The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-21
MULE CAR DAYS
ARE NUMBERED.
Broad Street Will Soon Have Only
TrolIeys.
The QUESTION OF TRANSFERS.
Presidents of tho Two Richmond
L.aes Will Soon Meet and Ar
range Basis OF Es
change.
The QUESTION OF TRANSFERS.

Il is proposed by the Richmond Passen-
ger and Power Company to put its seve-
raa street-car lines in first-cass condition.
The company IS ready to rehab.litaie lis
system IN accordance with the plans re-
Gently laid before the Council Committee
on Streets. with such changes and modi.i-
cations as that body may make.
I'VE propose TO put the street-car lines
OF this city, controlled By us, in first-ciass
condition." said Mr. George Ainslie. of
counsel for the company. Much needs to
be done on the clay-Street line and the
Manchester road. We have already about
thirty new cars for the Clay-Street line,
hut it would be rliinous to the cars TO put
them on that road while it is in its pres
ert condition.
< The road-bed must be put in order. At
present there are pieces of girder track
here and there from one end Of the line
TO the other, but the other pnrts Of the
track are SO bad that a passenger never
detects the good portions of the track.
I'VE VII also soon take up with the
Traction people the matter Of the OF
their Broad-Street tracks from Ninth 10
Laurel Street, in accordance with the
terms of the franchises of both companies
in case we should not be able 10 agree on
the conditions, under which these tracks
may be used by us, the matter will have
to be submitted to arbitration. The old
mule-cars must go. and that very soon
We also contemplate improvements to
what IS knows as the Highland-Park Inc.
that goes through Chestnut Hill and Bar
ton Heights
The Passenger and Power Company is
considering the question of continuing Il
.hree-cent fare after it shall have its
electric cars on Broad Street
QUESTION OF TRANSFERS.
Another subject which Is engaging the
attention of the Richmond public at this
time is that of transfers between the two
companies. This matter vii. probably be
taken up by representatives of the two
companies within the next week or so.
Speaking of this. Mr.. E. L. Bemiss, presi-
dent OF the Traction Company. yesterday
said he was surprised to learn of a report
II circulation that the companies might no:
be able 10 reach an agreement as TO
transfer system. He declared that the
Traction Company had always desired a
transfer system and had sought vainly to
establish one three years ago.
Just as soon as the ordinance of the
Richmond Passenger and Power Company
was perfected - continued Mr. Bemiss
to the president of the former company,
requesting conference. with a view of
Immediately putting into effect some fair
system of transfers.
Data gathered from all over the co,n-
try was submitted to show the basis of
transfers prevailing elsewhere. Generally
In street railway service, the distance a
passenger is carried is not material as far
as the fare charged in concerned. The
fare asked is for ride of one or two
squares, as for a ride over the entire
length of the route. From the nature of
the service It is not possible to keep a
record of the distance each passenger
travels: mileage, therefore, has nothing
TO do with the fare charged, or with the
basis Of transfers
ANSWERS received to forty-four circular
letters snow independent roads operating
IN twenty-nine cities; of this number roads
operating in seventeen cities did not trans
fer with each other. While those in
twelve cities did. Ii these last the basis
OF transfers was either an equal division
Of fares or no accounting between the
roads.
EQUITY AS TO MILEAGE.
when the above facts were submitted
to the president of the Passenger and
Power Company, at conference had with
him on this subject, he expressed himself
as very much impressed with the facts
shown, and promised TO expedite arrange
menfs for a transfer system
II should like to say that. while think
every facility and encouragement should
be given 10 the Passenger and Power
Company while they are burdened with
thu task OF rebuilding their lines, l can
see no reason for such tender consdera-
ton as would take away the property
and rights of another company for their
peculiar ADVANCE.
u desire TO state that if the people of
this town are held out OF this privilege
unit! the spring, the fault viii not lie with
the Traction Company, but first with the
Passenger and Power Company and next
with the City Council
II again repeat that the Traction Com
pany IS ready now to at once begin the
use of transfers and Interchangeable
tickcts''
Major James .. Patton president of the
Passenger and Power Company, said yes
terday that his company was anxious to
take up the transfer question at once and
settle 1t for good and ali. He added that
he would confer With NJ. Bemiss regard
ing the matter some time this week