The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-25
GROWTH OF STREET RAILWAYS.

One result Of the use Of electric motive power is to greatly multiply the number and mileage of street rail- ways, for the comparative cheapness with which such roads can be con- structed and operated, and the fact that they can be built and profitably operated in situations where a regular steam railway cannot be constructed at all, or where its construction and operation would be at a loss. Build ing. equipping and operating a street railway is a trlling matter when com pared with the standard railroads
 But in our opinion there Is a great ultimate advantage which has been little discussed. but which is bound to result from the cheap and easily managed electric power, and that is the relief of the great and increasing con- gestion of city population. The dis position to flock to the cities, and the indisposition to acquire and occupy suburban or country homes, is in some respects a real evil. and to provide a remedy Is a problem that many have attempted to solve.
 Men remove to the cities in many cases because they can do better, in others for the advantages of schools, churches, society of their kind, and | for various other reasons. They take their families with them for the same reasons. and because a man who has employment of any kind cannot attend | fn he ;Y, | Sometimes railroad schedules are so | arranged, and fares so reasonable that man of moderate means can have a home few miles out in the country and live more cheaply, comfortably and independently than he could possibly do in a city, but such conveniences are rare, in this section of the country at all events.
 | Here Is where the cheaply construct | ed and operated street railways, with | their hourly or half-hourly schedules and their low fares get in their ad- vantageous work for men of little means. These roads are reaching out ] in every direction from the cities only a few miles at present. but surely des- 1 tined to increase their mileage as the demand grows. The result is seen in the prosperous and pleasant suburbs which are growing up all around the cities, and their popularity Is evident, as 1t Is also evident that the street railways have been largely instru- mental in making them what they are.
 But this Is but a beginning, and is only part of what is needed and what must come. Most of these suburban homes are built on small lots, where the occupants have but little more room and conveniencies than they would in
 the city. It Is not enough. and further extension must follow. These
 roads must and will extend six, eight
 or ten miles In every direction where the conditions admit Then a man can own a comfortable home on q small farm and yet labor or carry on business in the city If he finds it to
 his interest to do so. He can work
 in town and live In the country, thus
 enjoying a double advantage.
 Nor is this all or the most import.
 tant result of a system of country,
 penetrating railroads, for another goot
 result will be to do away with tn,
 lonelineses and sense of isolation fel
 by the families of the workers in tn,
 cities The multiplication of sucl
 travelling facilities will not only in
 crease the percentage of countr, dwellers, but will enable their families
 to virtually enjoy the advantages O city life. When the wife or the chil dren can go to the city at any hour O