OCR Text |
Show THE COONCIL HAS THE POWER. Certain Citj Councitraen resent the Intimation that, fn a measure, they are responsible for the inadequate in-adequate street car service the trolley line magnates mag-nates are furnishing the Bait Lake public. , These municipal statesmen declare they have n6 authority to interfere with the workings of the car company or to require it to improve its service. They even hint that no other public officials have, that power. But the transit concern's franchise is not so ironclad iron-clad as all that. ' Let us see'vhat the facts in the case are. In a resolution of the City Council granting grant-ing a franchise ta the Salt Lake City Railway company com-pany for twenty years beginning January 26, 1889, we find this section: "And the grantees aforesaid shall place cars upon said railroads with ALL THE NECESSARY MODERN IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE CONVENIENCE AND COMFORT OF PASSENGERS, PAS-SENGERS, which shall be run thereon each and every day both ways SO OFTEN AS THE PUBLIC CONVENIENCE MAY REQUIRE, and at a rate of speed not exceeding 12 miles per hour, and UNDER SUCH REGULATIONS AS THE CITY COUNCIL MAY FROM TIME TO TIME PRESCRIBE." Now, what explanation have these doubting Councilmen to offer for the existence of this resolution which makes them complete masters of the street car situation? situ-ation? Now that they have knowledge that power to regulate the trolley servicers vested In them by law, will they act? Do they believe the' "street railway rail-way is equipped with all the necessary modern improvements im-provements for the convenience and comfort of passengers"? pas-sengers"? "Will they contend that the cars are run "as often as the public convenience may require"? If they desire evidence," nine-tenths of the Salt Lake public stands ready to bear witness. And in considering the case the Council should remember that the trolley magnates . obtained this valuable franchise free of all charge in exchange for their promise to furnish an adequate, modern service. Of course, the fact that the Councilmen accept monthly month-ly pass books from the trolley magnates will not influence in-fluence them in arriving at a decision. |