The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-18
The Passing of the Horse.

Tt is probable that within the next
ten days authority will be given to
those who control the Metropolitan
street railway system in New York to
change the motive power now in use on
the Second avenue line to electric power
furnished by the under trolley appara-
tus When that is done the last of the
avenue lines that are of real import
ance for street traffic will have aban-
doned animal power. One or two minor
north and south lines still use horse
power, and the line which TANKS the
city on either water front may be COM
PEELED to continue to employ horse
power, since the same engineering diff
ficulties may prevent the installation of
the under trolley there that are report
ed to make that installation prohibitive
in Chicago. This belt line runs over
made land, and at times of high tide
or violent rains it is apt to be flooded
in many parts.
On the very day that the announce
ment is made that the application will
be made by William c. Whitney and
his associates for this final change of
motive power comes an announcement
which is of great significance because it
indicates that just as the street railway
company is abandoning completely the
employment of horses, there come con-
vincing proofs that the animal is speed
lily to be discarded so far as commercial
purposes are concerned from the high
ways of this city.
The Sun considers this Information
important enough to serve as topic for
its first editorial, and asserts that it
seems certain that before long the horse
will be taken away from vehicles of all
sorts in this town as completely as he
has been taken away from the street
cars. In fact, the horse will ultimately
in New York city be limited to an ar
path and sspeedWayS.
The automotor is now in such fire.
quent use in this city that it no longer
excites the interest of the curious or is
looked upon as marvel. The carriage
wendS its way without difficulty
through the most crowded parts of
those streets that are given up to heavy
traffic, and the ease and CELEBRITY with
which it can dodge, turn, double on
itself, are only to be matched by SIM
liar qualities displayed by the youths
who are familiar with street life in
New York. The horse does not COM
pare with it with respect to the abso-
lutte control of it which the driver pos
sesses.
for public. use some 300 trucks driven
automatically, just as the automotors,
and the incOrporatorS of the company
having this business in view have so
great faith in the demand which will
be created for these automatic trucks
that they have invested their capital
freely, and have spent large amount
of money in buying plants that are
capable of building these machines. Mr..
Letter not only seems to be fully con-
WINGED that there is more profit in the
development of this industry than in
the wheat pitt but has persuaded very
powerful financial interests of the
soundness of his view.
These changes involve the creation of
new wealth, which may ultimately be
found to rival that wealth which the
commercial use of electricity has de-
Yeloped, and there are experts who are
able to figure great economies for those
who are compelled to employ trucks in
the use of these automatic trucks as
compared with those drawn by horses.
The problems which confront the street
cleaning department will be vastly sim
plified when the day comes that the
horse is a comparative stranger upon
our streets, and some enthusiasts
here go so far as to predict that Mr..
Whitney and his associates Will be COM
PEELED in self-protection to establish