Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1921-09-30
LABOR ASKS
PROVISIONS IN
FRANCHISE

- ~ n ~ -
The granting Of new fraachiza y
the erhana and Champaign RanNeF.
Gas and Elcctric company Tor the pus
pose et using the streets of the civ
upon which 10 operate a street car
system, viii net b. done without tax.
ing into consideration the Wishes II
organized labor OF Champaign.
The franchise under which the con.
pany has heen operating for several
years expired on The first ol Sentrh.
bcr. Slowness ON the part Of The
company 10 make application Tor
new franchise caused the city com
mlssioners To prod up the company
under penalty Of removing the trae
and facating the streets. and the com.
nany then got husy and the required
application Was uade
That the company wanted the tree
use OF the streets without franehiae
Is evidenced from the statement male
that they were operating cars IN other
cities without franchise. and they
evidently took IL for granted that what
was allowed In other cities also went
here.
Under the old franchise. the com.
nany occupied the main streets of ia
city free of charge. and with the eN.
eeption of paving aud maintaining in
n more or less efficient manner space
extending one foot outside the rails.
has contributed almost nothing for the
use of the streets. The company yiftns
ally asked everything and gave moth
ing. a new proposition sulmitted
Ia the city commissioners by the com.
pany asks for franchise practically
the same ~ the old
Having In mind the interests oI thu
citizens Of Champaign aa a whole. aud
believing that certain provisions
should be made In the new franchise.
IL one is granted, for the protection
fthe public interest the Twin city
Federation OF Labor. through ita es,
ecutive hoard. has compiled set of
ten articles which organized labor he
lieyes will meet tho approval of tho
great mass of people and that should
be Incorporated In the new franchise,
These articles were presented to Tho
city commissioners at their meeting
Monday morning. and were received
with the assurance they would be gly.
en- due consideration IN the framing NJ
new franchise.
Following II the Federation'a rec.
ommandation TO the commissioners:
Whereas, a new franchise II being
sought by the Urbana and Champaign
Railway, Gas and Electric Company ot
run their street cars over certain
streets In the city OF Champaign, and.
| helievipe that .cagtain neaanres should
me inoofpnrni6d in the new franchise
looking 10 the comfort, convenience
and safety OF The travelling public, tho
| Executive Board of the Twin City Fed.
GRAFTON OF Labor. therefore. has adoat'
ed the following propositions and In
aists that the same be written Into the
new franchise nnd To that end aAka
the active support OF tho city officials
and all citizens of the community who
] believe In making the Twin cities a
! better place In which To live.
| l. That all street cars be run At
least eighteen hours daily, With ten
minute service on all fines.
9. Church and New street lines 10
be continuous runs through both cit
les, abollsblng the transfers at Nell
street
;. All cara 10 be equipped for and
operated by two men.
4. Motors on all cars 10 be operated
by experienced motofmen.
g. That special provisions be made
by the company To handle the traffic
during the rush hours OF the day
q. The speed limit should be such
as 10 ensure safety and comfort 10 the
passengers.
7. A reasonable time limit for the
company 10 repair paVements after
being so notified by the city officials
should be required.
&. The company should be required
10 pay the city stipulated per cent
um of the gross receipts.
.. The company should be require
TO provide ample lights at all street
intersections along all lines.
10 Freight traffic should be elm
lnted between the hours of six A. NJ.
and ten =. NJ
There are many people In the city
who believe that new franchise
should be denied the company and
that the city take over and operate
the street ear lines ON a plan caleu'
lated for service instead OF profit lt
is said those with this belief Will be
heard from within the near future.
They urge az their claim that other
cities OF the progressive class have
done away with private ownership OF
public utilities such as street car lines
and lighting systems, and have found
that by so doing better service has