New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-24
TROLLEYS AND TRUNK LINES.


New-York Central and Hudson River Railroad
Company of an interest in the trolley lines of
Syracuse Utica and Rome is significant of the
changing attitude of the great trunk railroads
toward local traffic Outside of the chief
centres of population, where a large cOmmut-
ing business is practically forced upon them,
most of the steam railroads have shown slight
disposition to consider the convenience of short
haul passengers. Infrequent local train service
and high rates OF fare have been q serious
handicap on communication with towns off the
main lines Of traffic and even with the smaller
towns on the direct roads. Now IT is proposed
in Central New-York to effect q decided change.
which, if the experiment proves success. can
but be the first step in giving the people over
wide area hitherto unknown railroad facli-
ties. BY introducing electric traction on the
West Shore lines between Syracuse and Utica
continuous trolley system connecting the three
cities Will be secured, and further extensions to
towns on the east and west in contempla-
ton. The electric power makes possible fire.
quent service in place of the two or three
trains day, at hours that suit the exigencies
of through traffic, with which residents Of
small towns in the neighborhood of such cities
have generally had to content themselves. The
result will be a practically continuous service
for large district, promoting a diffusion Of
population and repeopling of country districts
where the population tends 10 decrease and
bringing TO the hamlets and farms traffic CON
veniences which under the old system
economically possible only for large cities
This changed attitude testiies TO the appre-
citation by practical railroad men of the future
Of electric lines. 1t also suggests that they
have learned some lessons from competition.
AS an adjunct TO the steam railroad the trolley
may serve two purposes. 1t may be feeder
running out from the main line to neghboring
towns to gather in their freight and passenger
business. 1t may be parallel TO the main line,
or even a part Of it, for the handling of local
traffic. In this capacity the trolley reaches 1t
may be- no new district, but the hourly car
meets the public convenience UNNECESSARILY bet
ter than the nfrequent steam train. Occupied
with its vast through business, the New-York
Central long neglected the comfort of those de-
pendent upon these trains. possibly failing to
realize that the progress Of invention was pro
viding for them an alternative. Perhaps its re-
cent experience near Rochester clarified the sit
uation and fastened the adoption OF the new
policy.
Some patrons on the line of the Auburn road
desired certain additional facilities which were
not granted TO them. Probably il did not look
as IL the additional business to be secured would
warrant the outlay which the accommodation
would entail. There was no parallel road and
was made. The leading petitioners had enter
prise. They turned and built well equipped
electric railroad from Rochester not merely
the ten miles TO Pittsford, the town originally
concerned but on TO Canandaigua This road
runs hourly trains into the heart of Rochester
for lower fare than the steam railroad, and
in as good time. 1t has built up a large traffic
part of II taken from the old railroad and part
of ii entirely new Here as elsewhere IL is
shown that facility for travel creates the habit
of travel Al this moment several electric lines
are projected or under way connecting Roches-
ter and Buffalo on the one side and Rochester
and Syracuse on the other, and it is evident that
a large development of short haul traffic off
the steam lines Will certainly come in Central
and Western New-York in the near future
Under such circumstances the York Cen
trail must face serious trolley competition, rob-
bing il of much local traffic, or else branch out
| and itself control that traffic by supplying its
new demands. Apparently it has determined
upon the latter policy.
The company might get hold OF the trolley
! roads in the spirit of monopoly. permitting as
| little development which would compete with
| the old lines possible without provoking new
rivals. Or it might, and we expect will, with q
large intelligence. use the new system to ex-
| tend TO various communities all the facilities
which electricity makes easy. In the end this
will be to the railroads advantage As canal.
| instead of injuring a parallel railroad by fts
cheap rate for raw materials. develops indus
4 tries and makes more business for the railroad.
the trolley instead of being a rival is really
! a supplement TO the railroad. 1t gives to com
munity with the greatest economy service
which develops il and makes business of the
sort which the railroad most economically
handle. All methods Of transit work together
and IT was q shortsighted view which for years
| arrayed ra1lr0Ad managers AGAINST canals and