San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-09-01
RAPID TRANITs IN CITIES.

cities, and giving statistics concern.
ing same, has been issued by the CEN
sus bureau. The tables and exhibits
include all cities of $4,000 population
and over. The schedule of $4,000 is
upon an estimate made at the time
the compilation of the tables was be-
gun and not upon actual returns.
Statistics of the equipments of all
roads furnishing rapid transit and OF
their operations for the year ending
In 1890 are being collected to be pre-
scented in future exhibits. The correct
ness of the estimate may be some
what Appropriated when Galveston
and Dallas are put down in the cata-
logue of cities of $4,000 and San An
tonic left out. The schedules show
mileage on each year from 1850 to
1889 inclusive, and the increase both
in mileage and per cent. during that
period. OF the two Texas cities men
toned, Dallas has increased her mile
age from four miles to 20.07 miles, an
increase of 401.75 per cent. Calves
ton has increased from 22.09 in 1880 to
1896 in 1889, a gain of 1921 per cent.
Troy, New York, is the only
city showing no gain. Birmingham,
Alabama, the only city in the
list that had no street railway in 1880,
nor in fact until 1884, has now 1884
miles. Omaha, Nebraska reports the
largest increase 995.22 per cent, an in
crease from $50 in 1880 to A 80 in 1889.
Kansas City and Denver are about a
tie; Denver having recorded H.
crease of 1925 per cent and Kansas
City of 764.42 per cent. Birmingham,
Alabama has made incomparably the
greatest progress. From nothing to
1894 miles since 1884 is record that
breaks the slate. Chicago is the only
city in the nnion that shows as many
miles increase in that time and her
gain was 1S4.7S from 101. "a.
The city of Philadelphia leads all
others in mileage, having 2S3.4 miles.
Boston follows with 200.S6; Chicago
with 1S4.7S; New York, 177.10; Brook
Ign, 1914; ST. Louis, 1875; Balti-
more, 1851; New Orleans, 1o4.92.
These are all the cities that report a
mileage of 100 or over.
The total mileage of the cities
scheduled is 3,150.93, an increase in
the ten years of 1,46l.39 miles; or,
$3.50 per cent. OF this mileage 2,35l-
10 is operated by animal power; go
SO by electricity; 255.o7 by cable;
so by steam, 61.79 Of the steam
mileage being elevated roadway.
Scranton, Pa, is the only city that
does not employ animal power, her
system being exclusively electric.
San Francisco, Cal, has more cable
mileage than any other city-47.22
miles; Kansas City has 1886 cable;
Denver, 30 81; Chicago, 24.Ol. OF the
several kinds of motive power en-
ployed, 74.62 is animal power; 500,
electricity; s. II, cable; 7.04, steam,
surface; 1876 steam, elevated.
These statistics cover mileage of
roads without regard to single or
double track. Counting the miles of
track laid New York comes first with
1882; Chicago, $50; Boston, 329.47;
Brooklyn, 324.63; Philadelphia, 324. A;
Baltimore, 17l.74; st. Louis; 1926.
On the first day of this year there
were 476 cities and towns in the
United States that had rapid transit
facilities, and there were S07 different
street railway lines in operation.
This is the first time that street
railways have been brought within
the scope of census statistics, and the
tables presented will be ofinterest to
all who concern themselves with mat
ters of municipal needs and growth.
These tables do not show the ratio of
increase in kind of motor. Did they,
the rapid development of electricity
as motor for street railway lines
would be most apparent. Boston is
far in advance of any other city in the
employment of electricity as a street
car motor, and her lead will be fol.
lowed. The next decade will prob
ably show greater mileage of street
railway lines operated by electricity
than by any other motor.