The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1891-10-12
THE ELECTRIC RAILWAY.
Reasons Why the "T" Rail Should
be Adopted.

The chief reason for the request by the
Mahanoy City, Shenandoah, Girardvilp
and Ashland Street Railway Company for
permission to use the "T' rail instead of
the fiat is that the former Is better
adapted for perfect safety.
In ascending grades the "Aar' rails
answer the purpose, but in descending
grades the "T'' rail is, by far, the safest.
A pebble, or slightest obstruction of any
kind, is liable to throw q car from FIAT
rail on a heavy grade, because wheels
running upon such rails cannot have
fl ,nges of sufficient depth. But in the case
of ''p' rails the wheels of the cars must
have fanges that are large enough to pre-
vent such accidents.
The argument that the company wants to
use the "1'' rail because it is cheaper than
the other lacks foundation. 1t does not re.
quire the intelligence of an expert to see
that it costs more to manufacture the "T''
rail and that, therefore, it would cost the
company more to use such a rail.
The alarm the Nelos is sounding is un-
provoked and wholly unnecessary. The peo.
pie need not fear that the railway company
will take any advantage of them through
the councilmen, or that the company is de-
sirous of having any action taken by
Council that will not be in accord with the
interests Of the people.
The company is desirous of constructing
railway that will be safe and endurabe
and it has ample capital for such an equip.
ment.
The grades between Mahanoy City and
Ashland, and particularly in and about
Shenandoah, are many and steep, and to
guard against accidents in descending these
grades the company recommends the "T,'
rail to the people. This enterprise is in the
hands of men who have a knowledge of
the manner in which electric railways
should be constructed and they have the
successful operation of electric railways at
Wilkes Barre, Allentown, Bethlehem and
other large towns to back what they now
recomm md to council The company is
also prepared to point out towns having
heavy-grade electric railways that are about
to abandon the "aat' rails and adopted the
''T' pattern.
The electric railway people mean busi.
ness and only ask reasonable consideration.
and the public may rest assured That no at
tempt will be made to induce any of the
councilmen, who are, of course, public
servants, to vote away any right of the
people. 1t is hoped the public will be
equally considerste and not throw OBJ
stacles in the way of the enterprise on ac
count Of any petty jealousy, or on account
of any prejudice that may exist against
any one who had or may have anything to
do with it.
The rail question is the only obstacle in
the way of immediate construction of the
road. The towns throughout the valley
are anxious fIr the advent Of the great
reYolutionizer and it will certainly be an
outrage if the Jealousy and pretudces of a
few will be allowed to deprive the msjori.y
OF the people Of the great benefits 50 near
at hand. All opposition to the proposed
change takes root in self interest
The company's offer to take up the 81 )
rail at the expiration Of SIX mouths, if not
satisfactory, and replace it with the FIAT -
is certainly very fair offer, but, of course,
those who will not see, loont see.
Don't be fiat"