The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-11
SEE IT GROW.

After the lapse of a score of years" says The Boston Globe, the residents of many countries are now enjoying the benefits to be derived from the in- troduction of the trolley system of car riding It is singular that this sys- tenn. which has not been in vogue In the United States much longer than the period mentioned, should be so pop ular and serviceable that it has been copied all over the world"
 Few changes that have occurred in the wide range of modern advance have been more remarkable than has the rapid and almost general adoption of the electric trolley system. City ress idents who have not yet advanced be- yond the childhood stage can remem- Der the first electric street cars that were put in operation. We believe 1t is now generally conceded that to Montgomery is due the credit of ini- tiating that method of conveyance. but that is not so generally important as is the rapid spread of the discovery or of it's adaptation. Now it Is indeed a very backward city in any part of the civilized world that doesn't have its system of trolley cars. In some places, it is true. the old horse cars are still in use. but this relic of other days is usually due to adverse condi- tions which have not yet been over come. As a general proposition cleo tric cars form an important part of the citys existence.
 But the general adoption of this system in the cities is not so wonder full all things considered. as has been its spread outward from them. David Everett tells us that "tan oaks from little acorns grow" and we may com pare the first electric car to the little acorn, and It's development to the tall oak-which is still growing by the way, and it would be hard to foreten how tall it will grow or how wide it's branches will yet spread. The Globe thus refers to some of the evidences of this growth:
 An extensive traveller is sure to note the wonderful transformation in travel which has been caused by the trolley cars-called tram cars abroad. Throughout Great Britain the tram trolley car, Is utilized by travellers to carry them long distances to cities and towns they desire to inspect America, however. is far ahead of Great Britain in the extent of its rapid transit cars. but the latter is still building and ex- tending it's system rapidly
 Even the Sandwich Islands are not behind the fashion. Honolulu rejoicing in the proud possession of one of the most up to date electric tramways. the construction and equipment of which would do credit to America or Europe
 The Japanese are also up-to-date in this matter. Tokyo, the capital of Ja- pan. is wherever practical gridironed with electric tramways. either in op eration or Contempla ton. The whole tramwav staff, including directors and engineers. is exclusively Japanese and is said to be efficient in every respect. | Tokyo and Yokohama are joined by steamer and trolley lines. Hongkong Shanghai and other far distant eastern cities have similar hrst-class service. Wherever traveller may go. therefore, throughout the civilized world. he cam not fail now to find electrically pro- pelled cars.
 It would not he exactly correct. we suppose, to speak Of the trolley sys- tenn as in it's infancy, but it would not be going very far aheld to say that it is only now in it's childhood though it may be called quite a robust youngster. as well as a venturesome and daring one. Octopus-ltke. the sys- tenn of trolley roads has extended it's tentacles far and wide. taking hold in unexpected places, and rarely losing it's grip when once fastened. It can no longer properly be called a street. railroad system, for it is invading the rural districts everywhere. and it is safe to predict that those now past middle age will see the time when great railroad trains drawn by electric engines will be as common all over the country as the steam engines and