Evening journal., 1912-07-24
THE MAN, THE IDEA AND THE RESULT.


ceasing devotion turned idea into a great street
railway system and beautiful amusement park that
have served the pleasure and convenience of hun
dreds of thousands of women and children. That
idea also has resulted in the development of large
suburban district the establishment of Roselle and
The Cedars and the building of trolley line from
Brandywine Springs up to Kennett Square. Mr..
Crook is of the public benefactors of Northern
New Castle county, but he had to fight for every
benefaction he wished confer Fortunately for him,
and fortunately for the people, he is possessed Of
militant spirit and tenacity Of purpose which
recognize accept defeat
We do not know when it that Mr. Crook FIRST
got the idea that there ought trolley line from
Wilmington to Brandywine Springs and that Brandy
wine Springs ought to be converted into the biggest
amusement park New Castle county ever had known.
We recall distinctly. however, the time that he made
his advent in Dover and announced blandy to the
legislators that he had get charter for the
trolley line Many of the members looked at him as
If they thought his announcement a rapid transit
joke Members Of the Third House twitted hm
clessy and asked him If he had come to Dover with
a permit from Willard Salisbury. When Mr. Crook
replied that he had such permit there we're mem
bers of the Third House who ntimated that Mr. sauls
bury would "eat him up" Mr. Crook was not dis
mayed by that suggested act of corporate cannibal-
ism He offered his bill; it read and referred
and most of the hangers-on about the state House
laughngly said It would be smothered in committee
by Mr. SaulSbury or MS legislative agents. MI Jfook
showed, however, that he determined that
the child of his practical Imagination should not die
for want OF light and air. The bill scarcely was in
committee when he began inquiring of the committee
how they going to report it favorably
and put il through for him In little while the
Brandywine Springs railway bill became burning
issue the Legislature The Senators and Repre-
sentatves were subjected to a letter bombardment
from very New Castle countians who demand
ed that the bill be put through Mr. Crook spent
much of his time the floor of the Senate and the
that the casual visitor thought he the most
wideawake and active member of both bodies The
legislative life Of the Senators and the Representa-
tves became burden. Morning noon and night Mr.
Crook talked Brandywine Springs railway to them
They could hear the whirring of wheels the changing
of bells the pounding of cars over the rail joints
and the ringing of the fare registers. It even was
said that Mr. Crook called stubborn State Senator
out of bed six times in one night and each time asked
him to pledge himself to vote for the Brandyv-ne
Springs railway bill YES the Senator is reported to
have said finally If you'll pledge yourself to 90
away and let sleep Mr.. Crook it is said gave
that pledge and ultimately obtained the vote of that
Senator
That was time when almost all the Senators and
Representatives suffered from troeyosis With Mr.
Crook buzzing trolley in and Mr Salisbury
buzzng trolley in the other ear life simply was not
worth the living Those opposed to Mr. Crook and
his ambitious plans tried TO bluff him. He refused
20 DC hluHed Members of the Legislature endeavored
to put him off He replied that procrastnation was
the thief time Delegations Of indignant citizens
were taken to Dover. AS free Delawsreans with
votes, they demanded that the bill put through Fin
ally it went through but not in the shape in which
Mr. Crook liked it, He had the good sense, however.
TO take what he could get
Two later this with an idea who had
made such heroic fight went back to Dover to get
what he had failed TO get the first time The members
had no desire to try issues with him again. In that
and succeeding sessions he obtained what sought
Mr. Crook rich in ideas. resource and tenacity,
but poor in pocket Having emerged VIGOROUSLY from
his fight in Dover. with an acceptable charter and
having overcome opposition in Wilmington he began
looking for capital with which to finance the building
of the road and the big amusement park There
those who said he would succeed His answer
to that 70 interest with millions in his idea
In due time the contracts let and the road and
the park built When Mr.. Crook encountered
obstacle. he climbed crawed under it if he
could do so; if not he burst through it, His idea
simple fed and fattened opposition and obstacles
Finally the line completed and the park was in
operation. Was Mr. Crook satisfied? No He decided
that it was necessary for him TO have other lines
traversing the residence sections of our
city and that the system also take in Kennett
Square Again he found himself beset by official and
unofficial opposition. II did not daunt him Rather
it stirred his fighting blood In the end he obtained
the bulk Of what he desired for the time being, and
to-day his trolley system ranks second IN Importance
in the state Of Delaware
There may be Who for business or personal
reasons do not like Richard W. Crook. his worst
enemy must admit, however that he is born fighter
that his lighting produces practical and beneficial
results
What Mr.. Crook has accomplished should serve
an inspiration the youth of State to fight re-
lentessly and increasingly in behalf of practical
ideas and eliminate from the mind all thought Of
defeat