The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-10-10
THE EXTENSION OF THE LOOP.

There are three points of view from
which the question of extending the
loop Of the street railway down Fifth
to Broadway and thence to Eighth
street may be considered; in two Of
which it has been fully presented by
the advocates of extension and reten-
ton. The first of these is that held by
those interested in retaining the loop
in it's present location, including those
who have direct financial interest, as
well as those whose interest is less ma
terial. The second point is of the same
nature, and is held by those who would
be, or think they would be benefited
either financially or in a matter Of con-
venience by the extension. The third
point of view, and the only one which
the G b e can take, is the interests
of the general public of the city. Will
they be any better served by extending
the loop as proposed? If so then no
personal interests of individuals in
either section should be permitted to
stand in the way. Railways are in
tended for general, not private benefit.
Taking this view, we are convinced
that the weight of reason is on the side
of the retention Of the loop as 1t now is,
until, at least, conditions materially
change from those existing to others
that may develop in the future growth
Of the city. That is not present ques-
ton, and the other is, and 1t should be
determined by q consideration Of condi-
lions as they now are. What are the
interests of the general public as con-
nected with a street railway system
and how can that system best serve il?
Clearly it Is to convey people from the
remoter portions of the city to those
visits can be the most readily and ex-
peditiously accomplished Of these
there are two classes, those who come
in to their daily work and those who
come in to make the daily purchases
for the household. From the former
class we have heard nothing to indicate
that they are not well served by the
present system, the transfers making
any portion Of the center Of the city ac-
cessible. For the latter class 1t Is clear
that the lines from the outskirts should
converge and surround that portion of
the city where the retail trade of the
city has established itself, and where,
within the smallest radius, shoppers
can find the various articles they are
in search of. Whether that center is
located because Of the location of the
lines or not is immaterial to the view
we take of the question. That it is as
ISOLATED with the present status is, as
far as our view is concerned, a coinci-
dence. Should that center ever shift,
as 1t has shifted, to some other portion
of the city, we should insist upon the
change Of the loop to accommodate
those wishing to reach the retail CEN
ter. as, for the same reason, we now
urge the retention of the present loop
OF the arguments made for the ex-
tension the only one that falls within
the point of view taken by the G O b e
is that 1t will enable persons intending
to take the train to get. without change
of car, two blocks nearer the depot
than at present. We have heretofore
urged the construction of a loop that
would permit the cars to receive and
discharge passengers at and not within
two blocks of the depot, and we believe
that this is necessary improvement
that should not be endangered by the
concession that would be claimed to
have been made were the proposed ex-
| tension Of the loop granted. We would
| have the public better served than this
| argument contemplates. So far as the
employees Of the district to be served by
the extension are concerned, aside from
| the fact that they are small portion
of the general public. ell parts of the