The Washington times., 1903-10-18
TITANIC GROWTH
OF THE TROLLEY

] street and electric railways in the
United states. 1t Is generally known
| that the mechanical appliances OF cleo
tricity have developed by unprecedented
leaps and bounds, and that no other in
dustry has been so greatly stimulated as
that of operating street railroads. But
few, If any, have formed an adequate
idea of how remarkable has been the in
crease in this field since the census of
| 1890
Bulletin No. 3 sets forth mathemat-
ically this most remarkable growth in
| short distance transportation facilities,
a growth which, considering all things,
has contributed far more to the material
comfort of the people Of the country
than any other Industrial development
which has taken place in the same
length Of time in any country in any
age of the worlds history.
! The census report presents facts and
figures. but does not draw the philo-
sophical conclusions which are lnevita-
bic to one reading the report even in
the most cursory manner. An increase
of more than 125 per cent in the number
of fare passengers carried by street
railroads in a period of twelve years,
when the population increased less than
10 per cent, means very clearly that the
material comforts of the general public,
so far as they are served by riding in
stead of walking, have been greatly en-
HANGED
Growth Since 1890.
1t is only by comparisons that the
growth of the industry with which the
census report deals can be understood.
In the preface II is stated that the re-
port is incomplete. but this fact would
certainly not be suspected by one who
looks over the 1913 pages of closely print
ed statistics which the document con-
tains. In the order in which the vari-
Gus features OF the tremendous growth
are officially taken up the number Of
companies comes first.
In 1890 there were 126 companies oper-
ating their lines by electricity. They
had. 1 .262 miles of single track. There
we're SOC lines Of horse cars operating
over 1861 miles of track. There were
So cable lines and "A steam lines having
together about 200 miles of track. In
1902 there we're 747 companies operating
their lines by electricity, an increase of
1929 per cent Their cars were operated
over q .92O miles OF track, an increase
of l ,637 per cent. The lines operated by
horses. cable and steam showed de-
creases Of from so to 80 per cent. but
the total increase in mileage was 17S
4 per cent.
d Over Two Billions Invested.
s There are now % street railway com
d panies in the United States, which have
4 a length of line Of more than 100 miles
a and 394 which have less than 10. In all
there are now 9s7 companies with a cost
y of construction Of s2.167. 634 .077 and a
d capital stock OF S1,315.572960 against. in
Q 1890. zoo companies with a cost of con-
o struetion of 1889 .S57 .zS9 and a capital
j. stock of $2s9,o5s 1853. The increase in the
h cost of construction and equipment has
n been more than $50 per cent, and the in
crease in capital stock more than $50.
y There were 706 companies reported
- at the census OF 1890. and 9S7 in 1902
.e an apparent increase Of Isl. The con
lie solidation Of independent companies and
the method of controlling a number o.
y companies under the lease system
which has become so prevalent during
the past decade. make it misleading e
use the company as unit to measure
IN the increase or decrease in the numbe
le Of new railways built during the perio'
N OF twelve years. OF the zoe companies
reported for. 1890. many have beel
Pc merged with new companies organize,
le since that date, and many OF the new
70 companies have been merged with othe
10 new companies. In some cases tn
. merged companies have retained thei
IS distinctive names and have kept sep
70 srate accounts of equipment. income
D. expenses, etc.
,g Number of Cars and Employees.
Is The increase in the number OF pas
IN senger cars amounted TO 27,7S5, or So.
in per cent. In connection with the in
n crease in the number of cars, the In
h. crease in size. made possible by tn
at introduction Of electric power, shout
in be taken into consideration. This /
~ doubtless Indicated by the increase i
the number OF passengers carried pc
~ car. The number in 1890 was g.. 237, an
1902 7g,774, an increase Of 1857. Tn
number or employees, exclusive OF BAL
aried officials and clerks. increase
On 62,877, or $50 per cent
mt North Atlantic States Lead.
OF all the mileage of street railroad
&c I'm the United States, nearly one-half
-. in the small group known as the Mort
Atlantic States. The change in the char
sc acter OF motive power that has char
us acterized the development OF the raj
ways in the different geographic division
he of the country has been most pronounce
or in the North Atlantic States, whei
ed there we're .65S.51 miles of line operate
st by animal power In 1890 and but 66.t
IT. miles in 1902. In 1890 the roads in CHI
he cago were operated very largely
TO cable. and the North Central States col
Of tanned 12969 miles OF line using tn
ut class of power. but this had decrease
ne 10 only 5640 miles in 1902. The decreas
in the length Of line operated by an
- nal. cable or steam power has, in ever
'se instance. been accompanied by mol