The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-12-20
GROWTH OF
SUBURBAN
DISTRICTS

Inc last twenty years IN hhode leland
have witnessed no more emphatic signi-
foant and vitality important change than
that wrought by the introduction and
astonishing development or the system OF
electric railroads now in efficient opera
tion.
The change. at first gradual and merged
I'm the general transition OF things from
the old order 10 the new. has now become
so striking and inclusive in it's scope as
10 command the careful consideration OF
all citizens having in mind the welfare
OF the commonwealth.
Originally designed TO supplant the
horse car and ancient omnibus as a means
OF public conveyance In cities and the
larger towns, perfection and further inven-
uon has now made che electric car an
aggressive and worthy rival OF the steam
train as means OF inter-city communi-
cation and the more radical among
scientists and students OF economics pre-
dict the passing OF tho steam cars at no
Islander must long since have noted the
trend OF affairs brought about by the ex-
pandins trolley-car service.
The electric road today penetrate2 dis
t1cts or this state that until It's coming
knew nothing OF the adva ntages OF rapid
conveyances for considerable distances.
Radiating from Providence and the lesser
municipa alities the cars run into the coun-
try i'm all directions reclaiming from grad
ual dissolution communities fast sinking
into the last and hopeless-stage OF rustic
Inertia and isolated oblivion. The day
or the small town long since was come
and the utter futilty OF maintaining a
small community in a condition OF pros
perity independent of neighboring large
town or city In commonly appreciated
This is q world of cities and their
suburbs. The advent OF localized systems
OF rapid transit was the beginning OF
suburban possibilities and the develop
ment OF one has accorded with the growth
and increase OF the other
The influence OF the city is az far reach
ingas Its system OF electrtce cars. North,
south, east and west from It's market
place speed it's cars bearing It's people and
It's trade for many miles beyond It's boun-
daries To return bringing In to its marts
and homes the people Of other places who
i'm time come 10 feel a share in its advan-
tages and claim the privileges OF citizen
ship.
Locally the influence OF Providence
penetrates for miles In all directions. The
people OF outlying towns are no longer
strangers on our city streets and the In
crease I'm suburban trade IL greater each
successive year. The crowds that throng
our downtown streets on aSturdays and
on holidays are out-of-town crowds which
the trolley cars have brought in whore
formerly they seldom visited the city.
Columns might be written TO show the
great importance OF the electric car as a
force at work In the development OF the
inter-city districts and the suburban
has already been touched upon in these
columns and which Is most important as
4 problem bearing on further development
n this state Is the Institution Of commuta-
ion rates.
new suburban line is esta bished, !
'manating from Providence, passing |
through outlying towns and penetrating
nto a region sparsely settled for former |
nf "A
rhe line is so planned as to supply mani |
old advantages TO the towns through |
which II passes and to give promise OF /
indeed the main object of tho controlling |
corporation In laying out the line is to [
build up the country through which II
is obvious and needs no further
In other parts OF the East the suburban
and inter-urban systems Of electric rail
ment and perfection than has the one
rentered AT Providence. New York Bos-
ton and Washington have very complete
systems OF electric cars. binding together
most effectually large areas Of suburban
territory.
space will not permit a detailed
comment upon any one system cited. That
the acme OF municipal rail-
-osd administration New York and Bos-
ION enjoy facilities which have done infn- I
ie StINitf up tno
snvirons Of both cities. Communication |
seems 20 be a prominent factor in tho sue |
'essful suburban railroad system. Whole /
owns have grown up about the large /
,ities in America as a result OF the estab- /
ishment Of an efficient electric railway /
service and the issuing Of Communication |
ates 10 regular patrons thereon.
The great cities contain thousands of |
veil to do tradespeople whose callings
lecessitste their presence each day In the |
ty shops and stores. but who when their
work r. finished would gladly so out TO
he freer. pure air OF the suburban towns.
establishing their modest homes there.
providence in this respect is similar to
ther cities. The towns about us are
attractive and offer every op-
'ortunity and advantage to the home
uilder. Many families at present living
n the city tho year round would gladly
epair to the suburban settlements were
not for the high tranapor rtation rates
nd lack Of Communication privileges.
The study OF the local situation in 70
ards 70 this matter Of Communication rates
II the suburban cars Is one both profit
BILE and timely and deals with a problem
'hich moro than any other concerns the
lture growth OF our suburbs and inter
"a. lI..w wt1NG