The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-06

~ r has long been apparent to keen
observers that there is as much
money in comparatively small en-
terprises, such as city or subur-
II ban trolley lines. as in vaster
schemes compelling immense ini-
tial OUTLAWS of capital and the trav-
ersing of great distances; in brief, that
the day of the steam railroad Tor snort
distances is passing and that of the
electric road has arrived And the dis
tances to be covered by the accomplish
ed and projected 'electrics'' are not all
OF them short, as, for instance, the lat
est to be announced, a trolley line
from Cincinnati to Fort Wayne, is to
be 1855 miles long. 1t is already posi-
bic to travel by trolley from New York
TO Boston, and Al Johnson's scheme for
connecting New York and Philadelphia
by trolley cars travelling at 80 miles an
hour was only recently exploited In the
press From Germany comes the in
formation that on the new electric rail-
way now in construction between Ber-
lin and Zossen it is expected to develop
a speed of ia miles an hour.
Everything points to the universal use
of the electric railroad all over the
United States, and now that the people
generally are awakening TO the fact
much curiosity is expressed as to those
men who had sufficient farsightedness
to perceive the magnitude of the move
ment before it began. There are, of
course. many names that have more
than local prominence, but only those
which are most conspicuous are here
mentioned. It has been predicted of the
largest street railway syndicate In the
United States, probably in the world
the Elkins- Widener-Wh Whitney combina-
k1aI, ia
that eventually and at a time not far
distant, it will control every mile of
track east of the Mississippi and be-
tween Canada and Florida
Mr. P. A. B. Wfdener, the man to
whom is given the credit of discovering
the latent traffic possibilities in Phila-
delphia's streets, was born in the City
of Brotherly Love Nov 10. 1884.
His educational advantages were few
and served him al first only in the hum
Bile capacity of a veal butcher. Taking
to politics. he became prominent, and
in 1873 was appointed to fill the unex-
pired term of City Treasurer Mercer.
who had defauited On retiring from
public Office, in 1875, he turned his at
tention to the development of the city S
street railroads, joined with him some
influential men and secured the fran
chises that made him and his compan-
ions millionaires Branching out into
other kinds of business, the head of the
concern became a dominating factor in
many enterprises and his name became
well known in other large cities, nota-
bly, Chicago, New York, Baltimore and
Pittsburg. 1t was about four years ago
that Mr.. Widener announced his deter
animation to present his magnificent and
palatial residence to his fellow citizens.
The residence was valued at $500 600,
and the art collection which it contain
ed and which went with it was esti-
mated at not less than $500 900, making
the gift vcrta 81 600 600 in all. Two
years later h. set aside 1900, 900 for the
erection and maintenance of home for
crippled and deforrncd children.
At the tins Mr.. widener was appoint
ed to the Office of city treasurer he was