Evening journal., 1909-02-05
Friday, February 5, 1909
STATE TROLLEY LINE.

a MoNq the matters in which residents of
the lower counties are particularly inter
ested is the projection trolley line in Kent and
Sussex counties. There is undoubtedly strong
sentiment in those counties that trolley system
should be built with the aid of the State if neces-
sary In this connection it is recalled by the
friends of the plan that the State years ago as
sisted in building the Delaware Railroad
For years the subject OF trolley line in lower
rural New Castle and in the other counties has
been discussed. Many promoters of more or less
ability have attempted to secure money from pr-
vate capitalists for constructing such road The
last scheme that we think of is that of promoter
who was said to be certain of securing foreign
capital with which to construct a trolley line
from Delaware City on down through the State.
At one time it was hinted that this trolley
would be built overhead, in the air as It were
sort of suspended trolley. But the truth seems
TO be that the whole scheme is in the air. This
promoter spent considerable time and money in
securing the right of way for trolley from
Delaware City to Smyrna, and we believe that he
has practically got the right Of way, the prop
erty owners along the route permitting the
of their property. About the Kent and Sussex
schemes for trolleys little has been heard of late,
excepting the plan which contemplates State aid.
Private capital is cold blooded, and is little in
huenced by sentiment The capital necessary 10
construct such road is not forthcoming evil
IDENTIFY because the promoters have been unable
to convince men with money that such State
trolley road would be profitable In fact the
opinion held by many practical trolley men IS
that such road would not be profitable and the
experience of private trolleys in this neighbor-
hood, in this instance seems to fortify that opin-
ion with facts. There may be many reasons for
this view held by practical trolley men which
are not necessary to dwell upon at this time
The feeling that the lower counties need bet
ter transportation facilities is at the bottom of
the agitation for the construction of a trolley sys
tenn with State help Some parts Of Sussex
county are not penetrated by the railroads and
naturally, the people OF those districts desire
transportation facilities. And yet, on the other
hand, if the railroad corporations thought the
business would warrant H. they would extend
their lines
1t might occur to some that proper manner
Of solving the transportation problem in this
State would be to appoint a railroad commits
sion which should regulate the rates of the rail-
road companies doing business in the State. We
have never been very hopeful in believing that a
commission would amount to much because we
fear that if such commission should be ap-
pointed, in the present condition of things in
Delaware the majority of the commission would
be composed Of men favorable to the interests
OF the railroad company The net result would
be that some men would be provided with posi-
tons, as railroad commissioners, drawing pay
from the State and rendering no service to re-
lieve the complaints of shippers and passen.
gers,
Some parts of the lower counties have steamer
lines connecting with the cities. Our impression
is that none Of these steamer lines have been very
successful, financially. They have done a fair
business and haye been great help to the peo-
pie of the respective communities in which they
operate, but the steamer companies have not
earned much money.
If we had a trolley system, the railroad com
pany would probably reduce its rates to meet
the competition of the trolley lines. OF course
the shipper would be benefited thereby, but il
might not be profitable for the owners of tn,
trolley lines.
mis- point brings UP the whole question O
public service corporations. The proper thins
is not SO much to build competitive lines as rivals
for business, but to regulate such corporations
as exist These, unless regulated, or unles:
AS these exist, uless regulated, or unless
confronted with competition, which is Otter
not real or effective permanent competition
charge monopoly prices. A railroad commission
that would really be a railroad commission anc
not one composed OF members who would guars
the interests of the railroad company solely
would be the best solution Of the transportation
question in Delaware
Another question concerned in the projected
State trolley plan in Delaware IS the problem o
where the State would get the money to aid sucl
project The calls upon the State treasury dur
ing the present session of the Legislature hav
been inctssant A new State House is wanted
money IS asked for good roads, the Anti Tuber
culosis Society wishes funds, the State Hospita
at FaMhurst must be maintained, State none,