Evening journal., 1905-06-05
GLASGOWS TRAMWAYS
James Dairymple Tells How
Scotch City Runs Its Cars.
TEST OF MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP

General Manager OF GInsgow's Tram
way system Says Everybody Ad-
mits Ten Year Trial Has Been a
success-Claims Fares Have Been
Lowered, Wages Increased and
PROFITS Used For Public Good.
James Dalrymple, manager Of the
municipal tramway system in Glas-
gov, Scotland. who will advise Mayor
Dunno Of Chicago on the municipal
ownership Of street railroads, was In
terviewed by William T. Stead for the
New York American just before he
sailed for the United States. When
asked to say a word or two about his
Chicago visit Mr.. Dalrymple replied:
About Chicago7 What word can
say2 l know nothing about the city
/ have never even seen It. / have new
er crossed the Atlantic. This viii be
my frst visit to America. But about
the Glasgow tramways / can say any
thing you like"
'What IS Glasgow's opinion now OF
the municipality operated trans after
ten years experience?" asked Mr..
Stead. HAS it been entirely satisfac-
tory OF has this practical test brought
many defects to lightT
"You will find no two opinions about
Glasgow" he declared. "Our expe-
rlences have conclusively proved the
superiority Of municipal trans over
those worked by the old company. We
have lowered fares, extended the dis
tances for the fares charged, have Inn
proved the condition OF the employees
and electrified the whole system and
still earn n handsome profit, which is
devoted to making the system more
efficient and OF greater service TO the
public"
docs Glasgow's example throw any
light on how other cities can obtain
possession OF their tram llnes?"
"Glnsgow in that respect was moro
favorably placed than many other
cities" said Mr.. Dnlrymple. '"ihe
tramways always have been the city's
property. They were built with the
cltys money, but in 1871 were leased
to a private company for twenty-three
years, with q clause, under an act OF
parliament. which empowered the city
to work its system II Il failed to come
to terms with the company. Wen, the
company, like all private institutions
was more concerned as TO dividends
than as TO the service given TO the pub
lie. Consequently there was much dis
satisfaction, ending In popular move
ment I'm favor OF municipal ownership.
"The company's lease expired In IN
", 1894, and IN 1892. after an election
fought on this issue, the city council
decided not 10 renew The grant, but I,
provide its own plant and equlpmen
and run its own trans, not paying
penny OF compensation tosthe company
This involved the city In an immens
undertaking. In one year II was oblie
ed 20 construct the entire plant Of thiI
ty-one miles OF double track, includin
/ depots, the stabling OF 1900 horses an
building Of store and granary build
ings.
''By the 1st Of July everything wa
completed and the cars were runnin
without a hitch. The result was tina
much better cars were put on and IN
fares were reduced % per cent, thoug
the old fares had been low. A one cen
fare was introduced and the distance
were greatly increased. For cent on
can now ride half n mile and for
cents almost two and half miles. Fo
2 cents any inhabitant can reach th
suburbs, and for he Is able TO reac
the country in all directions"
"Have the tramways become NOR
popular7"
Indeed, yes. During the last yea
nf the casnnanv's oneratinn 81 carrie