The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1913-08-08

1t may remain a private corpora
ton. but be regulated by government
into a mere Renaissance OF what II
now is.
1T may be annihilated by some
new method Of transportation.
1T may be run down by series
Ct modifying enterprises, public and
private, dixie the great new canal
which will reduce it TO right Of way
and streaks OF rust.
"Or. better, it may remain in good
hands like those now directing IT,
II may continue to have the benefit
of inventive and ingenious m'Lds'
backed by good judgment and indom-
table courage, and to eXemplity the
highest form of industrial effort. 1t
NAV 20 on, year after year, decade
after decade, century after century
gaining in efficiency and usefulness
minlstering magniflcently to the
wants of a growing civilization. This
is what We hope will happen.
AS a Tall Oak.
The Santa Fe system had its origin
in the Atchison and Topeka railroad,
chartered by the Kansas Legislature
in 1859. Construction did not begin
until nearly ten years after the
granting Of the charter. In the mean
time, the name Of the company had
been changed to the AtcLison, To-
peka and Santa Fe. In 1889 the sys-
TEN had expanded to 7,11S miles, It's
extreme termini being Chicago, St.
Louis, Galveston. FL Paso. Deming
Superior Neb.; Denver. San Diego
and Guaymas It's earning power,
however. had decreased, due to legis-
lation and competitive building.
Under new management the COL
orado Midland and the Frisco were
added to the system. New obliga-
tions and ruinous rate cutting swamp
ed the system and 9,34i miles OF
track went into the hands OF receiv-
ers on Dec. 23, 1898. Improvements
we're made during the receivership
On Dec. 81, 1895, the receivershiT
was concluded the property having
been recognized upon a more favor
able basis. The Colorado Midland
and the Frisco properties were sold
and the new Santa Fe took over bn
CABS miles of track Then begar
the brilliant and successful admins
tration OF President r. P. Ripley
An Era Of Progress.
Under his leadership it has beel
the policy OF the company to bull
up its properties and the countr
served by them to the highest stand
ard rather than to building new mile
age. To that end much of its mile
age was sold, and any branch line
which never ought to have been bull
were abandoned, except in such IN
stances as would have involved in
justice.
Nevertheless, there has been eXpan
sion for the rounding out of the sys
TEN. until it now has $4,000 miles
track-1O.732 miles of main line an
branches. and over 1000 miles of var
! and side tracks and second, third an
fourth main tracks.
It Is interesting to note that III
state Of Texas stand second in SAINT
Fe system mileage, the tracks of thi
system being distributed as follows
Kansas 2,7O3, Texas 1865. Calitorn
| l.40l: New Mexico 1880; Oklahon
| g43. Arizona 773; Colorado 513; Mi'
souri, 2I4; Illinois 29O; Louisiana G.
Iowa 90: Nevada II and Nebraska
Many millions Of dollars have bee
expended for improvements, many d.
tails of which are given by NJ
| lrlttQ. Olt Sldlthl'hN VI i"' ~ 49,
| interest to Texas is as follows:
| New Line Through Texas.
The Santa Fe has long been
north and south line in Texas. 1t
now an east and west line. Accor
ing to Mr.. Storey the new route fro
| Galveston and Houston, via Temp
Coleman. Sveetwater, Lubbock, TIE
leo and Abo pass will be a better II
than that of the Southern Paciti
| The grades are easier and the di
tance shorter The distance frc
Galveston to Los Angeles will be
II 1888 miles and to San Francis
21O2 ; miles. The new route Ii
] been put in first class condition
do any amount of business viii
- may be offered to it"
"a The present condition of the syst'
ts and its progressive policy as to