The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-05
Street Railways in England.

According to the latest report of Mr..
Augustus Ingram. United States consul
at Birmingham. England. remarkably
large business in tramways has grown up
IN that country within the last decade.
To-day there is $229, So. $50 invested IN
municipal tramway undertakings IN the
United Kingdom. the consul declares, and
during the year ended March 81. 1909
s9,5f0.77S was paid in interest 10 holders
OF corporation tramway stock. while 81
69l.S55 was placed in a sinking fund
During the same period the aggregated
receipts were $4S.522, SIS.
This is interesting enough, but what
is by far more astonishing is the consuTs
additional remark that while, according
to board CT trade returns. private tram
way concerns last year put aside 1O5 per
cent of their capital for depreciation, OBJ
solescence. sc, municipal tramways in the
same period We're able 10 put by for the
same purpose SO per cent OF their capital
These statistics apparently show the
soundness or municipal undertakings
More than 6O.0OO persons are employed di-
rectly by the municipal tramways IN the
United Kingdom. under excellent condi-
tons Of employment In practically all
cases. It is impossible to estimate the
number Of indirect employees as a result
OF tramway enterprises. but the effect
upon the commercial prosperity Of the
country must be considerable.
Last year tramways paid in local taxes,
as commercial undertakings, s1,7s6.713. In
addition. s1.S6s,7l5 was paid out OF profits
last year 10 the relief OF local rates by
various municipalities.
In speaking OF the great benefits that
the municipal tramways have conferred
upon the populations Of towns. cities. and
urban districts. the consul says he was
told that the gradual breaking down OF
slumdom and the greatly improved health
statistics Of the large cities In no small
measure were due 10 improved transit
facilities.
Bradford Is the center Of what Is prob
ably the most extensive system Of
electric tramwsys IN England So vast
are these undertakings that on the
map they present a network almost as
confusing as the railways that intersect
so large an area Of the West Riding"
The city owns and operates a street car
system of ffty-six miles. traversing thir-
ty-four miles OF streets. From January
I. 1897 to March 81. 1910. the street cars
there earneds a sum sufficient 20 con
tribute S472.O5O to the city treasurer for
The relief of taxation. after deducting all
working expenses. interest. sinking fund
charges, and a liberal allowance for de-
probation. The total capital expenditure
of the city on tramways amounted to
S5.O7OSs5. and for the year ended March
81 they contributed Sl6O,5s4 for the relief
Of taxation. or about 81 per cent on
the capital invested.
This would appear to be a very salts
factory earning. when II Is considered
that it includes proper provision FOR the
repaying Of money borrowed. as well as
allowance for depreciation and for in
terest and the payment Of all working
expenses, partieularlyas the fares on the
lines operated by the city are much low
er than those in the United States.
Workingmens tickets are issued before
s o'clock in the morning at a much lower
rate than ordinary fares. and are avail
able for return at any hour during the