The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-06-19
THE NEW ROAD OPENED.
IONG-LOOKED FOR ELECTRIC CARS
RUNNING on BRO4D STREET.
The Road Complete Successful Wins
High Euconiuins From the Onl-
Gals Of the City.

Tho elegant clfttlcdhA ~ VI'i'N '''"
OF the Traction Company sped up and
down Broad street yesterday afternoon
over eight miles OF track. and new
era dawned In rapid transit IN Richmond.
The cars went gliding up and down
tine long steep grades on either side OF
shockoo valley, with an case and speed
that was a revelation to the uniniuated'
The motion being like the steady run OF a
solid Pullman train.
THOSE WHO WENT.
II was the time set FOR the formal open
ing OF the road. and Ia response 10 inVi-
tations sent out by Mr.. John SHELTON
williams, president Of the company, the
city Council. city officers, and many other
citizens assembled at the city Han 10
make the trial trip.
At 8 o'clock, the hour set the heavens
opened with a tremendous down-pour,
! and except the first TWO cars started the
trip was delayed for some time. The
cars. however continued during tho
storm. when lightning was flashing bright.
and il seemed in no way TO interfere with
their running.
Finally. with the storm over. other cars
street. and the tracks were kept lively
with their whiz as they sped back and
forth. from east to west along the length
Of Broad street. the sidewalks lined on
either side with sdmiring citizens.
BEAUTIFUL CARS.
Tho cars are white. with tlue trim
mings and yellow-striped curtains. The
joining Is IN natural wood. light color. and
the brass work ia profuse. Electric bells
aid the passenger IN stopping the car.
and a lever with brass handles at inter-
walls takes the place Of the strap for
registering fares. a guard bar comes
down automatically on other side I'm
slides. and is raised when passengers de-
sire 10 get on or of. The car IS brilliantly
lighted by three triple electric lights and
the seats are roomy and comfortable. The
conductor and mortorneer are dressed In
suits Of Confederate gray, with white
caps and present a neatly appearance.
Many were tho expressions Of salts
faction yeterday by the citizens who &C
ccpted tho courtesy of the company. and
rode over the line from Chimborazo Park
10 the Exposition Grounds and an agreed
that IT would add greatly 10 the value
OF property on Church Hin and along
Broad street.
ElGI1l MILES OI iltAlhs
The number Of miles Of track now
ready for use is eight. Within the next
few days the cars viii be able 10 run over
ten miles Of track BY June 2oth it is
expected that the extension 10 the New
Reservoir Park will be completed. The
Venable-street line will also be pushed 10
completion.
The company viii operate twenty-eight
, md ara nm a.
way Twenty cf the cars are the very
finest ever turned out OF any car shop
for street railway purposes. It is claim
ed.
Sixteen cars have been bought especial
~ for the accommodation of street-car
travel during the reunion.
Within a few days d regular schedule
viii be put in operation Cars viii Dee
run. however, to-day. The management
is confident that the schedule VIII
adequate 10 the demands OF the great
crowds week after next.
An officer Of the new company stated
! yesterday that no transfer arrangement
has been made with the old company.
though the former company was will
ing 10 make a transfer arrangement.
During the reunion the old company's
cars are To run over the tracks Of the
new company 10 the Exposition Grounds.
CAPABLE EMPLOYEES.
General Manager Habliston. who was
employed the conductors and mOtOrmen.
has been very caref.l On the selection
Of employees lie has engaged none but
picked men. Every motorman Is q man
of experience and reliable. No inexper-
enced men have been employed. In en-
gaging men ability 10 run the cars was
E4 d 3D. how laf Itaf
employees were required 10 be Iuchmond
men. Although Mr.. Hahliston IS "a Peters
burg man, he has brought nO help from
that city.
The officers and heads OF departments
are an young, mature business men.
who have been successful ln their every
undertaking They are: President Mr.
John SHELTON Williams. Nice-president and
General Manager, Mr. William VI Hub
liston. Secretary, Nh Everett Waddey.
Treasurer Mn. Il. Lancaster Williams.
General Attorney. Mr.. Philip y. Shield:
General Counsel. Messrs. Henry and VII
lams. CHIEF Engineer. Mr. A. Langstaf
Johnston. Superintendent. Mr.. Edward J.
Willis, Superintendent Of Line Consturc-
ton. Mr.. r. y. King: Assistant Engineer.
Samuel 7. C0watdia. Assistant Treasur-
cr. j. Addison Cook Chief Clerk. William
VI. Jones.
A WEII-BUILT LINE.
The line was built by NJ. James T.
Bradley. of Manchester. and is said by
street railroad experts 10 be the best
piece cf trolley ROAD 90 the South. Mr.
bradley has given The road his personal
attention. ard IS entitled TO great credit
THE same gentleman who cOmplimented
Mr.. Bradley said:
IT can on.s express my wonder and adj
mfauon or the economy and good man
agemcut exercised IN the building ~ this
road. II not only shows progressive and
able direction OF The compauys affairs
hut that young men of the best Of bust
ness material are II the helm. The
power house Is ;he best ] have seen"
The entire cost of the road and equip
ment is ia the neighbcrhood Of S375. 200.
LUNCH SERVED.
An elegant lunch was spread NJ the
Exposition Grounds for the guests OF the
company. The President. Mr.. John Skel-
ton Williams. and the Nice-President. Mrs
William VI Habliston. did the honors 81
the occasion. and Mr. J. ". Mittendorf
represented the Baltimore interest.
Owing 10 the bursting OF a culvert In
the track ~ Shafer street on account OF
tho heavy rain. a number Of the expected
guests did not reach the scene Of the
refreshments.