Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-12
FARES IN FIVE CITIES,
From Miles of Street Rail.
ways, to be Collected by
APROMlNENTPITTSBURGER
q. Sellers Mckee Becomes a Real
Rapid Transit Magnate.
THE SYSTEMS he HAS GOBBLED

H. Sellers Mckee has become street
railway magnate on a tolerably large scale.
having become sole owner of the street rail
way systems of several Eastern cities. In
these large transactions, involving several
millions of dollars, Murray Werner has been
Mr.. McKee's confidential agent, and it is
upon the formers Judgment that the large
investments have been made.
Mr.. McKee'S purchase of the Birmingham
system, in this city, was an experiment in a
new field. 1t was Mr.. McKee's idea that
no property of any nature responds more
readily to the touch Of a new owner and
progressive management than street car
lines. The road cost 81, ,000, 900 and paid
under the old management very well. The
time was quickened, stoves were put in the
cars, and general improvement made, and
the public came forward in most gratity-
ing manner. AS an illustration of the in
crease IN actual receipts, Sunday, March .,
of this year showed gain of S151 over the
corresponding day of 1889. In improving
the road by the use of the Thomson-Hous-
ton electric system, as now contemplated.
further increase is confidently expected.
THE ROCHESTER DEPARTMENT.
The system OF Rochester, n. Y, has been
under Mr.. McKee's control tor over six
months and the receipts have increased one
third. The electric system for Rochester is
now completed, and will be put into oper-
alton on the first of next month. The
Rochester and Brighton Beach Railway is a
part of the system. 1t is Is miles long, and
runs to Lake Erie, where is located Roches-
ter's summer resort. With rapid transit it
is sexpeeted during the coming summer to
double the receipts of previous years. The
Thomson Houston system is said to be
capable of railway speed, with minimum
dangers to be apprehended.
The system of Buffalo, n. Y, was next
purchased by Mr.. Mckee. The sale was
made nearly two weeks since, and included
every foot of street railway in Buffalo. The
property was essentially old-fashioned, there
being no semblance of rapid transit under
the old regime. The Thomson-Houston
will also be applied to Buffalo.
Mr.. Murray Werner will remove from
Pittsburg to Buffalo within the course of
month, and will locate there permanently.
He will assume charge of the systems of
Buffalo, Rochester and one other city. His
permanent removal from Pittsburg will create
thousands of friends.
WILL TAKE HIS WHOLE TIME.
Mr.. Verner's handsome residence on Penn
avenue will be given up within a month. The
duties be will assume in the management of
Mr.. McKee's New York interests will require
Mr.. Nerner's active superintendent, and he
yields to the demands of business in leaving
Pittsburg. The exact date is not yet fixed.
Dir. Werner had for years been superintend.
nf rhn iVprlc orP Pnu iOp and ho
was largely instrumental in the adoption of
the cable system by that company. When Mr..
Mckee purchased the birmingham system Mr..
Werner resigned from the Citizens Traction su-
perintendency to accept similar position upon
the Birmingham railway. His vast experience
was appreciated by MIR. Mckee, and he has
evinced such sagacIty in the appraisement of
street railways and charters as to advance very
rapidly to position of great responsibility.
His personal popularity is too well known to
require extended mention. He Will be much
missed in Pittsburg by his business and per-
sonal associates.
Newark, n. j., comes next in the list of Mr..
Mchee's acquisitions. 1t was reported some
weeks since to have been sold TO the Elkius
syndicate, of Philadelphia. The report, though
widely credited, is only true in the fact that
the Elkins syndicate tried to buy Newark's
lines, but Mr.. Mckee moved decisively, and
secured the entire system of the city. The
stock of the Newark roads was quoted at 400
1OO eeing par ElsctTieity will be a.. applied as
is expected to appreciate greatly in value.
ALL SETTLED YESTERDAY.
The negotiations for the system of Syracuse,
n. Y, were concluded in New York City yes
terday by Messrs. Mckee and Werner. The
latter spent several days last week in Syracuse
and representatives of the road met the Pitts
burgers in New York City, where the deal was
completed yesterday. So that Mr.. Mckee is
sole owner of the Birmingham lines in this CITY,
and the systems of Buffalo. Rochester Newark
and Syracuse. Columbus, o., was under con-
sideration, but was not deemed as favorable an
opportunity as the others secured.
Prices are impossible to secure in connection
with the above transactions, but 1t is supposed
that Mr. Mckee has invested S. 000 QUO in street
railroads within the last year. those figures
being below. if anything, the actual amount
Large investments are to be made in the pro-