintain these pave
ments. Main street is like corduroy
road as a result of poor work done
by the company in relaying the pave
ments after the building of the dou-
BILE tracks. No effort has been made
to improve these conditions, regard
less of the orders given by the mayor
and the council. In many places
about the city the pavement between
the tracks has been allowed to settle
making sink holes in which water
gathers and remains as menace to
the health of the people of the city.
The Milwaukee company now has
complete MONOPOLY over the public
utility corporations Of the city and the
mayor and members of the common
council feel that the time has come
for a fight to a finish. Under the
order issued by unanimous vote of the
council the company is given thirty
days to meet the demands Of the city
and it is certain that failure to make
arrangements to meet these demands
will result in the stopping of the
operation Of the line if there is no
other way to secure compliance with
franchise rights.
Mayor Head declared this morning:
cit has come to the parting of the
ways. Either the people or the rail
way company are to control and am
going to fight this battle for the peo-
| pie. If we are beaten after taking
the last possible resort-an appeal to
the courtsI shall at least feel that
the officials Of the city have done their
full duty in attempting to secure for
the people the benefits for which they
gave the company the valuable right
to use the street. There is not going
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