The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1919-06-12

treet railway outfit. Indications point
pretty clearly to the fact that most of
he city officials are in favor Of the
,lan and it has the support Of lot Of
The people of the city who have no
)flicial designation but who take just as
much interest in the affairs Of the city
ind its future as lot Of men who wear
,ficial badges.
These men are almost a unit iii the
leclaraticn that they do not believe
n government ownership municip-
il ownership" or any similar idea but
hey want to help in a great movement
or the advancement of Kenosha. To
Use the words Of one Of them they do
Tot believe g Kenosha will ever get to
irst base in the game of progress with
he present transportation facilities.
These men want service and not a
ailWay but they believe that it is
necessary to buy railway in order
o get any thing like service. They
want service now and for this reason
he sooner they can buy a railway the
ooner they can cut the letters which
ave bound Kenosha and open the way
or its advancement.
Time is an important element in the
arrying out Of the plan that has been
uggested. Hundreds Of thousands
res millions--of dollars are waiting in
testment for the city of Kenosha to
rive the assurance that the transpor-
alton problem is to be solved and solv
ID in q way that will insure service.
We had been strong for the taking
ver Of all of the utilities held by the
Wisconsin Gas and Electric Company
nut we appreciate the handicap which
nust surround such plan We appre-
late that it would cost vast sum Of
money and that it would bring to the
ity vast number of complications
which will demand lot Of labor to
ring about the solution of the prob
ems. What the city wants right now
transportation and these men who
lave studied the matter are of the
opinion that it can be best secured by
)uying the railway lines and leaving
o future consideration the purchase
# other utilities owned by the same
ompany.
Buying railway is something that
tiles do only once in their history
md there are not great many preced-
nts to 60 by and even if there were
he conditions in Kenosha are unusual
The city to properly settle this mat
Or must take the route which promises
esults in the shortest possible time
ather than the route which has been
aid down by the statutes of the state.
There is going to be either comprom-
SO Of camoufiage in connection with
he proposed sale of the lines to Re
osha. The company is certainly ready
throw about its decrepit property
very camoufage possible to get the
est price possible for the property.
{ has already laid it's plans for the
ale of the line. Possibly the figures
re waiting for the consideration of the
abroad commission. The city to meet
uch figures would be forced to expend
considerable amount in the employ
lent Of experts who would put values
n the property which the company
you'd undoubtedly dispute to the very
INIT of the endurance of the commits
l. il,
HIS system Of buying the lines.
The city believes that the line should
e picked up at bargain rates. The
fficials Of the company have whincd
yer the losing proposition they have
seen forced to meet, y over "lack of
dividends and proper return on the in
vestment' They have offered to
give it away I" and made a lot of
ther similar statements showing that
da2 q decided lack Of earning power.
low before any appeal is made to the
oilroad commission it should be the
utv Of the city TO call the bluff of the
ompanv, If the company wants to
ct out quick there is door opened to
he quick sale provided the company
wants to put the line out for sale at
hat Is it worth The company is not
Ding 70 lose by fair dealing with the
itv. The men urging the purchase of
he lines do not stop with this sing
.estion. They urge complete rebuild
NC and extension Of the lines, they an
.oopnce that the city will spend what
he company had been too timid to
pend for extensions. They announce
hat they will open for development
n Kenosha a great territory whore
ouses will be erected houses with gas
toves and electric lights in them and
louses which win be customers of thf
as and electric company for many
ears in the future The city is offer
ng to open to this company a great
ew source of new business--a business
which should greatly increase the legl
innate earnings Of the company and
ut into its pockets hundreds of thou
ands of dollars which must come To a
tility in a greater city. It is only
air to ask that the company pay some