Novel Milwaukee Franchise

Common Council grants to a railroad unprecedented priveleges.

Milwaukee, Wis., Aug. 27 - The Milwaukee, Burlington and Lake Geneva Railroad now holds the most valuable franchise ever given to a railroad company in MIlwaukee.  It was granted by the Common Council in the face of active opposition of citizens and property owners, all of whom were entirely disregarded.  The franchise is for an electric elveated road, is unlimited as to time and permits of the running of freight trains through the city.

No compenstation is to be paid by the road except to abutting property owners who may be damaged.  The central terminus is at Michigan and Milwaukee Streets, in the heart of the East Side.  Clarence S. Darrow of Chicago is said to be one of the promoters of the line, and many theories are advanced as to who is back of the scheme.

The passage of this franchise through the Council is a municipal mustery.  No one has ever appeared before the committees and given a clear explanation what the pfranchise is wanted for.  The promoters have not been required to show what backing there is to the road or they are going to build it.  It is generally supposed that some railroad which wants to gain an entrance to the city is behind the project and has taken this means of its ends.

NY Times Aug 28, 1901