Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-11-19

OF costly highways, are llkely 10 De
solved by this new competitor, which
may render both Of secondary impor
lance. The lines now running into
this city from Mt. Clemens and Pom
tiac, are To be supplemented with AN
o.her xtending To Ann Arbor by con-
nection with the line between that city
and Ypsilanti at the latter point. This
means cheaper rates of fare, or at lea Il
it has wherever the trolley line has
been extended. The advantage of the
trolley line is its cheapness, and the
manner in which it can accommodate
the travelling public gong short distan-
ces. Thus the line is always charged,
and car, or two Of them, can be start
ed from given point every halt hour,
or less if necessary, without any addi-
tional expense except a mOtorman and
conductor. The greater the number
of cars acquired to meet the demands
of the pubic, the greater the profit to
the company. In case of railways
every additional train started costs Just
as much to bring 1t TO its destination
as if il was the only one running over
the line, The expense of each train Is
positively fixed, and cannot be got be.
low that point, no matter how many
trains are run. nor does the number of
trans cut down the expense of each.
This is true of freight as well as pas
senger trains. Railways are therefore
compelled to limit their trains to the
number OF passengers and amount of
freight which are carried over the line,
rs the great cost would bankrupt a line
which ran trains in excess of its bust
ness requirements With trolley lines
the question of cheap fares and freights
will surely be settled.
In Great Britain trolley line run
ming between the market towns of Bess-
brook and Newry, through rich farm.
ing disu let, makes substantial addl-
ton to lis receipts 10y hauling farm
wagons over its lines, which are at
tacAed to the motor ear in place of a
trailer In order 10 keep the wagon ON
the track second pair OF rails is laid
inside the working tracks, and slightly
higher. This line runs directly to the
business center of each town, where
the wagons are drawn aside and run
iato their places by a half dozen men,
who are paid few pence each by the
farmer for this service. 1t is, therefore,
possible for a farmer to bring his pro-
duce to market and dispose of 1t with
out the aid of horses. 1t Is not an I'M
common sight, and always rather
amusing one, to see numbering farm
wagon, loaded with hay or produce,
lying along behind motor car on its
way to market. The farmer taxes kind.
ly to this scheme, as it is saving of
money as well as Eorse-tlesh.
This serves to show the possibilities
of II trolley line, aud we think few
years will see the vegetables, fruits,
milk, eggs and butter supply of the
large cities, brought to market over
trolley lines. The farmer viii not have
to hurry up to catch a special train,
aud if it is missed, be compelled to
wait six or eight hours before he can
ship his products. The muddy road
of tai and winter will then have no
tcrroro for the farmer living near a
trolley line.
TO the traveller the trOlly line will
present many advantages. he will not
have to reach a depot at a certain hour
to eaten train, rs be can board troll
ley car wherever he strikes it, and ears
will be running at all hours. The same
advantages will be enjoyed by the fam
en- and his family, who can drive to the
nearest point at which the line can be
reached, instead Of to a depot several
miles away. The saving in time and
trouble will be large item in favor of
the trolley.
The question of building improved
through the country will soon,
we believe, give way to the more inn
portant one of the inception and ex-
tension of trolley lines. Through their
influence the relations between the res
ldents of cities and villages and he
community, will become much |
closer, to the benefit of each, and will
have an important influence ON render
ing lite on the farm mere pleasant, be-
cause it will keep farm residents in
closer touch with the outside world !
Michigan Farmer.