Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-12-16
Electric Railways.
Ellicott CRY Times.

countes IaVoraOly situated with suthcien
populations, will be gridironed with them
ere long. Howard county is oil that coult
be desired in this respect, and must eventu
ally attract the attention Of capitalists. ANY
one taking the trouble to consult the mar
will at once see that line from Sykesvillt
to Laurel is an urgent Eecerrity. 1t would
form almost direct line to Washington
But such line would be very incomplete
without line from Ellicott City to Rock
vile. 1t would make system that could
not help but pay, besides opening up some
OF the most desirable sections of Maryland
An electric line leaving Ellicott City fol
Rockville by veering little to the north
west would go near st. Charles College and
cross almost at right angles the Laurel.
Sykesvile line at a point near GAINESVILLE
These lines once completed, large amount
of untraversed territory would be brought
In quick communication with Baltimore,
Washington and number of other import.
ant points. Farmers and others could do q
good deal toward encouraging such an en-
terprise by offering rights of way, &C.
Property along the lines would increase in
value not less than ten per cent and farmers
could afford to assist q company undertak.
ing the work very materially and profit in
the end.
An advantage not to be overlooked would
be the distribution of power among the
farmers. For distance of at least five
miles on either side Of the tracks electricity
could be used for all purposes of the farm
requiring power, such as threshing, saving,
grinding, &c, to be turned on during any
hour OF the day. Country homes also would
be modernized by the use OF electric lights
Would such system pay2 Let US see.
The distance from Sykesville to Laurel is 30
miles; from Ellicott City to Rockville about
80 miles-50 miles in all. 1t is estimated
that electric railways over routes fairly
favorable as regards typographical features,
can be put down at the cost of 5000 per
mile. This would involve an expense of
$250,000 for the so miles 1t Is estimated
appurtenances would cost 100000 more,
making total cost Of the two lines $450,O00.
1t would be difficult TO approximate the pos
sble business that would accrue from such
system. 1t is reasonable to believe that II
would increase from year to year. Would
not the operating expenses over run the re.
ceIpts would naturally be the query of the
capitalist. Why should itH The sections
traversed are populous aud there is not
resident but who would say the system is
something to be desired. Ten cars each
would doubtless be necessary 10 equip the
two lines, five running each way-requiring
forty men to man the cars. The pay roll of
this force would be about $50 per day. 1t
is thought the expense of running the power
houses would not exceed $50 per day, max.
ing total expense for these two items $3.50
per day. In order to meet this outlay 400
passengers per day at 40 cents each would be
necessary between Ellicott City and Rock.
vile; 400 per day at 30 cents each between
Sykesvlle and Laurel, making receipts from
both lines per day $3.50, leaving a balance
of $3.50 per day, or $43.SOO for 1856 days to
cover incidental expenses and to pay inter
est on the investment.
We believe there is nothing wild or Chi.
merics about these estimates, on the con
trary are we'll within the pale of practical
realization. Other electric lines within the
borders of our own State, less favo rably
though recently built, are in full
tide of prosperity, and residents along the
lines are enthusiastic over benefits which to
them but a short time ago were las they
thought) the "baseless fabric of a vision"
when the projects were b-oached.
The electric line, electric light, the tele-
phone, aud not many years hence the horse.
less carriage, will have tendency to brighten
life and the tide Of humanity which
has been concentrating In the cities will be
turned back TO the country and it will not
be long before decided change for the bet
ter in the social and physical, and may we
not say, the moral aud mental, condition of
those residing In the country will be oh.
served.
AS we said at the outset of this article
farmers should hold out every inducement
in their power TO capitalists that they may
be attracted TO what is inevitable In the not
very far future--an electric line running
through every populods section not already
covered by steam railways, and even these
10 many sections have not prevented electric
lines for the more perfect accommodation Of
the people.