New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-18
MANCHESTER TRAMWAYS.
HOW AN ENGLISH CITY is SOLVING
THE LOCAL TRANSIT PROBLEM
BY ELECTRIC TRACTION UNDER
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP AND
MANAGEMENT
Manchester. November 30


Manchester November 30
The management of tramways in English and
Scotch cities is an interesting study in munich
pal socialism and deliberate conservatism. Ad-
vanced principles OF collcctvsm for the pro-
motion of the welfare Of the masses have been
accompanied by extreme backwardness in the
introduction of new mechanical appliances and
methods of traction. In one respect these great
towns have been o long way in advance Of mu-
inequalities in other enlightened countries and in
another respect they have been behind the
times. Many Of them began with the sound
policy OF never surrcndering their streets to
private corporations. and many of those which
allowed tramway companies to lay the rails soon
discovered their mistake. and purchased the
undertakings In this way the principal mu-
inequalities have owned the tramways and
leased the privilege Of using and operating
them The leases have ordinarily been limited
10 twenty wears. and the renewal Of them
has been a matter Of uncertainty. Consequently
the private companies have not introduced any
substitute for horse power This is the prac-
teal explanation Of the singular fact that street.
cars are now drawn by horses in Great Britain.
when electric traction has been successfully en-
plOyed on a large scale in America, Germany
France and Continental countries. Backward
these municipalities are forward in applying
principles Of oollectivism AS the leases now
fall in. one great town after another is taking
UP the business of operating the tramways and
OF introducing electric traction.
Nanchester's experience with tranways VIII
illustrate the whole matter About 1873 the
CORPORATION entered upon the construction Of
street railways. laying the rails and leasing the
privilege Of operating the lines TO companies
which paid the town more than 10 per cent upon
the investment. The expense Of repairs TO the
tracks was charged 10 the operating companies
and after all payments for interest and sinking
funds have been met there has been good
profit for the town treasury in rentals The SIS
ter city Of Stafford has pursued a similar policy,
and indeed leased its tramways TO the same
private company. The leases have contained
strict provisions for regulating fares. especially
during woIkmen's hours. and for securing ire
ouency Of service. 1t has been an admirable
system OF streetcars under the old-fashloned
conditions Of horse power. The town, with the
exception Of ten miles of private lines, owned
the tramways. received a large return from the
investment and retained full control over the
streets. Everything that could be done with
horse mower as a motor has been accomplished;
hut an improved system Of local transit by cleo
,ric traction could not be provided. The pri-
vate companies having a short lease could not
venture 10 experiment with trolleys Manchester
IN its transit system was about ten years be-
hind the times.
About two years ago the City Council entered
into 4, full consideration OF the whole SUBJECT
one lease was 10 fall in this year and the re-
naming leases would expire in l9Ol' ana 'here
were various suburban lines whose privileges
extended to later dates. The Town Council de-
cjded not TO renew any leases beyonu looi' ou'
20 apply to Parliament for authority 70 operate
the tramways. An arrangement was mace With
the Stafford corporation by which certain ie"aV9
expiring in 1895 were extended so as 10 DC
oo,orni,ous with the main Manchester tram
way leases closing carly in 1901. Inc Pr'Fa'e
,ornnaries offered TO introduce electric traction
II their leases could be renewed FOR ions
neriod but negotiations were broken OF, ana the
ro,., Council obtained from Parliament fuh au-
,bor,,v for municipal operation Of all the tram
uave and the Introduction Of electric traction
7, .b,c vav TWO gre at changes are TO be orousht
ahou, in the spring Of 1901. The entire rani-
vav service Of Manchester and salford ana '"er
s,burhs is TO be municipalized, or Drought
under town management, Ike 'he uia'"ae0
svste,n or the cleaning Of the Streets anu e'e0-
,,c tre ction is to be substituted Tor morse
70 Manchester in its transit system Is no" De-
h,rd the times. IL will speedily be long way
IN advance Of them.
REVOLUTION IN A DAY
x, M NcFlroy the treasurer OF the Tram
,ovs COMMITTED TO whom was INTRODUCE "a
~. Tovn Hall through the courtesy OF tie en-
,or, American Consul. Mr.. Wilhafn r. vi NM
<vr,a,ned TO me the extraordinary siiiip''o'''
,bese radical changes. lie p'"Duo'N ,
.hou.,ny IN various colors the compieA "e. - ;,
., street. railways in Manchester. "o''o-N
~ suburbs. The entire system IS 10 DC .o-i
,ar,e6 into a municipal electric seiNi ~
-. tho suburban lines have aHeduS 10"
chased by the corporation, ana others a, o,r
,o,,ob, or otherwise controlled. Inc man
,runk systems Of the two Clues a'e "
sa. noun,c,nal management on the e*pia
,,on OF the existing leases. Inc oi'i' I'm =. r.
,oor,es when their leases expire Will NC =.
=, house tenant at the close OF
rbev will have TO move out anu i0'''
80 IN nossession OF the property ->.''"O
- NOR Ears nor stables VIII ne pun
.oun All arrangements VIII DE ii"uo -
,.,o. 40 that there Will be TO nv 49,
20 che service. Poles and wires WI" &c a
.,sctr,c cars will be provided s'a', .sro,
..--,ouses established and "orh"s 49,
,,aa ON the last day or 'end"O'
,,u he drawing streetcars th'ous IT.,
,aa.ars and solford. on the next oay INV
,aass ., the private companies VIII ceaSe az,
,hsr. viii be a complete electric system
municipal management.
.s,sa Mr.. McElroy why the city OF "'. .,
.hester had decided TO Introduce "oiiI' g.
,h. overhead wire. when recent eAp'i'," a.,o,
New-york. washington. Budapest anu -,
cities had demonstrated the super AMER
underground conduit. and "heh M, - ,,aor
Paker had reported strongly 10 80" a,.s+ero
County Council in favor OF ''ie '"'. .l nacu,,ar
He replied that the circuhs '""0'' -, 10 dis
since the tramway companies .o .D,ration o
unit the eXllldtIVH ~