New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-18
THE RAILROADS AND THE ECLIPSE.

Already, more than two months before the
total eclipse of the sun announced for May %,
hundreds of wdeawake people discussing
the feasibility of a trip to Dixie to witness that
interesting phenomenon; and newspaper refer
ences to the subject during the next few weeks
will greatly increase the number. When the
American public once realizes that the spectacle
referred to is the first be visible in the United
States east of the Mississippi for over thirty
years. and the last for eighteen, 1t will perceive
that the opportunity about to be afforded is
highly exceptional. 1t seems probable. there
fore. that If information and advice in regard to
routes and desirable places for observation be
spontaneously furnished by the railway COM
panes whose lines extend into the eclipse belt
and especially II excursion rates should be Of
fered there would be a formidable invasion OF
the South next May Were those companies to
consider the matter carefully, they might decide
that It is for their interest to take such action
in the future.
One objection to planning excursions that pre-
sents Itself will. on examination, be found less
serious than 1T appears at first The situation
Is not to be sure exactly like that arising when
a political mass meeting State fair Is to be
held. The show is not confined to one spot.
Were the eclipse to be only in single
place, instead of along path fifty miles wide
and reaching from Louisiana to the Chesapeake,
and the prospect of a fair pecuniary return to
the railways for their trouble would be I'M
proved. However, eligible posts of observation
are much scarcer than might be imagined In
the first place, 1t is essential that one should
station himself as near the centre Of the belt as
possible. Secondly, the majority Of persons VINO
go South merely for this purpose will prefer
a site close to a railroad station; and in the
whole State of North Carolina there are less
tGoy, far1 i,,aS that tha of he
Still narrower limits will be drawn to ones
choice by the necessity for hotel accommoda-
tions-for the event occurs at early hour in
the morning, and Monday morning, too-and
for a clear outlook to the eastward such
might be had a hilltop Scrutiny of dozen
or more apparently available places, therefore
would doubtless reveal the distinct superiority
of two three TO all the others
There are some other considerations to be
kept in view. The further south of Mason's
and Dixon's line the Northern observer goes the
more 1t will cost him. and the more time he will
take from business. The duration of the spec
tacle is longer in Virginia than in Louisiana. 1t
is estimated, for instance that totally will last
seventy-eight seconds in New-Orleans, ninety
two in Union Point, Ga, and LOG at Cape Henry.
Moreover. the suns altitude will be greater at
the northeastern end of the path than at the
southwestern. On the other hand, statistics col
lected by the Weather Bureau show that the
chances of clear skies better in Georgia and
Alabama than near the Atlantic or Gulf Coast.
Professional astronomers and those who have
plenty of time and money will go where there
is the best chance of fine weather But other
people will risk something in this last respect,
and think about expense. time spent away from
home the height of the sun and the duration
of the eclipse For them, everything considered,
a spot somewhere between Cape Henry Va.
and Wadesboro, N. c. will prove the most salts
factory. Beyond doubt there railway off,
Gals in the South who are familiar enough with
topography and local advantages TO say which
two or three places most nearly meet the re-
quirements here indicated for excursionists from
New York and ew-England. BY giving pub
lefty to the facts and offering reduced rates of
transportation the railroad companies could
render an acceptable public service.