The Somerset reporter., 1894-05-24
Electric Railroads.

fhrre are some things about Transport
tatiou and facilities tor travelling that
are somewhat difficult to account for.
Ten years ago in the city Of Augusta
there vas but one Ten Cent team and
one hack beside the hotel coaches: five
years ago when the electric street sys-
TEN, Augusta to Gardiner, VAS put in
the number of ten cent teams had in
creased to seven or eight aud the pro-
prietors generally regarded the building
of the road death blow to their bust
ness. One man secured employment
on the road, using the argument that the
road would destroy his means of sup
porting his family. Now after the road
has been running successfully these
years the number of carriages for the
accommodation of the public in that city
has increased to about twenty.
Aside from the Maine Central railroad
the accommodation of the public between
Fairfield and Watervlle before the
il'i - NhiS Ntlf ihiloihNfi NbllSlsltl VI
one horse and delapidated vehicle not
oyerburdened with patronage. The
wiseacres said the horse railway would
never pay there and people generally
doubted its eXpediency. The result is
well know u. The road was a success,
from the start and is now changed to IL
,,.o1l al. A. ri, -, 1
vantage of the people and business of
both towns. Ten cent teams have been
multiplied in Wateryile also. since this
road has been in operation.
\ long ago exploded theory was that
steam railroads would do away with the
use of horses, and the theory now urged
that electric roads damage the livery
business is being exploded wherever
there is opportunity to test it.
We are nov looking with confidence
TO an electric railroad, as a means of
connecting Norlidgewock and skoWhe-
gan aud thus supply the Link" about
which so much has been said in the
REPORTER and elsewhere during the
half-dozen years past.
We have warmly advocated the con-
struction of railroad to connect the
Maine Central and the Somerset systems
and have been considerably disappointed
that it did not go along. There were
obstacles in the way of the project. 4
considerable portion of our citizens have
been opposed to it all the way through.
The advantage of being terminus to II
well established road has had weight
with many. This adyantag' We have
never attempted to ignore but contended
that the advantages of connection with
up-river towns would many times com
pensate for it.
The connecting of the two villages.
Skowhegan and South NorridgcWock,
and the two railway systems. Maine
Central and Somerset, by an electric
road has advantages that would not ac-
cruc to IA steam road connection.
SkoWhcgan would retain whatever add
vantage comes by being the terminus
of the Skowhegan branch of the Maine
Central. 1t would remain the stopping
place and home Of Just as many railroad
men rs without it, and there would prob
ably be the addition of the men required
to run the electric road. Both Norlidge-
wock and Skowhegan would have the
advantage of more fire. quent trips over
the line. \ steam road would make no
more than I'VE round trips each dav
while the electric car would probably
make AT least six, The fare ON the for
mer would be - cents each way. while
on the latter ii would probably be 10
cents. One would have the advantage
of being able to get on or off at any
point along the line and thus business
would not be confined to the two termi-
nal points. n would be the case with
steam connection.
The business to sustain Il road is one
of the vital considerations One cannot
tell what any business will be until it
has had opportunity to develop. l'hi, Is
specially the case with trans portion.
Providing the facilities for travel has Il
wonderful effect upon developing it aud
Judging by the effect the electric road
has had in many other places we are led
to believe that This proposed road would
be a paying institution if not on the
start Very -uon thereafter.
The only out about ii i, the >ile of
the village Of NorridgeWock If Nor
ridgewocl> were twice As large As it Is.
electric railroad builders would have had
these places united by the iron and
the trolley wire long ago. But to offset
this it must be borne in mind that it is
not the two Villages alone that are to he
connected but that in connecting Nor
ridgewock To Skowhegan. the Villages of
Madison. Arson, North .Auson, Soon