El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-08-10

VOTE AGAINST the street closing ordnance
y next Tuesdays election viii be vote FOR the
permanent benefit Of FL Paso, for the reason that
# the majority Of at Tuesdays election de-
cline sanction the closing Of the public street crossing
now existing at Main and Durango streets opposite the
chamber Of commerce building, and vote No, the effect
VIII be to repeal and nufy the improper and injurious
ordinance enacted during the closing days of the Lea ad
luiustration by which the sinking Of the tracks through
the heart Of the city is authorized
against the street closing ordinance next Tues
day is the only method by which citizens can express then
dsapprovaI the tracsinking ordinance; the track
sinking ordinance is already IN effect and binding forever
the city, unless the street closing ordnance shoua IAN
at the polls Tuesday Bonds for building Big storm
sewer however, would su have to be voted; but the
election next Tuesday Is the real test as to Wnelher me
people desire to approve OF TO repudlate the track
vote for the street closing ordinance IS a vote in
favor Of the tIacsinng ordinance; vote against the
street closing ordinance vote against the rackslng
ordinance That IS plain enough for any voter TO ompIe
bend. The whole city Is interested not merely the
"vest end"
The 4open subway" proposal in the form in which It
was adopted by the Lea council IS against public policy
serious to the future welfare OF the city OF II
Paso and all its people It is better defeat the ordinance
and to the future to work out better arrange
ent better to suuer the annOyanceS ana even Ln Dangers
Of the present situation than adopt permanent and
unacceptable plan something that VIII not prove satisfactory
after brief actual trial
Undoubtedly there viii be many persons who viii be
influenced BY considerations of immediate partial relief
and who viii msed into voting for an arrangement
that the city Of the future viii damn IN its heplessness
The permanent welfare Of this city of $1,000 Inhabitants
and over S1OOOOOOOO invested capital rests with the
next by voting against the street closing ordnance
The tracksnkng ordinance enacted hastily with
out public hearing discussion 1t cannot be directly
amended repealed, but It can be rendered null and VOID
BY z majority vote next Tuesday against the street
closing ordinance That viii leave the field open Tor new
proposals and new and better arrangement
Let It be understood that If the open subway plan
shall be upheld polls Tuesday by majority vote IN
fvr of fe streetcosing ordinance the railroads viii be
confirmed IN their locations through the heart OF the city
and through the part Of the city Tor all TIME 10
come No change be made once the open sub
way" becomes fixture Scores Of blocked streets viii
forever remain blocked, scores OF grade crossings VIII
remain as dangerous now A few streets IN the
down town section VIII be carried over the sunken tracks
at the direct and continuing expense OF all the rest OF the
city for all time to come.
In the enactment Of the tracsining ordinance, the
people duly protected either on the legal SIDE OF
On The engineering side Let the slate be wiped clean and
trust to future city administrations and future railroad
officials to work plan which viii be 1aII to all con
oerned, and practical and more desirable lnan the
proposed open subway plan.
In The ordnance-which already has the force Of law
conditioned only the action Of the people N closing the
street crossing and voting bonds as above
are two paragraphs which should be carefully studied They
appear to constitute complete abdcatOn Of public rights
which The Herald deems e vital 10 retain N the nnuS u
the pgople- OF be deemed advisable necessary 10
abdicate them part this time, certain specific rights
should be specifically retained, as The Herald purposes TO
indicate
Tie paragraphs to which reference has Just been made
are numbers II and 49, which read follows (he portion
omitted and indicated by dotted line does not affect the
purport Of the portions reprinted here, but covers dit
feTeHt tOPic)-
section IL. the said Railroad Company
has completed the work required to be done under
mis- ordinance. then and thereupon the several
ordinances of the City of FL Iaso, now III effect or
hereafter passed relating the speed OF railroad
engines cars and the necessity Of ringing
OF locomotive bells the blowing Of locomotive
whistles the stopping switching Of trains. the
length Of trains the maintenance OF gates or
fagmen WatChmen at street crossings snal
cease to applicable TO the part Of said railroad
depressed
section I8. after the depression Of said tracks
as herein provided the said Railroad company
operation o engines, cars and trains over
through and upon the Lshaul be under and IN
accordance with its rules and regulations and
without Interference by the City by ordinances
rules or regulations, save and except reasonaple
regulations abatement of uulsances,
said City shall not have the power ana
hereby guarantees that IL VIII not at any time
REQUIRE said FL Paso q Southwestern Railroad
Company abandon the use OF said tracks or
remove them any other place or cover said open
subway. except above provided
ordinance repeating this ordinance any part OF
the same which conflicts with the same or any
part thereof. burdensone upon said
Railroad Company than the provisions hereof or
hat requires said Railroad Company TO do any
track depressed than is required hereby
The phrase except above provided in the last
sIE1, L