Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-25
Norfolk'S Street Railway Ser
vice Unexcelled Anywhere.
Mr.. R. LANCASTER WILLIAMS
President of tho Company, ono of tho
most Prominent Young Business
Men in tho Stntc-More Than -,
People Employed, Twonty MILF.
OF Tr"ch-L Largo Pay RoII-Tho
Officers.

1t is safe to say that no city in this
country with population the size of
Norfolk has as good street car service
as this city. The track is excellent. the
cars are clean and comfortable. the
schedule time is perfectly satisfactory.
the motormen and conductors are cour-
teous and attentive to their duties, and
the system traverscs most OF the prin-
clpal thoroughfares. Indeed, 1t is a fact
that most any section of the city is
conveniently reached by trolley car.
THE PRESENT COMPANY.
inc street railway system here went
INTO the control of the present company
the iall of 1897, and Mr.. Il. Lancaster
Williams. of Richmond, was CHOSEN
president. The road was in good condi-
ton. having been built by the Vernon
Company, of Pittsburg. The new COM
pany took charge with the determine
ton not only to keep the system up 10
the high standard started out by their
predecessors. but TO improve it where
ever opportunity. offered.
This determination has been strictly
adhered to, as is evidenced by the pres
ent splendid condition of the road The
81
every respect, every Improvement that
is discovered is added. The open cars
FOR summer use were added to the COM
panys equipment under the present
management.
MANY MILES OF TRACK.
The company has more than twenty
miles of track in the city and suburbs.
n seven-inch eighty pound steel girdcr
ran being used. Their tracks are all
laid on excellent road beds and insure
the smoothcst riding
The company's cars are equipped with
the latest and best machinery and are
Kept in excellent condition. They are
clean, neat, and being of the best make.
the riding Is always easy and pleasant
The rolling stock consists of over nifty
nrst-class cars. many of them being
built like railway coaches. with an aisle
through the centre and seats on either
side.
twenty-five ears are being used over
the system at the present time but
during the summer months this number
is increased. Whenever special occa-
Slons demand II. extra cars are put on
and regardless OF the size Of the crowds
there is never any trouble handling
them.
FAST TIME SCHEDULE.
An excellent and fast schedule is al
ways maintained. the cars running only
apart. OH Main street,
from Church to CRANKY, and then over
CRANKY street. the cars run less than
three minutes apart. as the Bramble-
ton and Church street cars both pass
over that part of the route Cars run
TO the City Park. to Lambcrt's Point.
Atlantic bridge and to the eastern ter
minus Of Braynbleton avenue. and ira
Verse in the city. Main, Church, Queen.
Front. CRANKY. Bank, Botetourt, Brew
err Butte and York streets; Redgatc.
Cooley. Brambleton. Clay, Park and
Levitt avenues and Olney road.
Ihere is in course of construction an
addition to the Lambert's Point route
OF two miles. This will soon be COM
pieted. and will open up transportation
to thickly settled section OF that
growing suburb. The new piece of
road will reach much nearer the Coun-
try CUB than the former route.
MANY PEOPLE EMPLOYED.
There are in the employ of the COM
pany about 12o men, and the weekly
Pay-roll amounts To from $1,000 to ST.
200. The polite and courteous conduct
OF the men is indication of the class OF
people employed.
The Inc following are the officers of the
company: X. Lancaster Williams
president: Frank O. Briggs. vice-presi-
dent; II. G. Whitehead. secretary and
assistant treasurer: w. H. Doyle. treas
urer; VIM. NJ. Rosborough. general
manager Board of Directors-R. Ian
caster Williams. Richmond: Frank q.
Briggs. Trenton, n. j.. j. NJ. hidden
dorf: charles r. Spence. Robert c.
Davidson. Baltimore: w. NJ Habliston
Petersburg: w. II. Doyle. r. b. Cook
J. i. Andre Mottu and j. w. Perry.
Norfolk.
PRESIDENT WILLIAMS.
Mr.. II. Lancaster Williams. presi-
dent OF the company, is possibly the
youngest man in the country holding
so high position. He is member of
the banking firm of John l.. Williams
Sons. of Richmond; is a director of
the Citizens Bank. of Richmond: of
the Richmond Traction Company;
president of the Petersburg Street Rail
way Company. and is an officer or di-
rector in several other corporations.
He is one of the best posted men in
the State on finance, and his chart on
the rise and fall of silver published A
lew years ago has achieved n nationa!
reputation. He is Il younger brother
OF Mr.. John SHELTON Williams. and il
is safe 10 say that few young men of
his age have achieved so high a posi-
ton in the business world as r. Ian
caster Williams. He is a great favor
lite in social as well as business circles.
THE OCEAN VIEW ROAD.
Operated largely by the same officers
as those of the Norfolk Street Car Com
pany is the Norfolk and Ocean View
Railway Company. This line, as its
name indicates. operates between Nor
folk and Ocean View and Willoughby
wharf, thence by steamer 70 Old Point
Comfort. This is the quickest route
from Norfolk to Old Point. the run be-
ing made in fifty minutes.
The railroad from here TO Wilughhy
wharf can be operated by steamer or
electricity. as the line is equipped with