The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-06-08
Barometer of Public Opinion
On CITY CHARACTERIZATION.


Editor World We have noticed in the past
several months some discussions OF the trans
portation problems facing Tulsa, and we pre-
sumo this a matter of vital import to all the
people of the city.
During the last few years there has developed
n competition to the street ear conveyance of
various kinds OF automotive vehicles mainly
buses and Jitneys
These have been granted licenses to run over
and occupy certain definite streets and routes,
they have become so numerous and have cut
into the street car revenue to such an extent
as to In large measure destroy the security
ana value OF street car property in many cities;
thus making II very difficult to finance street
car extensions. or new lines.
When 1t is remembered that for many years
the city governments backed by the people car
r!ed through the courts many suits to establish
the right IL the cities to compel the street car
companies to pave their tracks, and two feet
outside the rails. and to also pay q license 70
operate their cars on such streets. and which
contention was finally determined by the courts
IN iaVor or the people; and when 1t Is further
realized that a street car company IL thus COM
PEELED to pay out for an 1S-foot strip of paving
the average sum of $4,000 per mile of track
ana also to pay as much more to construct A
track Tor the cars to operate over, one need not
wonder at its difficulty IL meeting its compet-
That is to say 1t builds track nor pays for
any paving. Now. az understand 1t, the streets
are dedicated to the public for their use as
highways, and as such. are under the contro,
ana supervision OF the government in power at
the time and by statutory enactment thin mower
ex.onds s, TO and includes their permanent i'm
proVement at the expense OF the abutting prom
erty such Improvement being for the sole use
and ana benefit OF all the people who desire to use
them as Tree highways. Further II is a dem
onstrated fact that the use of an improved
hishway by vehicular traffic will wear IL out
IN aireet relation to the amount and weight of
such traffic. Further. when a street needs re-
par not ordinary maintenance but Is so worn
as 10 need extensive repair, this NAV also ha
cone and charged to the abutting property.
bearing these facts In mind, then by what
process OK law or equity. does 1t become a f,Inc-
t,oh t, OF government, ana where does 1t secure
nansa ns au,nory' mat Il may at Its discretion H.
cehse any person. firm or corporation to oper-
ave line or automotive vehicles, or conyeyances
over definite and particular set of streets or
route. on a pavement paid for b. property ad.
1acent, for iprivate gain; without any compensa,
tion, or relief to the property owner for ths
wear and tear and deterioration OF the Original
InproVeuont by the use thereon of such ii.
cenhed vehicles? II such licensed vehicles were
required TO deposit in a repair fund with ,hs
e,sy the sup of $4,000 the value of an ls-foot
s,,ap s or paving Tor each mile ofxyoute selected
ana which could be used by the Jty i'm the re-
pair or said streets, then there would be enui,,
20 10 tne properly owner who originally paid fol
a, without some such Arrangement betwse,
tne eity and such transportation companies m,
bb,operS owner Is simply robbed of this sun
during the life of the paving, and whiob q
n Worn out by the transportation Companies fo
| their private gain. -0
| 1t would seem 10 mo that an,
eSains, would nave remedy by injunction
a~sanst ~ such unwarranted use and license n
assumed by municipa! authorities >"
The people are entitled to TRANSFORMATION
service. but not at the partial expense of tn
| property along the street. nor should the,
always always nave to clash with the city dads to pre-
| serve thsT rights in their property The inter
ierepce OF these big buses with the genera
use OF the streets by ordinary traffic is consid
| erable az we'll as the wear and tear on IN
| pavement above mentioned. 10
| for these reasons think license shou
w oe srsnted without some proper compensation
| 10 haue 10 the city for repair work in the future
Tulsa, June 7. r. C Hrrcups