The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1916-12-29
100000 LOSS TO
C.G. N. TOREVAMP
MERRIWETHERST.
Manager Schultz and Attor-
| ney Hope Argue Against
Proposed Work.
TWO LOTS WOULD BE
DESTROYED, HE SAYS
Commissioners Will Meet Tues.
day and Outline City's
Program.

The grading of Merriwether street
will impose damage exceeding $780,
900 on the c. G. & n. Railroad, &C
cording to John A. Hope, an attorney
of s.. Louis, who represented the rail-
road at the meeting of the Merri-
wether condemnation commissioners
before Cit" Counselor knehans yes
terday. The proposition is being Wig
orously opposed by the railroad be-
cause Of the heavy expenses the grad
ing of the street will necessitate.
The meeting was attended by Col.
L. b. Houck, Ralph H. Schultz, the
general manager Of the railroad; Ma
jor Brooks, now temporary City En-
gineer; Senator T. L. Lane, and three
condemnation commissioners, A. c.
Mastering, c. c. Hawley and Dennis
Scivally, the County Highway Engi-
neer. 1t was decided to hold meet
ing Of these commissioners Tuesday
morning, when the report of the COM
mittee'S work will be submitted to the
City Counselor.
Mr.. Schultz, in outlining the disad-
vantageS of the proposed grading, at
tempted to prove that the railroad
would be damaged to the extent OF
! $25, 900 alone on the valuation of two
. lots at the intersection of Merriwether
and Fountain streets. 1t is contem-
plated to abolish this grade crossing
by constructing bridge across the
tracks, and part of these lots would
have to be used for this purpose.
These lots, Mr.. Schultz said, were to
be used in the future for switching
purposes. II the bridge is erected, the
property would be made worthless to
the railroad and would have to be
abandoned.
Col. Houck was not prepared to give
any lengthy details concerning the
grading. He said he could not esti-
mate the damage that might be done
to the railroad property and the rail
road proper. He thought, however
that the bridge, if necessary, could be
rs feet long and approximately &C
feet wide.
When the franchise was granted the
railroad by the city for the track or
Merriwether in 1900, it was provided
that only one track could be laid Ac-
cording to General Manager Schultz
there are now five tracks. He also
admitted that the water tank of the
railroad extended nearly seven feet in
to the street.
Senator Lane was present as spe-
cial counsel for the city. Before the
ordinance for the re-establishment OF
the Merriwether grade was passed he
was employed by the city to take care
of the city's interest in this matter
Since then City Counselor Knehans
has been appointed.
A canvass of the property owners
along Merriwether street, made by
the commissioners, shows that ma
iority favor grading down the hill,
while there are a number who have
Joined the railroad representatives in
opposing the proposition. The entire
street from Spanish to Sprigg street
would have to be rebuild in order to
bring the grade of the street to nor
nal condition.
City Counselor Knehans said last
night that he did not know whether
the city would be obligated to defray
the expenses of the construction of
the proposed viaduct, or whether the
city had the right to compel anyone
to contribute to the fund necessary
for this work. 1t was the intention of
the commissioners, who are authorized
to assess damages or benefits against
the property owners, to have the rail-
road pay one-half of the amount nee
essary for the bridge.
The commissioners investigated the
property along the railroad track in
order to get an estimate of the value