The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-04-27
cLAseoW's ACTUAL EXPERIENCE

forthwith the experience of other cities in public
ownership has been closely scrutinized and the
Tribune gives the following account for Glasgow:
"The fact that man from Glasgow was
called is taken as an indication that Chicago will
be guided largely by the experience of the Scot
fish CITY,
"The tramways of Glasgow have been under
municipal operation since 1894 There are 1924
miles of double track in a city a little more
than onethird the size of Chicago and the service
is improved electric, the power being supplied by
the. municipal works.
'3The Glasgow tramways always have been
the property of the municipality. Under the tram
ways act in 1870 the corporation borrowed the
money for the common good to construct the
lines. Originally they through several
burbs, but with the extension of the city in 1891
all the system was brought within the boundaries.
The lines were leased in 1871 to the Glasgow
Tramway and Omnibus company under the fol-
lowing terms:
That the company pay the recoupng inter-
est on money borrowed for making the lines,
including the parliamentary expense.
"'That per cent on this total expenditure
be paid to the municipality for the purpose of
paying off the debt.
THAT per cent of the cost of constructing
the lines be lodged with the municipality for
meeting renewals to be executed by the COM
pany under supervision of the corporation.
"'That $3.50 per mile be paid for the use of
the streets.
""That all other expenses incurred by the
corporation in connection with the tramways be
paid by the company
under this agreement the corporation, after
paying interest and sinking fund charges, re-
ceved an average of $13S3O year, which went
to the common good The total profit during
the twenty-three years was $31S,e2S and the high
est received in any year $4,000.
Five years before the expiration of the lease
the company sought additional powers from par
lament and entered into negotiation with the
corporation for renewal of the lease. After
much discussion terms were submitted The ne
gotiations, however, were broken off in April
1892 and in the following year the corporation
decided to provide new premises, plant and equip
ment for the thirty-one miles of double track and
have the undertaking complete for July l, 1894.
It was big task. If the time spent in prelimi-
nary arrangements in acquiring sites is deducted
and also the trial period before starting, it will
be found the constructive work was carried out
In around year. The corporation chose it's
general manager John Young, who for seven
teen years had been connected with its cleans
ing department, and his selection turned out to
be fortunate one Six months ago Charles T.
Yerkes engaged Mr.. Young to manage his Lon
don traction system.
During the year nine buildings were erected
for stabling around 1000 horses and housing
cars. There was erected large central work
shop for the manufacture of vehicles, and 240
were constructed. The corporation insisted on
having one style of car with all the parts inter-
changeable.s While convinced that mechanical
hauage was the power of the future the corpo
ration had no other choice than beginning with
horse power.
'The success of the new service was assured
from the first AS compared with 4,42S,518 pas
sengers carried by the tramways during the four
weeks ending May 81, 1894 the lines handled g.
114,7S9 passengers the two corresponding weeks
in 1885, increase of SO per cent. The fares
had been reduced 33 per cent but the tramway
company had started a cheap omnibus line in
opposition to the corporation line.
I'm October, 1898, the overhead system of
traction WAS cd icolafod