Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-09-18
n. |. |. & 7. SOON TO
START WORK UPON
NORTH SIDE TRACKS
COMMlS SSlONER DOUGHERTY IN.
FORMED COMPANY is READY
TO PROCEER WITH COMPl, J.,
ANCE OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
COMMISSION RULING

The Northern Illinois Light and
Traction Company will. according 10
a report made TO the city council last
night by Commissioner Dougherty,
start throwing its North Columbus
street tracks over to the middle OF
the thoroughfare and shortly there
after begin placing crossing over
the Rock island tracks in conformity
with the public utilities commission
mandate. for violation OF which trolley
officials came dangerously near severe
punishment.
The report made by Commissioner
Dougheriy. he said, was authorized by
l.. W. Hess, general superintendent
Of the Northern Illinois ldght ana
Traction Company, but did not fix
any definite day for getting the work
under way The Rock Island, it Was
announced, would lay the crossing
across its tracks and be reimbursed
for its labors by the local company.
Mayor Resents Slight to City.
The commissioner statement II
view Of events which led up to the
fight against the \. |, l.. d T., brought
the wrath OF the mayor upon the Fuo'
lie utilities commission and its tactics
in handling the local case. The city 5
nOuncemcnt OF the date of the con
tempt proceedings, and as yet mas
gotten no notification from the com
mis- sion as to what punishment had
been meted out to officials Of the com.
pany for their failure to comply with
the commission ruling which com
PEELED installation OF the crossing on
or before Aug, l..
Someone was grossly in contempt
said the MAYOR, and should have been
severely reprimanded, if not punished,
TOR their defiance of the commission
order, but whether or not they were
punished is unknown to me, nor any
other members of this council,
"The commission has a strange way
of doing business. if this case is an
example Of their work We received
no word from the commission clerk
notifying us OF the contempt hearing
and We are still waiting for something
official on what they did to the com
pany after they We're ordered to get
busy and comply With the decision
rendered last April.
Should Get "Jacking lp."
II personally think the commission
should be given a little lacking uD'
for the manner in which it has *
nored Ottawa on a thing so vital to
Ottawa and its people. We have a
right to know what took place a. that
meeting a week ago, and | am going
to find out just why We We're not
notified Of the proceedings so We could
have representation there to protect
OttaWaS rights.
Attorney Glenn Weese speaking in
defense of the commissions actioh,
said that, in his opinion, il was not
essential that Ottawa be represented
at the hearing in contempt, because
the city really was not a party tui
those proceedings. 1T was a matter
purely between the commission aui
thu company, the attorney ruled
and for that reason il is probable
they deemed it unnecessary TO notify
Ottawa Of the hearing to ascertain
whether or not the street car com
pany was IN contempt
To Repair Bridge Approach.
Commissioner DOughCrty also stat
ed he had been notified the company
was getting ready to repair the pave
m"nt ON the north approach 10 tho
Illinois River bridge. Men from lie
G., O. a T., he was told would be-
used to put the brick back in their
original position.