The Van Buren press., 1900-05-26
SUPERIOR to the old way that we should

superior to the old way that we snouio
congratulate rather than condemn, Elec-
tricity has taken the place OF the mules,
the rolling stock has been increased ana
greatly improved, and the change for tne
better is marked in every way. Inc
truth is that when you come rlght Gown
TO facts the service and equipment here
will compare very favorably with that OF
other southern cities of equal size, ana
the wages of employees is about tho
same. The public is apt TO be too hasty
in condemning corporations that nave
hundreds of thousand of dollars invested
in public enterprises, jumping at conclu-
sions without due investigation. AS clti-
zens of the state and city We should en-
courage and help to make better, IL -
to the interest Of the street car company
TO make the service the best It possibly
can considering the business II does, ana
1t is much better to reason with It's man
agement than to attempt TO coerce Ihese
remarks are made as matter OF Justlce'
and without intending to cast reflections
upon any Of the parties concerned In
the recent trouble.
The excursion to Hot Springs over tho
new line of railway. popularly known
as the Fordyce road but officially as tho
Little Rock, Hot Springs and Western.
Il
expected that the track, rolling stock
and general equipment would be good
for the very good reason that Col For
dyce is noted for thorough work, put
we did not look for such perfection In
everything appertaining to the road me
road bed is remarkably well made, the
steel very heavy, the cars or the latest
pattern and accordingly expensive, cost
ing over $1,000 each. The heavy engines
and long trains are fast, putting the
road bed in good condition. In fact II
one had not known 1t he would have
though himself riding over an old road
instead OF a bran new one. The couh-
try through which this line runs, cover
ing q distance of flfty-eight miles, IS
very rich In many ways, and promises
big increase in growth and develop
ment right from the start, Aside from
being a good agricultural, fruit and Vege-
table country, there Is plenty OF TIM
ber and mineral of the clay varieties,
notably of bauxite and ochres. Town
sites have been laid out every few miles
in modern shape and there is an evil
dence OF life and prosperity at eacn
point, Inducements are offered to all
classes of people to locate along this new
line. so rich in raw material, and to en-
gage in manufacture, trade and farm-
ing. Without question 1t Is the inten"
tion to push the extension Of the road to
Mena to connect with the great +, IT,
system, Of which Col. Fordyce is presl-
dent. At Little Rock close traffic ar
rangements are In vogue with the Choc-
taw people, which is in itself very i'm
portant, and when the other connection
is made the L. r., II, s. e. W. Railway
will virtually be trunk line opening a
new country. Col. Fordyce expected to
be with us, but he is mighty busy man,
and couldn't make It, However, he was
well represented by Mr. Lonsdale, vice
president, and Mr.. Gregory, general pas
senger and freight agent, who made all
feel at home Editor Wadley, of the
Evening News, and Editor Higgins, OF
the Morning Sentinel-Herald, also were
on deck to extend the welcome of the
Vapor CITY, and to see that we did NOT
get lost. We are authorized by the en-
tire outfit of publishers to return thanks
to their good friend, Col. Fordyce, and
his assistants for the many courtesies ex-
tended on behalf Of the company. Su-
perintendent Fleming and Auditor Mar
tin were not seen much, but their guid-
ing hands were In evidence In many
| ways.