The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1913-02-25
Electric Short
Line Meeting
At Court House
Col. Erie d. Luce Gives Clear and
Comprehensive Exposition of the
Company's Doings
SURVEY CROW CREEK ROUTE
Committee of Commercial Club APP
pointed to Investigate Project
And Report
SURVEY CROW CREEK ROUTE

A good representation of the bust
ness men of this city met at the court
house last Wednesday for the purpose
of hearing what Col. Erie D. Luce,
president of the Luce Electric Short
Line, had to say in regard to their pro-
posed electric line.
Frank R. Lobdell, president of the
Commercial Club spoke briefly on what
the committee, previously appointed
to interview Mr.. Luce, had seen of the
work while in the cities, and spoke
very favorably of the work that had
been accomplished. Mr.. Lobdell then
introduced Mr.. Luce.
Col. Luce Speaks
Mr.. Luce told how he and his father
w. L. Luce, had been associated in the
grain business for many years, owning
a line of hundred or more elevators.
The establishment of farmers eleva-
tors detracted from their business to
such an extent that they decided to
dispose of their holdings.
With the accumulation Of consider
able wealth, they sought new field of
investment, finally deciding that the
electric railway had great future be-
fore it and that Minnesota and espec-
tally the district west of the twin cit
les offered an exceptional opportunity
for profitable investment.
Buy Up Terminal
With this project in view they inn
mediately proceeded quietly to- buy
property for a terminal at Minnie
apolis. Mr.. Luce told how they had
spent eight years Of constant labor in
buying up property for right-of-way
into the city.
They now own the best terminal of
any railway company in the twin cities
and are located with easy access to all
parts of either city. The company
owns over 500, 00O, OOD worth Of right
of-way in Minneapolis alone.
Three Main Lines
The three proposed lines are from
Minneapolis to WATERFOWL, Minneapo-
lis to Redwood Falls, and Minneapo-
lis to New Ulm. The two latter are
just as much main line as the first for
cars will run directly to and from the
cities without change.
The company owns over 100 miles
Of 1ght-of-way west Of the cities. Ac-
tive work has been carried on in con-
structing the road and the line is now
completed as far west as Lake Mime
tonka. The first 40 miles are to be
completed by next fall.
Electric vs.. Steam
Mr.. Luce compared the advantages
of the electric way with that Of steam
and pointed out many interesting facts.
It is proposed to carry heavy and light
fright over the line as well as passen-
ger traffic. Rates will be much lower
than steam, passenger rates being two
cents per mile. Electric cars can be
started and stopped at considerable
saving of time and expense. 1t costs
about S1.45 for every stop Of steam
locomotive as compared to about five
cents for a stop with the electric cars.
Mr.. Luce stated the run from here
to the cities could be made in about
three hours.
Advance Real Estate
Mr.. Luce told how property had in
creased in value to double in states
where electric lines are now in opera
ton and Mr.. Mcclellan was called up
on to give evidence of the conditions
in Indiana, where he has lived many
years and where they use electric lines
extensively.
Invest Large Amount
The Luces have invested over mil
lion dollars in this project and are
adding to it an annual income of $50
600. Since last fall the company has
sold 5000, 900 in stock to business men
and farmers along the right-of- way.
They solicit the support of the people
along their lines and have received
very favorable encouragement. They
would rather place stock with people
along the right-of-way than others for
this would create an interest of those
people directly concerned that would
be profitable to both.
Survey New Route