The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-09-06
WEDNESDAY. SEPT. 8. 1911.
STREET RAILWAY CHANGE.

The street railway system Of Fargo
and Moorhead is now under new
ownership. The change is an inn
portant one to Fargo for several rea-
sons. It means that Byllesby & Co.,
who already have large holdings here,
are more than satisfied with the bust
ness outlook in Fargo-or they would
not make further investments.
The operation Of the line under the
same management as that of the
power plant will mean the difference
between merely making ends meet and
q small profit.
The owners are enterprising. They
have an enormous capital back of
them and should make an aggressive
campaign in Fargo. The relations of
the same Arm and Fargoans-ln cleo
trio light and gas rransactions-have
been satisfactory The good service
given the light patrons is guarantee
that the street railway will be run in
an emcfent manner.
Fargoans have little antagonism TO
the street railway, 1t has proven
great benefit. The line was promoted
by outsiders and later local capitalists
were forced to take 1t over to keep 1t
from being a failure. For some years
J. w. Smith, w. A. Scott and L. B.
Hanna were the men behind the en-
terprise. More recently the control
was secured by Mr.. Smith. The line
has been operated better than in most
cities this size and the service is I'M
douhtedly all the patronage warrants.
The former owners made little or no
special effort to popularize the lines.
The new company may take up that
feature.
There is one thing promised under
the new management-exten
wherever there IS an indication they
will eventually pay. The company is
now one of the largest investors in
Fargo property. Naturally it is in
terested In any movement that will
assist in the city's growth and de-
velopment.
The Byllesby people have made this
additional investment here despite
the efforts of certain interests to foist
municipal lighting plant onto the
taxpayers. 1t is In opposition to the
existing light company, owned by
Byllesby g. Co.--which is giving Fargo
better and cheaper lights than the
consumers ever had before-or ever
hope 90 have under a municipal plant
With the cooperation and support
Of the people of Fargo and the city
council in particular, The Forum
believes the new owners can be in
duced to extend the street railway to
Dilworth. What that means to the
business interests of Fargo is readily
recognized. The N. P. has announced
that on Jan. the shop trains will be
abandoned. This viii mean that
practically every railway employee will
have to move to Dilworth. If there
was an electric line this would be UNI
necessary.
The business men of Fargo-and
every other resident with the best in
terests Of the city at heart--wants that
extension. II the new company is to
be harassed and haited by a few
demagogues-this extension will be
delayed till too late to save the pres
ent situation.
The Forum believes this is the
psychological moment for the people
OF Fargo to lay aside personal and
petty differences-and to get together
for the benefit Of the city. The COM
mercial club has a grand opportunity
TO accomplish something along the
lines for which 1t Is popularity sup
posed to have been organized.
A united effort should now be made
to get the extension to Dilworth this
fall The matter should be at once
taken up with the new owners and the
city council can well afford to be fan
in the way OF franchises and other
relations with the Byllesby people.
NAA A AHN EtNnT0