The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-10-29
INTERURBAN
RAILWAY WAS DISCUSSED BY o.
n. BENTLEY.
At Monthly Meeting CT Chamber of
Commerce Last Night.

~ttt.Ai~t ~ --ctS~ iNfSAANs
The regular monthly meeting of the
Chamber of Commerce was held in tbs
councf chamber last night This was the
meeting for November, but on account
OF the election coming on the first Tues
day Of November the meeting was held
one week earlier than usual A fair quota
OF the members Of the organization werc
present Mr.. o. h Bentley made the
principal address Of the evening. His
subject was "Interurban Railways"
The great problem of the present time.
according to Mr.. Bentley is taxation.
How 20 get more taxable property in 4
county or city was an important public
question. With railroads he had had some
experience and with interurban lines only
an observation lie told some remi-
n.seences about the building Of the first
car line in this city and how it was op-
posed by the people
Mr.. Bentley took up the proposition of
Nj. +. ". Ceyes, Of New York City. TO
build an iuterurban electric line from
Mcpherson 10 Arkansas City, and posi-
bly, a line into the coal fields Of the
Usage Nation. Mr.. Bentley knew that
Mr.. Ceyes had some experience in building
iEterurban lines.
Mr. Bentley believed that il such A line
was built il would make about $4,000 of
taxable property in this county, and if the
company put its shops and headquarters
t.. Wichita the value would be a great
deal more. The line would be about l25
miles long, and would serve something
over 10000 people. and these would re-
vert to the advantage OF Wichita. II is
proposed 10 build this line of 20 pounds
a. the yard steel rails, which would en-
able the company TO haul the largest Of
freight cars.
Mr. Bentley had visited a number Of
eastern points where there were many
irterurban lines. These lines come right
down the principal Streets. The main
depot of these lines was at the public
square.
The rate on the line was one cent per
nile for passengers. and from talks Mr..
Bentley had with the officials it was
learned that the people many miles away
from the city, whenever they wanted any
goods would get on the electric line and
d. business with the merchants Of the
larger towns
Mr. Bentley. in conclusion. said that he
would do all in his power 10 bring the
from Mcpherson TO Wichita. thence To
Wellington. east 10 Geuda Springs and
south 70 Arkansas CITY. This would be
valley line throughout easy TO construct
and not costly. lie said that he was per
1ectly willing that the lire should be con-
structed I'D Topeka avenue. and IN front
OF his home.
AIR. Il. ". Mitchell. Of Geuda Springs.
was present and VAS called on Tor
speech. lie said that he would like II
have lire from Wichita TO his town.
and believed that the mutual benefits
would lee Of great value 10 both. He said
that his neighhors would ala in every way
possible 70 build the road
Mr.. Geo W Hess chairman of the
special committee 10 look after the lawns
Of the city. made his report. He stated
tfat some suggestions were made 10 offer
prizes 10 people who had the finest lawns
fn the city. Mrs. J. 8. Carter agreed 10
reise tho funds necessary for these prizes.
end Mr. hess. IN company With Mrs car
ter and c. P. Mueller. formed the com