Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1915-07-02
THE
DUPTICTTT
OF THE
RAILROADS

the following viii be read with con-
siderable interest
such order as this for
ees the diversion Of money OF
these railways from necessary
repair and maintenance to
the building Of a new depot at
Durant in lieu OF the present ex-
isting depot. which is aceommo-
dating all the needs Of the pas
senger traffic at that place. es-
peciallyw hen such new depot is
simply a fancy showcase. built
not 10 satisfy the needs and re-
quirements Of the travelling pub
lie. but to satisfy the selfish van
fly OF those citizens of Durant
active in this matter"
In this one sentence from their pc
tition the Katy and Frisco show a
degree of duplicity which has not Of
ten been perpetrated upon an unsus-
pecting and confiding public-and.
at that. upon the peopel of a county
that contributes very materially TO
the earnings OF both companies. II
is there shown that they do not in
tend to erect depot at Durant. and
that they consider the progressive
people OF the community who have
rightfully asked for a decent station.
a lot of lunk heads. and vain. selfish
egotists. with only their vanity and
pride in view.
The statement that the present de-
pot is adequate for the needs OF the
travelling public at this place is so
ridiculous as TO require no answer.
Everyone who has ever taken the
trouble to investigate knows that the
depot was not sufficient in size or
accommodation ten years ago. and
that now. in times OF moderate traf-
fie. dozens Of passengers are forced
TO stand outside in the weather while
waiting for trains.
At recent hearing before the
Corporation Commission IT was
agreed between the railroad people.
the Commission and the representa-
tives of Durant. that the reads would
Immediately erect at Durant a station
not to exceed in cost $4,000, upon
plans that would be acceptable to
Durant. Both the Frisco and Katy
submitted plans for approval. The
Frisco plans were at once found en-
tirely out OF question, and those fur
nished by the Katy, while too small,
were acceptable in a general way.
People Of Durant employed an archi-
tect 10 prepare plans. around the
floor plan as suggested by the Katy,
and this gentleman's plans left the
Katy's plans unchanged except in one
particular, that Of providing a slight
ly larger waiting room.
1t having been agreed that the
railroads would build the station not
10 cost over $4,000, upon plans
suitable to Durant. and the architect
having prepared plans that suited
Duraat, and having secured bona
fide bid Of contractor to erect the
station for $4,000, or $1,000 less
than the railroads maximum, 1t
seemed that the problem was at last
solved, and that the railroads would
at last build the depot, as all obsta-
cles had been removed.
Then was held another of those
hearings before the Corporation
Commission. The railroad men were
there. but objected TO formal hear
ing on the technical grounds Of in
sufficient notice. The hearing was
held. however, and il was agreed that
the railroads architects would come
TO Durant and go over the plans in
detail with the local architect. and
that an agreement would be made
without the necessity Of a formal or
der from the Corporation Commis-