Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-12-18


kOtk kAIL6oADs-
What have the railroads done for
Grand Rapldss In 1850 the writer
came TO this city, then an AMBITIOUS
village of $500 population. The modes
Of ingress and egress were by covered
stage and open wagon across country
To Kalamazoo, tifty miles, or 10 Battle
Greek, sixty miles, thence east or west
by the Michigan Central railroad - the
traveller might denre. Late In tae
fifties came the Detroit 4 Milwaukee,.
'The Old Reliable" as that road Was
for many years called.
Ten years after or Whereabouts came
the White Pigeon, Kalamazoo & Allie
gan, now known as the Lake Shore q
Michigan Southern railroad. Only
little later came the Grand Rapids a
Indiana, next came the Holland road.
now a part of the West Michigans FOL
loving these came the Grand River
Valley from Jackson. now known as
the Michigan Central; then the
Newauygo branch OF the Lake Shore Il
Michigan southern. NV a part OF the
West Michigan system. Next came the
Detroit. Lansing q Graud Rapids. and
the MusEegan branch OF the Grand
Rapids q Indiana. We are now cred
tied with having ten railway lines, con-
Meeting at convenient points with all
the great trunk lines. extending east
and west, north and south.
What have these roads ne for this
city and what has our city done for
these roads. Let US try to answer the
last question first.
The city donated 10 the Grand Rap
IDS x Indiana $4,000 to the Grand
River Valley road $1,000, in all $780,
900.
think that none of the other reads
received material AID from this city ex-
cept IN concessions OF rights of way
through the city. Ii is probable that
$3.50, 900 would cover the contributions
of the CITY 10 all the railroads centering
mere. including interest on the bonds
issued.
What have these roads given US in
return?
They have made it possible for TINS
city 10 become a manufacturing cen
ter. We are now credited with having
FIVE hundred factories, employing TO-
900 hands with All annual product est
mated at So. 0oo,0 900.
They have caused an enlargement OF
our population directly by adcin. to
our numbers q class of business men of
| experience and high order Of ability as
officers, and indirectly by the employ
ment of large number Of worthy
citizens in subordinate positions.
1t is safe TO say that there is no bet
ter class OF citizens in our midst than
the one serving our railroad interests.
These roads distribute each month
In our city about $780, 900 the major
part OF which is expended in our city.
These railways centering here have
made i: possible for Grand Rapids to
become the second city IN the state and
| q present population of 10000.
They have enabled our people to en-
Joy all that the largest cities of the
land possess in the line of easy and
rapid communication for passenger
and freight with all parts of the coun.
try on eeuable terms.
We have invited the railroads to
come to US and with some slight excep
| tons have treated them in \ friend y
way and have patronized them to thu
extent of our ability.
! They have constantly enlarged then
facilities to meet the growth of the city
and its industries, at the came time re-
ducng rates 10 very low point.
We are constantly asking concessions
of these highways and are SON etmes
disturbed If our requests are no,
needed. but If is safe TO say there 10 nc
class of property involving so high al
order Of administration that gives ~
inconslderable are turn TO the investors
| Without the advent OF the railroad
Grand Rapids would still be couutr,
village. HARVEY j. HoLrIsTER.