Omaha daily bee., 1888-10-30
BLEST Be THE TIES THATBIND
The Electric Motor Makes Speedy
Trips Between the Two Cities.
APPRecIATiNa MANAGER EVANS
He is Presented with an Elegant
Watch-The Union Pacific Cuts
Its Dummy Rates In Two
Queer Accident.
The Motors Started.

Ihe electric motor line was put In
successful operation yesterday. Cars
we're run on Lower Broadway in the
forenoon, and in the afternoon several
trips were made through to the Metho-
dist church on Upper Broadway. The
cars attracted great deal of attention,
and it was quite amusing to see the de-
gree Of enthusiasm manifested by spec
tators as the motors made their initial
trip. Everybody who was indoors
nocked to the windows and doors, and
saluted the passengers with general
waving of handkerchiefs. On the streets
hoarse. Several old residents testi-
fed their approval by jumping up
and down after the manner OF the
average small boy who sees some
thing to excite his unbounded delight.
Everything run as smoothly as could be
expected, and there were no accidents
to detract from the days success.
In the afternoon the mayor, city coun-
Gil, members Of the board OF supervisors,
and Messrs. Evans, Wright and Stew
art, of the bridge company took car
riages and were driven to the bridge,
where the structure was inspected by
the mayor before accepting the work
| and paying the bonus voted by the city.
Returning home, the carriages were
dismissed and the party boarded the
electric motor cars for the city. General
the trip, and although it was
his first experience in that
capacity, he made excellent time, and
handled his train like n veteran. The
cars were under complete control, and
quickly responded to the least motion OF
the levers. The trip from the west end
of the bridge to the corner of Main and
Broadway, n distance of nearly four
miles, was made in sixteen minutes and
four seconds. One mile on the lower
part of avenue A was run in three min
utes and forty seconds. The load was
quite heavy one for fast time, consist
ing of three cars and thirty-eight pas
sengers. The full force of the current
was not turned, but the
motor cars climbed the ap-
proach to the bridge, which is the
heaviest grade on the line, with perfect
ease. Passing through the center of
the city the cars were loaded as full as
possible, all standing room being taken,
but the effect was not noticeable in
starting or controlling the cars.
Several minor details yet remain to
be attended to before the work can be
said to be completed. 1t is hoped by
to-day to have the whole line in perfect
working order, and regular trains run
ming through the day and evening.
Yesterday the current was turned on
only one track, and on that the cross
wires were not connected, allowing n
great deal of the current to escape. 1t
will require some time TO get
the machinery all smoothed up, and
the track we'll ballasted and as this can
not all be done IN day, the public will
make allowances accordingly. No reg
ular running schedule or time card has
yet been adopted, but ten minute SER
vice will be maintained as nearly as
possible with the cars now on hand.
1t was generally feared that the motor
cars would frighten horses, but the re-
suit yesterday showed that the fears
were almost grOundless. Very few
horses manifested any concern about
them, and after seeing them once or
twice paid no more attention to them
than to ordinary street cars. One runa-
way resulted ON Lower Broadway, but it
was caused by the negligence of a
farmer who left his team standing on
the street without hitching. The ami
mails ran but few feet, when they col
lided with a telegraph pole and were
stopped. The only damage was a
broken harness. If the motor line has
tendency to make people hitch their
horses when left on the street, it will be
greatly appreciated by the travelling
public.