Evening journal., 1909-06-16
THAT TROLLEY TO
WEST CHESTER
Been Agitated for Years but
Nothing Definite Has Been
Done

What has become OF the West Ches-
ter g. Wilmington Electric Railway pro-
Ject?" asked reporter OF Promoter
Thomas =. o'connell, OF this place. who
was home from the Wilmington office
OF the company yesterday. says the West
Chester Local News.
II have nothing further to say than
already published The line win be built,
but I cannot give you any more infor-
nation than this fact"
Il IS two years since Mr.. oConneli first
hiked down tho pike TO Wilmington
with the fine project in his head. He
didn't have much cash TO invest, but he
had an tdea that was practical and
worth money. He got together a COM
pany Of Delaware and Pennsylvania
moneyed men, obtained a charter. made
surveys. secured many rights OF way.
and some valuable concession from other
corporations and property owners. Tho
project looked real rosy. Some money
was invested and bonds printed But
internal dissensions rent the prospects OF
the protector, and the latter was halted
foy some time. These, It IS said. have
beeh healed but then the remaining
rights Of way could not be obtained
money.
Another route was surveyed. and some
outside capitalists interested themselves
IN the proposition one syndicate. IL is
said. put up a forfeit for an option on
the project, but the time limit has not
yet expired.
Another syndicate wants 10 purchase
the controlling interest. but II cannot be
sold. even II the directors decide to part
with the same. All these matters have
caused considerable delay. and the pro-
ject just at this time IS lying dormant.
II Is understood that something will have
to be decided upon by July LIST by tho
first mentioned capitalists or their op-
tion win lapse.
on the other hand. unless something
Is done In the way OF construction before
next fall. some OF the franchise and
privileges will lapse. and the company
will have the trouble OF renewing the
same.
All concede that there is no better troll
r ley proposition IN this section Of the
country than this one. but "a lack OF uni.
] ted effort and option has been injurious
] to the prospects Of the construction OF
? the road.
well known Wilmington capitalist Il
. willing to assist in capitalizing the road
b n excessive prices for rights OF way II
Chester county are not demanded.
West Chester's Business Mems Asso
ciation have sven the project moral
4 support, but that has not done much q
e get the project out OF the slough Of de
7 spair. There is need Of some more ener
getic effort on the part OF some one q
e push this excellent trolley projec
. through to success All admit that /
n would be a big thing for West Chez
a ter.
i President O'Conneil is the largest stock
holder In the corporation, and has muc
valuable information as to the cost O
construction and methods OF procedure
II II is conceded that IL would be muc
-e better for local capitalists TO constru'
Ia and operate the road than TO allow It
fall into the hands OF a New York syr
" dicate.
\. There Is no doubt that the road wi
[ ultimately be constructed and q shoul
j. be now while labor and material
d cheaper. and We could Immediately hav
r the facilities much needed.
is Mr. OConneli says the road viii b
le built. and has a method n his hea
" whereby this can be accomplished. VIII
ii should not the directorate pull togethe
and push It along?