The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-10-25
PLANS FOR INTRRuRBAN RAILWAYS.
Project for an Electric Line cross Virginia
Into North Carolina.
Especial to News and Observer.

y
Baltimore, Oct. 23.-Referring to the
frequent announcement OF plans for in
terurban electric railways, the MANI
facturers' Record says:
"a number of these announcements
have come from Southern States, one Of
the most recent being a project for an
electric railway across the State of Vir
ginia from the Potomac river to the
North Carolina boundary. Still another
Is the plan for a line between the cities
of Houston and Galveston. Texas a third
is for a line between Atlanta and Ma
rietta, Ga. In Kentucky there are sew
eral plans on foot in and about Louis
vile. Others are noted around Nash
vile, Tenn, in West Virginia in tn,
neighborhood of Wheeling, Parkersburg
and other places. In fact there is not a
State in the South that is without an in
terurban railway either in operation, in
process OF construction, or in prospect.
Maryland, North Carolina, South Caro-
lima, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louis
lana and Missouri, besides the Statest al
ready mentioned, all have interurban pro-
jects under way in some form or other,
while in Indian Territory and Oklahoma
there are also plans OF magnitude for
electric roads. one of the most notable
being intended to connect Guthrie and
Oklahoma City.
Undoubtedly interurban electric rail
ways must play a considerable part IN
the further development of the South.
The success of the Augusta and Aiken
line and that between Richmond AND
Petersburg in Virginia, as well as others,
such as the Dallas and Fort Worth road
in hi e ole
uric traction under certain conditions
and in certain localities. The last named
read was opened about year ago with
only six stations including the terminals.
but the demand for accommodations has
been so great that there are now thirty
one stopping places on the line, which
is only about thirty-two miles long, and
calls are made for other stations. Electric
interurban roads have been quite eXter
sively developed in several of the Wes-
trn and Northern States. Such lines are
needed in all States of the South, and
the kiooner they are constructed the
earlier will be realized the benefits to
accrue from full development of the great
natural resources of that section. The
notable success of the Dallas and Fort
Worth road shows what may be expected
to result from similarly connecting other
progressive cities. Had anyone been told
q few years ago that such rapid growth
of business would follow the establish
ment of an electric line between those
two towns of Texas, he would probably
have been incrudulous, even if he did
not scott at the idea.
Development of water powers of the
South is contributing to the extension
of electric railways, and may be eS
pected to be more effective than ever
in that connection in the near future.
Such an adaptation of power for opera
ton of the Atlanta, Buford and Canes
vile Railroad is contemplated as part
of the utilization of about 5000 horse
power to be obtained from the Chatta-
hoochee river near Buford, Ga. The es-
innate of the power is based upon the
lowest stage of the river ever recorded.
A $500, 900 company will develop this pow
Ell, which will be transmitted to Atlanta
and other points for industrial purposes.