Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-03-08
Fight FOR Q
TROLLEY FREIGHT.
AgrfcuIturaIfsts Demand Same Privf
leges for Transporting Produce
That Others in Various states
Are Given--Better Chance for
school Advantages.


mitting trolley companies to carry freight
Many farmers wee pesent, and their strong
plea for the bill was incorporated in ringing
resolutions jointly adopted that morning
by the executive committee Of the state
grange, the state board Of agriculture, the
state horticultural society and the state
federation Of agricultural societies. Each
body presented duly certified copy. The
resolutions follow
WHEREAS, Il is of vital Importance to the
people of this state that the right for
merly held by electric railway compa-
nies to carry freight shall be restored to-
them by the enactment Of appropriate
legislation, which desirable results will he
effected by the passage and enactment of
senate bill No. 81, now before the senate
committee on railroads and canals.
Resolued, That the organization shall and
does hereby express it's unqualified approval
of such legislation, and earnestly urge Its
enactment for the following reasons:
The right Of electric railways to carry
freight in the neighboring states where such
rights exist has resulted in the extension of
vast networks Of railway lines through
rural districts previously without reason
able passenger or freight traffic facilities,
the population Of which districts was ln-
sufficient to support the operation OF steam
railroads or of electric railways for passen-
ger business only.
Such developments of electric railways
in this state, would enable our farmers to
compete as heretofore they have been un-
able to eonpete wlth farmers of such states
is New Yoxk. Massachusetts,, Rhode Island,
Delaware, Ohio and Indiana, BY enabling
them ID l0aa pefishable fruit and produce
s0ls e;sfs IS tlisiz oHh sidings immediasely
adjoining their farms, IS is the custom IN
Stlsese other states, instead OF at present, me-
cessitating the long and expensive wagon
hauls between farms and railway freight
station. or market, and Wonld minimize
their dependence on weather conditions, the
conditions of the highways and relieve them
from the expense Of maintaining market
teams, which costing from $500 to $500
each, require the investment Of much capi-
tai
Districts available for dairy farms, which
are now restricted to points adjacent to
steam railroad stations, could be developed
and used as such with these transportation
facilities, without which the nature OF this
product they cannot be used.
Rural property representing millions OF
dollars in value and the Investments of
thousands Of citizsnse of this state would be
enhanced in value by the facilities thus
obtained.
Highways would be improved and con-
gestion Of street traffic would be relieved
by the elimination of the use by them of
the many wagons, the need for which
would be supplied by the electric car carry
ing capacity equal to that Of six market
wagons.
Frequent and prompt transportation from
farm to market, or from farm to railroad,
for long hauls, would make possible the
loading and delivery of fruit, flowers, vege-
tables, eggs and poultry in shorter time and
better condition than could be possible by
any other means, and they would demand
higher prices and at the same time give the
greatest satisfaction to the consumer. Such
results cannot be possible in the case OF
produce subjected TO the wagon hauls, to
delays on station platforms, delays due to-
infrequent freight service, and to the con-
gestion of freight on steam railroads, which
today is more than they can handle. Cheap
ness Of transportation as we'll as better SER
vice can be assured Hourly deliveries can
be had in place Of daily deliveries. Orders
by telephone can be answered and promptly
Iilled to the profit and convenience of both
producer and consumer and the avoidance
Of dissatisfaction and delay under present
conditions is ineyitable.
The widespread extension and operation
of eIetric railways will give employment to
large number Of people who will make
their homes in districts now undeveloped.
Experience will show shat the consequent
development Of such sections Of the state
bv the extension of the electric increases
rather than diminishes the earnings of the
steam railroads. The electric railway acts
as an economical distributor Of freight for
the steam railroads; districts now contribut-
ING little tc steam railroad freight earnings
because OF their remoteness from freight
stations will Immediately become valuable
producers and consumers Of freight trans
ported by those railroads which they now
cannot reach.
vast amount OF territory in this state
now restricted By lack Of transpo stion
facilities to the raising Of grain, and
like products which can be ra 4 much
more cheaply elsewhere will be .dmediate-
" available for she raising Of profitable
market produce and dairy products.
The extension Of the electric railways
through the rural districts, made possible
bv the enactment Of this legislation. will,
as il has IN the other states, make available
educational facilities and promote social
intercourse, now restricted in such COM
muniSies il this state. Children will not
be subject TO the great exposure and diff
cultv now met ID attending their schools.
The farmers haYe done more than their
share ii their liberal grants Of rights Of way
10 electric railways, which should not only
be permitted bus required 10 serve the pub
liz 10 She full extent Of their facilities, To
this important poFfion Of the community,