The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-11-17
STREET CAR TRACKS
WILL HAVE TO GO
New York Expert Predicts
Their Disappearance.
AUTOMOBILES THE CAUSE
Vast Development Of the Manufacture
of Machines-How Systems Be
come Obsolete.

NEW YORK. Nov. 1.-THE street sur
face transportation service has begun
to suffer as a result of the opening of
the subway, and much gossip is going
the rounds as TO the future value Of
the system. One of the prominent ex-
peTts has come out in a statement In
the Manufacturers Record" in which
he predicts that in a few years tracks
will disappear from the streets. and
automobile cars OF some kind will BE-
used.
After a long discussion Of problems.
and showing the vast amount OF money
that has been wasted in changing sys-
TENS, the expert says Denver has or
dered lot OF automobile omnlbuses 10
replace cars. He continues.
Short-Lived Mechanism.
In New York we are on the eve of
return TO first principles in operations
OF this kind, as in Los Angeles and
Denver. by virtue Of the fact that the
way for such a return has been liter
ally paved by the taxpayers through the
construction of nearly one thousand
miles OF asphalt streets.
Indeed, / am inclined to believe that
II is only by the use of public highways.
the roads and the streets, with no COM
plicated short-lived mechanism, that
continuous profits can be earned by
those who 90 into the business or ur-
ban and interurban transportation.
A sound and enduring business prop
osition of this kind would seem 10 be
presented only where the roads ana
streets are maintained at public expense
81 coalition suitable for vehicles pro
pelled bv what Is now, and must, with
bur inexpensive notifications for al
beast a generation. BE- the cheapest, best
the most reliable motive power, VIZ
nTc d
the latest inventions and devices
Histo-y q Problems.
what I am trying 70 make clear is
illustrated CD the history OF the above
method OF trausp1rra in the larger
cities OF Europe
'In London. for Instance. British con-
servatism has proved highly beneficial
10 the owners u transportation sys-
TENS. -Four hundred millions OF passen-
gers-more than the surface cars Of
New York haul-are annually transport
Ell in omnibuses drawn by horses, which
are rapidly being converted into electric
auLobuses.
There has been no erratic attempt
al innovation IN that great center OF
population. where the powers that be,
with due regard for the rights and COM
fort of the public, have kept the streets
in their pristine. unmutilaJed smooth
ness. free for every kind Of trackless
vehicle.
They seem never 10 have forgotten
that the streets We're originally dedl-
Gated TO vehicles of this kind. On the
other hand in New York We have de-
stroVcd the natural uses OF our streets
by all sorts OF mutllauOns, enormously
supposed 70 MI public needs, and must
soon or late see all this work undOne
H. order 10 MI the real needs OF our
people
Tracks Must Go.
Therefore, as 1 said before, / fee
that IL Is a thoroughly safe prediction
10 say tina, within few years every
car track and conduit viii be removed
from the streets Of the metropolis. anC
that these viii be restored 10 their nat
LraI and original uses
This conclusion is strengthened by tn
experience OF other foreign capitals IN
authorities of an the great cities o
Continental Europe have. with consist
ent reluctance refused 10 allow any Di
The slightest IUrOads upon the fTee-fOr
all and tme-hunCred uses Of their pub
JIG highways, recognizing as "A sacrei
duty the safeguarding OF what had beel
set apart solely FOR the publc's conYe
uleUCe-
In all these centcrs OF population
when the necessity arose for create
carrying capacity than Tho streets cCul'
accommodate with trackless vehicles
tho underground system alone Wa
permitted 10 supply the deficiency AM
So Dr. seems We are not very faI from th
point where public sentiment viii de
Inand the same rational methods which
as has been SO abundantly proved b.
European experience. are most largel
and welfare of those who come and 3
on our crowded island.