Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-08-09

effect the Rock Island is having esti-
mates made on the cost of installation
of electric power stations and the put
ting on of electrical equipment for
some portions of it's system. These
reports include mileage out of Daven-
port, Des Moines, Omaha and Kansas
City.
1t is claimed that representative Of
the Westinghouse company have been
over the system recently securing data
to be used in making up estimates OF
the probable expense of installation
and that they are now actually en-
gagged in this work
The rumor is to the effect that it Is
intended to install trolley system for
some distance out of the centers of
population with view of doing away
with local passenger trains operated
| by steam now operated at intervals
OF several hours, and to put on trolley
cars to run on an average of once an
hour
The rumors are to the effect this
service is contemplated out Of Daven-
port to Muscatine and possibly east
"
Des Moines to Winterset and to New.
ton and possibly between Kansas City
and st. Joseph. 1t is claimed that
this service can be operated cheaper,
at lower fares and to advantage on
many portions of the system, and that
II it proves as successful as is antici-
pated that it will be extended.
lie Illinois Central is now operat-
n Of hi n o11f
cago and the Missouri Pacific is pre-
pairing to put it on out of St. louis,
while eastern roads are putting troll
branch lines.
Confirmation or denial of the report
was not obtainable here, but inquiry
revealed that the report has been per-
sistently circulated and that in some
quarters is given credence.
Favor Erie Policy.
The arrangements Of many of the
railroads are considering the advis-
ability of following the example of
the Erie in abandoning the Sunday ex-
cursions. The Baltimore and Ohio is
not one of these, however. as it clear
ed $216,000 last year on Sunday ex-
cursions. To the Milwaukee, the run
ming Of Sunday excursions is also said
to have been very profitable.
The Burlington Santa Fe and other
roads have discouraged the practice
for some time, operating trains for ex-
cursions only when demanded. Gen
eral impression among passenger men
is that with strong public sentiment
against the Sunday excursion and with
the great danger Of disastrous wrecks
always menacing, Sunday excursions
should be discontinued.
Talks for the Erie.
w. c. Brown. vice president of the
Vanderbilt lines formerly of Ottum-
wa in discussing the Erie's new policy
said:
Il have always held that railroad
company has no right to take hun
dreds of the scum from big city and
dump them at the front doors of res
idents in the small towns thus spoil
ing the enjoyment of the Sabbath day.
Neither does a railroad have the right
to take hundreds Of young couples
away from the fluences of home and
send them where the influences are
anything but good. I am also oppos-
ed to the greed displayed when rail.
road takes scores of worn-out, weak,
shell-like coaches and loads them
from end to end. thereby subjecting
many people to the dangers of a ter
rible wreck.
II do not know, however that these
considerations would be powerful
enough with the management of any
ra tn cfo dow r,
cordingly 1 am glad that trolley line
competition has reduced the rates to
point where we can stop Sunday ex-
cursions on economical grounds"
Plans for Big Colony.
The Burlington, in connection with
the Big Horn Development Co.. has
undertaken large development and
colonization scheme for the Big Horn
Basin in Wyoming. The development
company has secured concession of
100000 acres OF land, which will be
handled under the provisions Of the
Carey act, whereby the settlers pur-
chase their land from the government
for so cents an acre and obtain perpet-
ual water rights from the various com
panies operating irrigating plants
under the semi-supervision of the gov
eminent and at minimum prices fixed
by the government.
The Burlington has made surveys
for an extension from Garland south
and southeast to Otto and thence
south to the state reserve at Big Horn
Springs a distance Of nearly $50 miles.
In the basin are 1000 acres capable Of
irrigation, 100000 acres now under
ditch and 10000 acres embraced in
propositions under way.
Limitations or Clergy Tickets.
Representatives Of the Western,
ITranscontinental, and Southwestern
Passenger associations held q meeting
| in Chicago Friday and adopted joint
rules for the issuance of clergy half
fare permits during 1905. An ironclad
rule was adopted that for clergy bust
ness either half tickets on which Is
printed clergy" may be used except
in transcontinental territory, for which
system, near Ferguson, in ST. Louis
whole tickets must bear the number
| of the certificate In the Territory of