The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-03-04
CHEAP FARES
BRING CROWDS
WEEKEND SHOPPING RATES
DUE TO EFFORTS OF MORNING
NEWS SWELL cITY's TRADE
TRAINS ARE FILLED


Branch Facilities Heavily Taxed on
Saturdays-6oo Persons From One
Town in One Day-Merchant Want
the Service Extended.
AS the result of the establishment
of low weekend rates on the Wheel
ing Lake Erie railroad between
Canton and surrounding towns, twenty
miles in either direction along the
lines of the railroad the city is visi ed
by large crowds of shoppers each Sat
urday.
1t was through the efforts of the
Morning News that the low rates were
inaugurated on the Wheeling & Lake
Erie railroad. For years half fare
to Cleveland" weekend rates had been
granted by most of the railroads en-
tering that city. Several months ago
1t was suggested by the Morning News
that Canton should be favored in the
same way to the end that a share of
the Saturday trade which Cleveland
was getting would be brought to Can
ton. After considerable effort. the
Morning News was able to announce
that the w. & L. E. had granted Can
ton weekend excursions.
rate of one cent per mile. lust
one-half the regular fare good going
on Saturdays or Sundays and return
ing Sunday was put into effect be-
tween Canton and all w g L. E. sta
tions within radius of 20 miles. It
was apparent from the first that the
loY rates were boon to the Canton
merchants. People whose wont it had
been to go to Cleveland to buy, came
to Canton. Some who made only oc-
casional trips to Canton, and made
most of their purchases at home, found
the rates to so low that they could
afford 10 come every Saturday to shop,
receiving the benefit Of larger stocks
and variety from which to choose. low
prices and the pleasure of attending
the theaters and other places Of
amusement.
Each Saturday since has brought
larger crowds Comm to Canton"
has become a Saturday habit with
many people residing along The Wheel
ing & Lake Erie railroad. Gratifica-
ton is shown by Canton merchants
as they note the large and ever-in-
creasing influx of buyers AS one mer-
chants said, the establishment of the
half-rate fare has marked the begin
ming OF a new era of prosperity in
Canton retail business circles, while
the theaters and other places of amuse-
ment, the cafes, the hotels and the
restaurants are sharing literally in the
new trade ,....-.--..r.
Last Saturday all previous records of
out-of-town shoppers were broken.
Business men express delight in talk
ing OF the new conditions and the in
creased Saturday trade. A majority Of
the out-of-town shoppers come here
from towns along the Carrollton
branch OF the Wheeling & Lake Erie
railroad. 1t is estimated that six
hundred persons came here over that
branch from Minerva Saturday. Many
Others came from Sherodsville and
CGrrollton. The capacity of each train
during the day was taxed to its utmost
and it was with great difficulty that
the railroad company . accommodated
all who wished transportation to this
city.
Greatly increased passenger traffic is
also noted by the railroad officials
from towns north of Canton-Moga-
dore, Middlebranch and Hartville and
other places. -.
One merchant in this connection
said: Il have noticed much trade fran
the towns you mention for the past
two months. Each Saturday it seems
to grow larger. These shoppers are
very desirable customers and l hope
we will have more of them"
Canton business men are so well
pleased with the results of the first
experiment that they are considering
ways and means to secure similar ar
rangements on other railroads and pos
sibly to extend the radius on the w.
& L. e. ..... .....