Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-06
MAINE TR0LLEYS.
Growth Of Electric Railways in
Past Five Years.
Carried $4,000, 900 Passengers for
Year Ending June 80, 1902.
Plans and Projects for Future Develop.
ment Of Street Railroads.

The growth of the electric trolley in
the State of Maine since 1889, when
the first street railway propelled by
electricity was built. has been re-
markable in the extent of road con-
structed and volume of business done,
when it is considered that the State
has no very large cities but mainly
consists of small communities. In the
more thickly settled portions these
communities are located within close
proximity to each other and during the
past dozen years many of them have
been connected by trolley to such an
extent that there are now 347.72 miles
of street railway in operation in the
State. The larger part of this mileage
Is in the country. running for the most
part over the highways and across the
fields into and through small cities and
still smaller towns. carrying the peo-
pie back and forth, day in and day out,
in constantly increasing numbers. Most
of the patronage given the Maine cleo
trio railroads Is interurban, for the
local triffic in many of the places where
the trolley system is now in operation
is very slight; but the summer travel
between cities and towns over the cleo
trio street railway lines is far beyond
that even dreamed of by the pioneers
in the construction of these new sys-
TENS for the cheap. rapid and frequent
transportation of people of ordinary
means from place to place.
During the early history Of electric
street railroading in Maine the growth
was not phenomenal. although it was
hxyV Tn tho e five
years, however the development has
been steady and rapid. In the year
1897 there were 143 miles of electric
railroads in operation. Since that
time there has been constructed 204.72
miles in addition. making 347.72 miles
now in operation. And the end is not
yet. Projects are already under way
looking to the construction of at least
200 miles of electric railroads in Maine
before the end of 1903. 1t is within the
bounds of reason, therefore, to predict
that in another year there will be more
than 500 miles of electric railway in
operation in the Pine Tree State.
In the construction and equipment of
the street railways of the State more
than s1OOOO.OOO has been expended.
and yet the aggregate bonded indebt-
edness of the IS systems in existence
is now only $5.723.517.93. The total
amount of capital represented by the
stock that has been issued and is now
outstanding is $4,612,S66.64. 1t will be
seen. therefore, that the capital nee
essary to build the roads was not
wholly secured from the sale OF bonds
| The bonds Of great many OF the
Maine trolley lines are owned by saw
ines banks, thus indicating that the
conservative managers Aof those insti-
tutions have confidence in the stability
| and future growth of the roads. else
thew would not invest the money of the
| people in them.
| some of the leading and most influ-
l entail business men OF the state are III
control of the best and most prohtaoie
lines, and are enthusiastic over tneif
prospective extension. Perhaps the
biggest holder of trolley stock In the
| state is the present governor OF Maine
| t1op John F. Hill, of this city. He Is
ono Of the largest owners in three OF
the big systems now in operation. and
no is at the present time making ar
ranrements to secure the construction
/ of 100 miles of new additions to these
evsters within the coming year. Hon
George r. Macomber OF TINS CITY Il
associated with Gov. Hill IN THESE en-
terprises. as is also Hon. :. Mancnestel
HAYNES of Augusta. and Hon. VIM 1
Cobb of Rockland. THESE eeniemei
are among the most progressive stree'
railroad men in the state. Iney ar.
the controlling spirits in the Hockland
Thomaston & Camden. the augusta
winthrop & Gardiner, and the Ports
mouth. Kittery 4 York systems will