The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-01

Cincinnati travel by railways largely under
their control: and many suburban and inter.
borough trolley systems In connecticut ana
the central States, especially Ohio. are
operated by them.
The story OF their rise goes hack 30 the
'70e. when Mr.. Widener was butcher and
Mr.. Elkins an oil dealer in Philadelphia.
or the two Mr. Widener was heard Of
first in that city. Besides looking after
his butcher shops, he dabbled in politics
and one day lie found himself power in
his ward
After hat he chose to have himself elected
TO the City Council and, while serving
there he made the acquaintance OF many
Of the Quaker tity's prominent citizens
Among these was Robert Mackey presl-
dent OF the Continental line OF horse cars,
which ran bv the old City Hall lndepend.
ence Hall-and. therefore, was much used
by politicians. judges and lawyers.
Narkev, who vas a power IN municipal
and State politics, saw IN Niden-r what
he said was the making OF fine politician,
and he Interested himself IN the Young man.
In the course Of the LESSONS that Mackey
gave Widener in things political, the latter
also CLEANED from his teacher some Interest
ing data about the prOfitsblenrss Of the
street railway business.
Some years later Mr.. Widener became
treasurer Of Philadelphia At that time
the Office paid i's holder. besides a liberal
salary, about $50, UUO a year ia fees
When Mr. Widener began receiving this
money he cast about for "A way 10 invest u
and then IL was tina, he recalled Robert
Mackey's statement that q good street
car line was equal to big vein gold mine
for returns. Mr.. Widener decided to buy
street railway stock. hut when lie went
into the market I've found that the Peoplr's
Company controlled nearly all the paying
lines, and mat 50 gilt edged WAS their paper
that no one wanted 20 part with his
The Peoples properties were In the
centre and built-up portions ~ The city
Surrounding them were other lines. all
Operated Independently aud all nearly
bankrupt for the same reason scarcity Of
population along their routes
1hwarted In hir attempt 10 get into The
Peoplas Mr. Widener began a careful
invest isatiOn of these railways, with the
result thai he became convinced that sew
eisi ~ them would L. good Investments ~
q few years. When ia. 81 Y had grown nor"
A his u-ssurer- fee. were velvet 10 him,
his business bringing him M AN Income
sufioisnt To liy. on hs ,lecided to get con
troll, N possible, al this most promising
VI th.,~- outlying lines 1hls proved ~
In the Old Union, whose terminals were
la the OJ~n country ~ th~ north aud
south
Ia figuring zap the 81 uation Mr. Mld.n.r
discover n,ai. " ths amount ~ hls san
plus capital ~-rs doubled 10y sOIi- ga" else
fAau talttiu srt'ulfat hlttN
u. though, VI his fri-i,d, William l. flkiIs
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