Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-07-04

prise ought to be encouraged and that the
public will show their appreciation of the
additional convenience at the outset.
| trust nothing will discourage the COM
| pany from carrying out their present plans,
which l regard as greatly beneficial to the
interests Of the city.
A. A. Hyde-I am glad to see the street
car company making this move, and do
not think anybody will object to it. The
public will appreciate the advantages of
such system and will not be willing to
dispense with it after it is once adopted.
There are a few disadvantages Of course,
but these are more than compensated by
the extra convenience. The use of center
poles on Douglas avenue will do away with
many objections.
Captain j. c. Rutan-As a matter of
pride in our, as well as for my own con-
venience, should like to see all our street
cars changed from animalto electric motor
power. AS to the storage battery, had
once believed or hoped it would be made
practical, but SO far as my information is
that 1t is still in its experimental stage.
AS to poles, we have too many and it
seems a pity their use can not be dispensed
with. AS long as we must have poles or
run in the mule rut, believe we will find
them less Objectionable in the middle of
the street than on the gutter line. l be-
leve that neat iron pole, placed in the
middle of the Street, where there is a
double track, would not be Objectionable.
1t would not look badly nor is there any
travel in the center of the street except at
crossings, where, of course, no poles would
be placed.
n. +. Neiderlande-I believe that in Or
der that Douglas avenue and Main street
should Main street should maintain their
prestige as business a better system than
mvle power should be adopted. 1t would
seem if any streets should have improved
facilities for transportation that Douglas
avenue or Main street should be first. 1t
goes without saying that l should be glad
to have the improved without the poles,
but SO far this does not seem possible, and
l would rather have with the electric sys-
tenn than the mules without them. The
location of the poles is serious mat
ter, lut l believe when the mid
die of the street is occupied with
double track, the center of the
Objectionable for the poles. 1 cannot see
how any Wichita man can afford to OPP
pose any movement to improve the trans
portation facilities on Douglas or Main.
The poles should be iron.
J. D. Hutchings-I am in favor of cleo
tic power for the street cars and regard
the poles as a necessary evil. AS to the
location of the poles. l should think on
Douglas they should lie in the middle of
the street. l have seen the poles in the
center of the street in Salt Lake city and
it works very nicely. 1t divides the travel
and makes no inconvenience whatever.
1t is true the poles are used in that city for
electric lights, but as they are in the mid
die of the street and track on either side
it is as good test as if used to support
the street car wire. AS l see the electric
cars can be run at the lowest possible
speed, say two miles per hour, do not see
that the fact that they can make fifteen
miles an hour is any objection. There are
lots of three minute horses on the street
but they are not driven at that rate. The
speed would be regulated by an ordinance
of the city.
A. w. Oliver-I would like to see the
mule system improved on but l fear
and Douglas would be considered an limo
walton by the people. know that cars
are run on more populous streets in Chi
cago and Kansas City by mechanical
means. l do not think that electrical
power properly controlled is dangerous to
life, but think there is a prejudice against
rapid transit or any power that would
render rapid motion possible on Douglas
Or Main. Now do not wish to be under
stood as saying that regard it necessarily
for while speed of fifteen
miles per hour might be possible, that
speed could be reduced and should be re-
luced on the busy parts of the street to |
five or six miles per hour.
George II. Observation-Disclosures the cleo |
.ric system all over the city. which of |
course includes Main street and Douglas |
avenue. Have not investigated the differ |
INT systems but for thr two streets named |
want that system which would be the |
east Objectionable to the public.
l.. +. Sherwood-Think Wichita Street |
Railway company should be granted the
light to use motor power on Main street |
md Douglas avenue. The streets are
vide and it will not be as great an objec-
ion on account of frightening horses as
many think. 1t is certainly no worse than
he cable lines used on main business
treets in other cities. The iron poles in
he center of the streets would be least
Geo. L. Rouse-There is no doubt but
hat electric motor is highly necessary. AS
stakeholder and directormy opinion may
lot be considered by some as disinterested.
tut when such men as J. 0. Davidson, b.
l. Cambell, Robert Lawrence 0. Martin
on, c. r. Miller, VIM. Greiffenstein and
n fact all of the stockholders are consid-
red, it would seem that no further guar
ntee that the interest of Wichita would
e under consideration in any enterprise
hey would undertake in the city they all
ave such pride in.
4. L. Houck-Poles between two tracks
you'd not be Objectionable. Ny opinion
that without the franchise is granted
be City railway company will be demon
lized.
FOR ST. FRANCIS.
An opportunity will DE given the good