Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-11-24
EcrRIc STREET RIrLUArs.

A History of Almost Unepualied Develop
ment During the Last Five Years.
Harper's Weekly.
The history Of the electric street rail
ways for the last five years is that Of
almost unequaled development. The
figures showing the growth of the sys.
tenn are interesting. At the close of last
year there were in this country t0,590
miles of street railway; with 30 ST. cars,
OF these, 4,O61 miles were electric, and
1892 cars We're electric. The total horse,
cable and electric mileage had increased
during the year 1891, 1880 miles, but
electricity standing by itself had in
creased !, 53S miles. The total of horse,
cable and electric cars had increased
during the year 1895 cars. OF this
number $500 were propelled by cleo
trcity. There were at the end of the
year seven times as many miles Of cleo
trio road as of cable, and almost twice
as many electric cars as there were
cable cars. There were at the end
OF the year something over 400
electric roads in operation in America.
Last March it was estimated that of the
IL cities in the United States having
over 2OO,OOO inhabitants, II or 81 per
cent, We're equipped with electric roads.
vi the AZ cities having between $4,000
and 100000 inhabitants, al or J1t per
cent, had electric roads. OF the re-
naming 39l cities with population of
over 5000 it is said that there are not d
score that have not electric roads, or are
not preparing TO introduce the system.
Since March every one of the larger
cities referred to as the exceptions in
the above percentages have fallen into
line with the formal approval of this
comparatively new method of rapid
transit. The investment to date is said
to reach over $100,000,000.
In spite of this very general adop-
ton of the electric system of transit
throughout the country, the advocates
OF the trolley are obliged to confess
that there is only one road in opera.
tion-that in Washington-which is
properly equipped. In large cities, they
say, one condition should be insisted
upon when franchises are granted by
the authorities, and that if this condi-
| ton is complied with much of the OBJ
| lection to an overhead system would
| disappear. The company holding the
| franchise should be compelled to make
the construction of the very best. 1t is
declared that the only overhead wire
necessary is the contact wire, which
need not be more than one-third of an
inch in diameter; that the main con-
ductors and feeders should be put un.
derground, in proper conduits. In broad
streets where the tracks occupy only a
small portion of the street, and are near
together, a line Of poles. ornamental in
| design, as is the case in Washington
and not less than $50 feet apart, and
with arms projecting on either side
could follow the centre of the street
and could be utilized for electric light
ing.
But, as the roads are usually con.
structed, the popular objection to the
overhead system is by no means without
reason, since it is dangerous to life and
property, and an eye-sore which is only
equalled by the elevated road structures
in New York city. Corporations are
proverbially "soulless," and when they
sec an opportunity of cutting down
their operating expenses from 80 to sc
per cent, they are not likely to develop
sufficient conscience to resist the temp.
tation, SO long as they are granted the
privileges which they ask or demand
without having the slightest restrictions
| placed upon their actions.