The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1916-06-22
THURSDAY, JUNE %, 1916.
Treats Elevation Fairly.

with intelligence and fairness in hand
ling the big problem Of elevation OF
tracks. At its meeting on Monday
evening it paved the way for this, the
biggest problem that has been put up
to Kenosha in years, to be settled by
the whole people Of the city. 1t pro-
vided for three things-a protest
against street vacation, an appeal to
the courts to give the people a. chance
to file every protest they desired, and
lastly submission of the matter to the
people. All Of this was done that
there might be no idea on the part
of any one that the council had acted
hastily.
We believe that a majority Of the
members of the common council are in
favor of the elevation plan and that
they are favorable to elevation under
the order which has been handed down
by the commission with slight modifi-
cations. The members of the council
have shown willingness to subserve
their own opinions as to elevation to
the wishes Of the people and to accept
the advice of the people. The aldermen
have fostered protests in order that
the fullest possible argument might be
had in regard to the benefits and the
objections to elevation. The appeal to
The courts from the order may never
be prosecuted, but it is the part Of
safety to have some anchor which
would protect the city in case the peo-
pie voted that they did not want ele
walton. AS the question is one which
effects the welfare of the entire city
The action of the council has put a real
question up to the people of the city.
The fairness of the council in giving
the people every possible chance to de-
eide this question for themselves should
invite fair treatment for the people.
Track elevation is big subject and
the ordinary man who has not been
in places where tracks have been ele-
waited is liable to get the wrong idea
of just what it means. The referendum
vote on this question is going to be an
important factor in determining the
attitude of the council in the future
to the proposition. IF the people vote
against elevation it is probable that
the members of The council@will use
every weapon they have to prevent
the order of the commission being car
ried out. IF it is shown that it is the
will of the majority of Kenosha peo-
nIo 4ho+ fyoo1xe has o1nyyatn1 Than tho
council is going to just as strongly
seek to bend the will of the minority
to that Of the majority. The council
is not going to wage any minority
fights in the name of the city and it
will be up to the individuals to carry
on these fights,
1t will probably be month before
the question of elevation is submitted
for a referendum vote and in this
month the people of the city should
make it their first duty to and out just
what the elevation order relating to
Kenosha provides for There will be
no danger that there will not be or
ganization among the people who OPP
pose elevation. Some of these people
seem to believe that elevation is prac-
tically confscation of their property
ON the part of the railway company.
Others see in the elevation plan a
chance to reap great benefits from
claims for damages. The people who
favor elevation will be forced to do
some organizing if they are to get the
separation of the grades which has so
long been demanded. The reasonable
ness of tho present order of the COM
mission has been proclaimed by every
man who has made any study Of ele-
walton proble-as. It's reasonah1"~~ee is
expected to appeal to nearly every one
in the city who is not selfshly inter
ested or who does not fancy that his
property is going to be damaged.
The call for the people favoring ele-
walton to unite must be heard now and
they must be active in the support Of
elevation if the council is to be
advised that the people of the whole
city are in favor of it.
1t is possible that the officials of the
city will have played fair in vain.
That the railroad commission and the
courts will hold that the city of Keno
sha may not back up on-its own petit
ton for track elevation.
Men who are wise in the affairs of
the commission and in connection with
laws relating to elevation declare that
there is a serious doubt as to the right
of the city to withdraw its demand.
Whatever may be the legal phase of
the question the members of the coun-
ell have shown their intent to be fair
not with few of the people-but
with all the people. If the city had
slammed its door to protest against
elevation the slamming of the door is
chargeable against administrations
other than the one now in power at
the city hall. This administration has
been representative of all the people
and it is entitled to credit for fair play.