The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-04-20
TO NORTH WHEELING.
The Wheeling Railway Win Apply
for a Franchise for
A DOUBLE TRACK UP MAIN STREET
Nearly to the Top Mill, and Extend
the Electric Service Up There
Former Opposition to the Scheme
Has Vapished-Why the Market
Street Extension is Not Practical

When the matter OF the construction
of double street car track on North
Main street, from Tenth street up, was
preached some time ago, there was
quite a burst OF indignation and oppo'
sitlon to the franchise being granted
the Wheeling railway company by
council. Since then the present ex.
cellent electric street car service on the
loop and over the river has come into
existence, and as a consequence the
average North End resident boards his
mule line car with feeling of envy for
his more forum ate fellow citizens who
have at their command well equipped
electric service, frequent cars and q
quick schedule. This condition OF
affairs has combined to effect q revul.
sion OF sentiment among residents in
the northern part OF the city along and
in the vicinity Of the proposed double
track. II is not thought that the ap-
plication Of the company to Council for
franchise 10 build the double track
will meet with the opposition it had
before.
It has been stated that double track
up Main street would not be necessary
in order to extend the electric service
to the North End, but that the object
could be attained by constructing u
loop, extending the Market street line
UP that thoroughfare to Seventh and
down the latter to Main, This scheme
could not be carried out on account Of
its impracticability. The down grade
on Seventh from Market to Main is
1910, while the heaviest one on the road
at present is on Main from Eleventh to
Twelfth, which is $780, The Main street
grade ia much heavier than is desirable,
80 that the ono on Seventh has the
same objection in greater ratio. In
addition TO this sharp curve at the
foot OF Seventh at its junction with
Main would be necessary, and this
makes that route impossible. General
Manager Jolly has submitted the draw.
ings 10 several eminent civil engineers,
and all declare the grade too heavy and
the curve too sharp. 1t would be un.
safe to run cars down Seventh street on
the steep grade with the sharp curve at
the bottom, and the company is unwilI-
ing to assume the risk. It will be seen
therefore that the only way in which
the North End can have electric service
ia by double tacka,
Mr.. Jolly was seen last night and
asked to give some information as to
the proposed double tracks.
ut is our intention" said the general
manager, ito apply to the City Council
at an early date for franchise for these
tracks up Main street from Tenth for n
distance OF about a mile, the upper
terminus being just beyond the present
turntRble near the Top mill. / know
that q great deal OF the former opposl-
ton 10 double track on Main has dis
appeared, the people along that street
recognizing the impracticablllty Of any
other route or plan by which they can
secure quick street car service. 1t is
impossible for our company to put on
electric service there with the present
single track and switches. An accident
or delay there would hold back
the entire line throughout the
city, and a quick service
could not be furnished. The latter
is necessary to get North End patron
age, as it is SO near the center of the
city, that it would not be patronized un-
less quick. The cost OF constructing
this track alone would be over $l5, 900,
but we are confident the people want a
quick service, and will appreciate our
efforts to give them such one. If we
get the franchise the loop would take in
the North End, giving the people there
equally as good service as is given in
any part Of the city. We are, OF course,
anxious to secure the franchise so as to
make our entire system a tirst-class one.
We would then have over fifteen miles
OF electric railway, making one Of the
largest in the country.