Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-04-20
Do IlterurbanS Benefit
The Cities I1pOlped?
Answers to the affirmative Are Gipen
by Mayors Of Many. Municipalities,
Size of Citv Regardless.


the newspapers of that city are alive
10 the situation. Experience shows
that all towns on interurban lines are
benefited. regardless of their size. The
Ft. Madison Democrat gives the fol-
lowing answers to this question bear
Ing upon the subject:
do you know Of any decrease or
increase of trade over that Of former
years prior to the operation OF the IN
I terurban, railroads 2"
1t will be noted that the answers
are from towns and cities of all sizes.
They practically agree that interur-
bans are a benefit to all.
The Answers
Bowling Green, Ohio-Population,
population. Trade has increased to
all merchants since the incoming OF
electric railroads We have two rail-
road north and south. east and
west. Don't kick about electric rail-
way they are help to any city or
town. We were against the railways,
almost to a man, but now would not
be without them
Belvidere, Ill., Population, 1000;
~ miles from city of $4,000 popula-
ton Dry goods men lost some trade
at first but put in much better line
of goods and business has now In
creased Electric railroad has helped
our town in general.
Lebanon, Ind. Population, 1000;
% miles from city of 10000 popula-
ton Business has increased. We
notice great improvement. Electric
lines are good things for all towns.
Huntington, Ind Population, H.
500; "a miles from city of $4,000
population. Increase Of business IS
to 80 per cent.
Upton, Ind population, 5000; 40
miles from city Of 100000 popula-
ton Our merchants here claim an
increase of from 25 to 40 per cent.
Some of our merchants objected very
strongly and there were all kinds of
arguments used against 1t. do not
know of one who would want to be
placed where we were before. There
has been small increase of build
Ing and population. If another COM
pany wanted to build railroad
through in another direction the farm
srs would give right of way and
some of them a bonus.
Mitchellville. la Population, 800;
l8 miles from city of $4,000 popula.
ton. The electric road a freight and
express service twice a day, is handy
for local shipment. Population has
increased The electric railroad
brought us & large transient cash
trade.
La Harpe, Kans.-Po pulation, 1850;
Is miles from city of $4,000 popula-
tion.s Population has increased over
5000 since the railroad was built.
Sycamore Ills.-Population, 5000;
80 miles from Chicago. Increase IN
trade. Electric railroad in this sec
ton benefits both large and small
towns.
springfield. Ohio-P Population, 49,
600; As miles from Columbus (125,-
00o) and "a miles from Dayton
(9OO0O.) Trade has increased in this
city constantly, as we'll as building
and population. Ne would gladly
grant admission to the city for more
interrrban railroads, although we
now have six electric roads running
into. Spring field.
Chicago, Heights, ILL., Population,
$4,000; 10 miles from Chicago. This
is the best year we have ever had.
Electric railroads bring great many
people into our town for trading
Versailles, Ky-Population, 5000;
~ miles from city Of 10000 popula-
ticn Electric railroads nave not
made any decrease in trade.
Columbus, .nd.-Population, 1880;
Al miles to a city Of 225,OO0 popula-
ton. Our trade has gradually in
creased yearly, but much more so af-
terethe electric line was puilt.
xenia, Ohio-Population, 10000; Is
miles from city of l25.000 population.
Trade has increase wonderfully
Hundreds of ZONES have been built
We have another road to Springfield
Is miles distant. Building of trac-
ton lines from small places into
large cities helps both. and if it is
an ordinary sized place like ours the
merchants, having cheaper rent, can
easily compete with large city. We
have two electric railroads and two
steam railroads.
Urbana, Ohio-Population, 5000; IS
miles to city of 10000 population.
We have a larger percentage Of
building since the advent of the cleo
trio road. Can't see where our local
trade has been affected.
Bryan, Ohio. Population, 1000, 81
miles to a city of 100000 population.
Business has increased 25 per cent;
population about 500, and building has
increased so per cent. Our people
are well pleased and are working
hard to get another electric railway.
Greensburg, Pa. Population, 49,
600; 81 miles to city of 250,O00
population. Trade, population and
building have increased Electric
lines are good things for any com
munity, be it town or country. En-
courage them.
Medina, Ohio Population, $4,000;
80 miles from city Of 100000 popula-
ton. Population, buildings and trade
have increased. Electric railroads
q