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Show STREET KAU.WAY FRANCHISES. At tho mass meeting last evening the street railway question camo tip and was quite thoroughly discussed. The result was the adoption, of a resolution, by an overwhelming majority, to the effect that no mouopoly should bo permitted per-mitted in the street transportation business. busi-ness. This, we believe, is the sentiment of ninety-nine per cent of the people of this city. The resolution was intended to convey to the city council the public feeling upon this matter, and it is to be hoped that the council will act accord-i'lK'y- One of the planks in The Times platform plat-form is opposition to monopoly, and another is the advocacy of the material Interests of Salt Lake. The Times, therefore, is in favor of competition in in the street railway : business. busi-ness. Competition will certainly bo productive of very beneficial results to the city iu many ways. Any sensible person can readily sec that, without having it pointed out to him by means of a long-winded argument. The Times is in favor of granting a franchise to any corporation or syndicate syndi-cate that gives evidence of its ability and willingness "to spend money and carry out tho terms of the franchise petitioned pe-titioned for. The city cannot afford to shut out capital ami enterprise. We say give everybody a fair show. If a monopoly is given to one company, it is fair to presume that at times it will be dictatorial, anil arrogant, aud slow to extend its lines or to otherwise accommodate accom-modate the : public. If competing lines are given franchises, street railways will be built in every direction, tho suburbs will be brought within easy reach, properly values will be enhanced, en-hanced, and tho man in moderate circumstances cir-cumstances and the poor man will bo enabled to purchase a cheap homo iu the outskirts and have rapid transit to his place of business. Sup)ose a new railroad from the east should apply for a right of way into this city and the applicant ap-plicant should be told that wo have all tho railroads we want. Would not that bo the height of absurdity ? Yet tho same principle applies to street railways. rail-ways. The Rapid Transit company is now an applicant for a franchise, and it stands ready to spend $o00,000 for construction. con-struction. It has already expendod $40,000 in material now on the ground and en route. Yet it cannot proceed with its work owing to tho delay in securing a franchise, which it had hoped and expected to obtain without with-out any opposition on the part of the council, The people demand that a franchise bo given not only to the Rapid Transit company, but to any othor company that will expend largo sums of money and employ large numbers of men. Every possible encouragement should be given to new men, new enterprises, and new capital. If this is not done, you might as well fence in tho town anil turn it into a sheep pasture. |