Arizona republican., 1922-04-28
The Report on the Street Railway

The report of the committee the Phoenix
Street Railway gives gloomy picture the future
of transportation for this city, situation for the
relief of which single suggestion is and the
means for which relief can be supplied only by the
railway itself in betterment of the service and in
application by the company for lower rates for
electrical power which are said to be unconsconably
high. We have understood that no such application
has ever been made to the proper authorities
We know of nothing the city can do to assist the
company. Successive governments have been patient,
culpably So with the that the public has been
kept in state of irritation against both the railway
company and against city councils and commissions.
It is unnecessary now to go into the causes Of
the condition of the street railway company. We
discussed this matter in the past and have believed
of them to be the character Of the which
has been education of the people to walk. The
matters to considered now are those of the future
and not those of the past.
One means Of relief sought was the extension Of
the companys franchise for period Of years and
the modification OF its terms especially relief from
the requirement that it the streets between its
tracks. The report deals with that and finds it inn
possible the charter for the commission finally
to act if it should desire TO do So That is
something that would have to passed upon by the
people election and in the temper of the people
such proposal would almost certainly be denied.
The people. we believe. despair of any improve
of the system under its present ownership and
would unwilling extend lease of its futility
1t is generally regarded the serious Of the
drawbacks on the growth OF the city.
Among the arguments which have been offered
in favor of extended and modified franchise has
been that the present harsh Though unenforced)
franchise has acted bar to the sale Of the prop
IA
That is doubt true but If it is for the purpose
of facilitating sale of the property that modifica-
ton desired the effect of the modi
fication extension could be given in another way
by an understanding between the city commission
and large number of citizens one hand and the
prospective purchaser on the other, that once the
transfer of the property had been accomplished. a
and suitable franchise would be proposed. In
these circumstances think there is no doubt that
a new franchise would be granted
It is admitted that the present franchise is out
of date. The paving clause, thirty years ago. was
inserted for the sake of sound than for any
effectiveness it was supposed it would ever have.
No paving in sight or remotely considered.
There is good reason why railway company
should be required to pave between its tracks and
modern franchises do not require to do
But the Phoenix Street Railway company can
hardly complain of the hardness of that clause since
it has seldom been enforced One reason why that
has not been done is that the city commission has
realized that with the present rails and the condi-
tion of the ties of the street railway company, it
would be crime against both the company and the
streets to compel paving between and adjoining the
tracks. if it could be DONE
That attempted the Washington street
line and the result is in the unsighty canyons
and gashes in the pavement along the track It has
been much and than the commission could
do to compel the railway company make its cross
ngs passable by reducing the tracks to the
level of the paving.
But some way must be found out of an intolerable
situation AS have said. know of no way In
which the city help the railway company. but it
must find way to help itself