The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1915-04-10
CITIZENS PROTEST AGAINST
PROPOSED STREET RY.
FRANCHISE.
Action of Hennepin Co. Legislators
.e... Condemned. -
Civic and Commerce Assn. Severely
Criticised.

day night in the Assembly Hall of
the Court House, a storm of protest
was registered against the proposed
Enabling Act, a bill proposed by
Atty lockwood of the Twin City
Lines, which authorizes the City
Council to grant go year franchise
to the street railway. The meeting
was called to order by E. J. Miller.
The principal speaker was Atty J.
R. Coan, who gave the history of the
bill and the effect of its passage. He
characterized it as a vicious bill and
the fact that it sought to bind the
people of the next generation was
enough to kill it.
Mr.. Stiles P. Jones, who had re-
ceived some criticism as a theorist,
by those who favor the bill, pleaded
guilty to the charge. He showed
new theory, based on the practical
work of other cities as regards fran
chises. He said representations of
every element should be heard in
reaching a settlement, and that eight
years was too soon to grant the
franchise. We should work this thing
together and get the best franchise
in the u. S.
Alderman E. w. Hawley said that
the people of our city as a whole
should act with great moderation, al
though the street railway company
has taken every advantage at present.
There has not been time in past 10
years Cor won't be time in the next
ten years., when our city was SO short
of funds. Did you ever in all your
experience hear of any city sending
word to the Legislature that they did
not want power to treat with a Street
Railway Co.? Who ever heard of
Legislature after receiving such
message, saying that "You don't want
the power, but we are going to make
you take it anyhow? He said that the
City Council was unanimous in disap-
prevail of the present form of the bill
and granting of franchise at this
time. Mr.. Hawley referred to the
contract with the Gas Co. made by
the Council, which was considered as
good as any anywhere.
Mr.. c. Grimsrud said, we are vitality
interested in something for the future
and should see that the Enabling Act
offer to the people every protection.
He said therein contained NO provi-
sions to allow suburban traction lines
privileges to enter the city and that
the Street Railway CO. should be
compelled to allow the country lines
a right to physical connection to use
their tracks at reasonable rates. MFR.
Grimsrud spoke of the relations of the
business man and laborer in the
franchise matter. Representative De-
vold who opposed the bill, in the Hen
nepin CO. delegation, said it had pass
ed the committee, and he would sub
init minority report and try to kill
the bin. He referred to the Civic and
Commerce Assn. as "A gang of para
sites who are coupon clippers, max
ing their living by working the work
ing man. He severely condemned the
bill in four special charges, and said
he did not favor franchises, but ap-
proved public ownership. Rep. De-
void asked that the citizens appear in
/ the house on Friday night to protest
/ against its passage.
/ Alderman John Peterson opposed
/ the bill He said that the council is
not compelled to go into negotiations
with the Railway Co. and said: 81
will devote as much time as can to
defeat that franchise
Mr.. Louis p Harthill representing
the Trades and Labor Assemblies,
said, This franchise enables the
| Street Railway to rob the people for
another thirty years. He spoke of
the, neglect of the voters to heed the
warnings given as to the coming
franchise, and that the bill would. pass
the Legislature, he told them to use
their ballot to defeat the men who
voted for it.
| Mr.. Lynn Thompson of the Car
penter's Union gave important Stats
tics on the franchises in other cities
and the benefits of municipal owner
ship. Rev. Matt. Daily of Duluth and
Mr.. John Parten were the other
speakers. Elk. Cong. James Manahan
did not appear. There was much said
to the effect that the franchise was
not campaign issue, and the Civic
and Commerce Assn. had undertaken
to represent the people without the
peoples consent. Sen. S. A. Stock
we'll presented Resolutions of Pro-
test, which were adopted. A general
committee was appointed to visit the
capitol in protest.
The defeat of the Nolan Bill in 1918
after its veto by Governor Eberhardt
was the trick that took from the peo-
pie OF this county the right to regu-
late and grant franchises. The corin-
Gil is powerless and this bill would
give them that power. Now the
Legislature will force a renewal of
the franchise, which expires in eight
years.
There was but one Negro present at
this hearing, and few if any are inter-
ested in this question. Yet they elect
the people who make these laws, and
are directly responsible for much adj
verse legislation. They are not en-
ployed by the large public service
corporations. We do not know of
one Negro employed by the Twin
City Lines, as a Negro, some are
there who pass for white, yet there
are many. property owners and tax
payers, who have no interest in such
questions. The white man is alive
to his interest. We should be. The
Negro vote is faction in every civic
question, especially in woman stuff
rage, county option, the city charter,
and public service franchises. The
Star is alive and in touch. with the
i questions that concern our race. and