The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-12-29
srREEr nNILwAY rxrnNsIoN.

STREET RAILWAY TNTsNsION.
Tulsas water problem has been solved. Its
second great problem. that Of adequate urban
transportation, remains 10 be solved no at
tain s normal growth aud serve its ctizons as
they must be served. Tulsa must have street
railways extending rinto the suburbs-to cheap
residence sections
That the blame for the existing unscientlnc
distribution OF our urban transportation facl-
ties does not 10y altogether with the ransporta-
tion concerns themselves has been made album
dainty evident within the week. It Is perfect
folly to tax of bullalug community of con-
venioncc to all the citizens when fcw citizens
persist in placing their own personal interests
in tho pathway Of progress
1t may be urged that the property owners in
u certain block or ou certain street have a
righi to enter protest against the extension Of
a css transportation line ou such street, but
that fact does not disturb the greater fact that
such protest after It has been heard must be
considered In the light OF tho general rule
which holds that the wishes of the few must
give way to the interests of tho many.
Whether transportation line In front of
property damages benefits that property is
a matter OF opinion and not of fact law. II
such line In front OF any given proporty--or
through any given neighborhood---s prac-
Ideally necessary in order that many citizens fur
ther out may be served then both Justice and
equity require that the wishes of the fow-the
arbitrary opinions Of the fow-be set aside In
the interest OF the greater number
It Is mconceyablc thai a few property own
efs he allowed to arrogate the right to them
selves to place their own selfish interests in the
pathway Of the city's progress. The streets
belong to tho public aud are to be utilized by
the public for its convenience. happiness and en-
joyment Abuttlng property has no superior
right to the street directly in front OF 1t to the
ri8Bt enjoyed in and to that street by the cit
izen ON the opposite side of tho municipality
II group OF property may with Inn
punty set themselves down directly in the line
OF the clty's logical growth and declare them
selves opposed 20 municipal improvements alb
solutely essential to the welfare of the whole
community we say II such group OF prop
erty owners IS permitted to bluff It's way
through with such selfish proposition, then
Tulsa Is larger today than It deserves to be. and
the time is not r,r distant when It will begin
TO shrink
Whatever may be said against The existing
urban transportation lines fully much may
be truthfully said concerning tho responsibility
OF the citizenship in opposing various projected
extensions ana harassments inflicted the
transportation interests. Effort after effort on
the part or the railways to got into new terri
tory demanding service has been thwarted,
until it has become automatic that Tulsa is a
town Of dead ANA nonproductivo transportation
ends.
The world AYERS emphatlcaly that this sort
reparably injured, The conflict and contro-
ycrsy over the Abandonment OF the Oklahoma
Union limo ON ST. Louis its extension on Eleventh
aud re extension OF the Tulsa Railway COM
puuy on Quincy as ordered by the corporation
commission. is only the latest manifestation OF
tnis absurd selfish spirit which is harming the
oiy and doing Grass injustico to thousands Of
fits citizens.
The time has come, 1t seoms to us. when a
yirile. straight thinking public opinion must
manifest itself and discourage such indefensble
proyincialism. Tulsa it's streets It's alleys its
parks and other public property 6sionEs TO the
citizenship Of Tulsa and not 10 "a mere handful
of Jealous property owners seeking spee,al
fayors.
aud the time has further come. it seems 70