The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-08-29
TROLLEYS Il,
BERKSHIRES
Description Of System in that
Residential Section.

tracks, Light streets, carry PONCE
men and naiI Carriers Free
School Children at Half Price
Route Includes Most Beautiful
Home Streets-Great Opportunity
for Live Company Here.
Under the caption, Trolley Fran
chises Elsewhere" the East Orange
Gazette publishes a seasonable article
on the trolley which should be read
by every resident of Morristown.
The conditions in the Oranges in
many respects are identical with
those existing in this place. The city
of Pittsfeld, Mass, to which refer
ence is made, like Morristown is the
home of many wealthy New Workers.
1t is situated in the heart of the
Berkshires and those who are familiar
with the facts say that the owners of
handsome residences there are just as
fond of their homes and the country
now as they were before the advent
of the trolley With a trolley system
as carefully safe guarded in Morris
town we are sure the town will take
on new lease of life.s We commend
the article to our readers:
"The general feeling among those
who have given attention to such
matters is that in the State of Mass
achusetts the affairs of steam and
trolley railroads are under pretty
satisfactory regulation, owing to the
control and authority vested in the
State Railroad Commission. In the
granting of franchises to trolley roads
and in the location of their routes,
the action of the local municipal
boards is subject to the revision and
confirmation of the State Board. and
it's action is generally considered fair
to all parties at interest and free
from local bias or prejudice.
The city of Pittsfeld has during
the last two or three years had grea4
deal of experience in the development
of trolley roads, and as it is in many
respects similar to East Orange the
terms on which franchises have been
granted in that city may be of inter
est here. The city covers an area of
above twenty-five square, miles about
six times that of East Orange, and
the population Of the entire area is
about ten per cent. larger than that
of this city. But in the center of the
area is the closely settled section of
the city, in which is located ON COR
responding area population about
equal to ours. Being the county seat
of Berkshire county, and remote from
any larger place, it is much more
important business place, but away
from the comparatively small bust
ness section are located beautiful resi-
dence streets and as attractive homes
as are to be found here
"Trolley roads have recently been
built from the center of the city to
Dalton on the east, Lanesborough on
the north, Cheshire on the northeast
and Lee and Lenox to the southeast
and south, and the terms for all have
been practically the same. The com
panies are required to pave their
tracks and eighteen inches outside of
either rail, where and as required by
the City Councils to light the streets
with twenty-five candle power incan-
descent lights, located not more than
2?5 feet apart, as late as the cars are
run at night; to sprinkle their tracks
or to pay their share to the city for
sprinkling the streets. to level snow
or remove it from the streets when
required; to carry policemen, tiremen
and letter carriers free when in uni
form and on duty; to charge but five
cents for a ride anywhere within the
city with transfers within the city
and to charge half-fare for school
children when riding on school days
necessarily between their homes and
tuGlI DOAlOO1os
"The routes lie along the principal
business streets and on'the most beau
tiful residence streets, some of the
latter being much more beautifu
than anything East Orange can boast
SIN securing the routes. on these
latter streets great opposition wal
encountered, but this has almost en-
tirely disappeared with the operation
of the roads, and it is doubtful if {
resident or property owner could bt
found who would be willing to hav,
the lines discontinued.
SIN extending the line to Lenox, b,
way sof the main street, the compan,
met the very formidable opposition o
the 'cottagers, and the Railroad
Commissioners stepped in and insist
ed that the road should be located OF
that avenue unless an equally accept
able route was provided without ad
ditional cost to the company. Th,
cottagers raised fund of something
like $4,000 and secured a privat,
right of way, but before the matte,
was closed a rival company secured {
franchise by another route and tn,
original plan was abandoned. A
similar fund was expended in Stock
hridpa furkhnr c0uth in Ordar tO cav