Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-04-29
Mistcllanruu5 Rradina.
PLANS OF THE DUKES.
Cooperation Is Needed In Electric
Line

Co. o-operation Is Needed In Electric
Line.
Millions invested in water power;
millions invested in cotton mills; mil
lions invested in lands, franchises and
other properties, to say nothing of ad-
ditional millions awaiting investment
this is the sum total of the financial
interest which Messrs. j. B. Duke and
B. N. Duke the former of New York
and the latter of Durham, have in
Piedmont Carolina. No mention Is here
made of the tobacco holdings Of the
brothers, for the reason that they were
acquired long before their entrance in
to this industrial field was suggested.
Reference in the Charlotte Observer to
the vast plans that have been evolved
within the past decade and which in
large measures center about the South
ern Power company and the great hy-
dro- electrical development Of this gen
eral section.
The latest phase of the Duke devel-
opment scheme for this general section
and by this section Is meant the
Piedmont field Of the Carolinas-is the
interurban trolley system. The fact is
we'll known that Piedmont Carolina Is
the greatest industrial section Of the
south. where Industrial enterprises Of
all sorts are thickest, where population
is greatest, where resources are richest
nffa nrt,,
nifty for largest returns. This fact was
evidenced by Mr.. j. B. Duke himself
when he declared that Piedmont Caro-
lima was the richest unoccupied field in
the United States,' reference Of course
being had to the trolley situation. 1t
is in this section that the Southern
Railway company has gotten its great
business for the past decade and it is
in this section that his system is put
ting in it's double track work. A map
showing the cotton mills and other
manufacturing enterprise will striking
ly demonstrate the value Of this ter
ritory.
Mr.. Dukes plan, as outlined several
days ago, calls for the construction Of
an interurban trolley system, some
thing after the fashion in force in the
middle west, capable of transporting
not only passengers, but freight as
well, tine idea being to provide a fast
through system between the larger
cities. By virtue of the purchase sew
eral months ago Of the Anderson trac-
ton system, foothold was secured in
what has been termed the southern ter
ritory-the territory which extends
from Spartanburg south. The line Is
now being surveyed from Anderson to
Greenville and Spartanburg, with sew
eral branch lines projected to connect
with the Seaboard at Greenwood, Abbe-
VILE or some intervening point.
In this connection it should be borne
in mind that the Dukes and the pro-
posed interurban trolley system will
operate more or less in conjunction
with the Seaboard, it being generally
understood that as between the South
ern and Seaboard, the two great steam
railroads operating in this general ter
ritory,' the Dukes have lined up with
the Seaboard. The development Of the
trolley system, as now contemplated,
will extend from Anderson, Greenville
or Greenwood on the south to Green's
boro and Durham or some other point
on the north. This is the transmission
hydro electric territory Of the Southern
Power company, and is likewise the
great industrial section Of the south.
Only few Of those who are posted on
the general situation and who are cog
infant of the plans Of the promoters
can appreciate tine full significance OF
this wonderful development that is just
getting under way. 1t means, perhaps
more for this general section than any
other one thing and should be CORES
pondingly advocated.
Mr.. ]. B. Duke suggested in this fl
nancial scheme that the mills and in
dustrial enterprises along the proposed
lines subscribe one-fourth of the cost
of construction in the way of stock
The road will be bonded for one-half;
he and mis- associates will take one
fourth and then the individuals and
corporations along the way Will take
the other fourth. This Is designed
more for the purpose of enlisting the
corporation of the people than any
thing else This sympathy and CO.
operation is said to be absolutely es-
sential to the completion Of the pro-
posed interurban system. There VIII
be no requests for bonus funds but 1t
is desired that counties and towns
along the way give their cooperation
to the undertaking. Without it, the
line, already handicapped, can hardly
be built.
There are many engineers of stand
ing who are arguing for electrically
driven railroads. This is indicated by
the vast talk of the electrification of
steam lines. In Boston there is a
great campaign on to- require all steam
cars coming into the great terminal
station to be electrically driven from a
point five or ten miles out. Not only
is the system better controlled, but is
less obnoxious in every respect. With
such an electrical development in this
general section it would not be surpris-
ing to hear of an electrically driven
steam line in the near future-Spar-
tanburg Journal.
NATIONAL BOND ISSUES.