Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-11-23
rnE srRssr RAinwAr rnAoKs.
What the Street aud sewer Commission
and the Railway Peonle Saw.

and the Railway People Say.
The complaints OF citizens in regard
to the condition Of the street railway
track, especially along Market aud
Front streets, have been taken to the
Street and Sewer Directors and also to
the officials of tho railway company.
IL is learned that the railway company
intends undertaking comprehensive
system of improvement which will ulti-
mately result in the change Of the
Market street track from its present
horse railway rail to one adapted to the
requirements Of the heavy electric cars
now running on the road. 1t is under
stood that this change will call for q
very heavy expenditure.
The railway c1mpany's treasury has
already been very heavily taxed in the
improvements going along during the
whole Of the past season, which i'm
provements have resulted in giving the
citizens street railway system which
will compare fayorably with that of any
other city, with the exception of that in
Washington, d. O., where the resources
of the national government practically
afford all the funds necessary to keep the
track in first rate order all the time.
The Market street track is the old
girder system over which the mules
and horses Of the old system trotted
leisurely along. The rails were suit.
able enough for the light cars drawn by
the quadrupeds; but it is very different
now when cars quite three times the old
weight rush along at several times the
old rate. In addition the old wooden
girders are rotted in many instances,
causing the rail to sag. This accounts
largely for the rocking motion noticed
by everyone on the Market street cars.
The track is different, however, on
Delaware avenue. The luxury of riding
on that splendid piece of track has made
patrons of the road dissatisfied with the
Market street one.
Along Front street the railway com.
pany are making the necessary i'm
provements and have already repaved
two blocks. 1t is understood that the
railway company will repavc and re.
track two or three of the blocks on
Market street this winter. This work
along the length of the whole track
would call for an immense outlay of
capital.
The company is bound by the terms
OF its character 10 pave within the rails
and for three feet on each side. Section
Z of the act of Incorporation says land
provided also that the said company
shall be required TO keep the pavements
in good repair within the rails of their
tracks, and for the distance Of three feet
on each side thereof"
Director Gawthrop, chairman of the
Street and Sewer Commission, has had
several conferences with the railway
directors and the understanding is that
the Improvements will be made.
ave are urging the railway company
to accomplish the work" Mr.. CAV
throp said, land they are willing and
anxious to do all they can. think the
way they are going to do the work will
make very good job"
The new tram rail to be laid on Mar.
ket street will be level with the street
grade outside the track, but between the
rails there will be dip of an inch. The
Belgian block paving will be SO laid
that the ends of the blocks are at right
angles with the track and not as al
present on Market street, laid parallel
with the track.
The paving of the streets by the rail.
way company, as enjoined in tho sec.
ton quoted, means a saving to the city
in the area of that quantity of street
paving, Of the sum of $4,000 on every
mile of paved streets.