San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-21
GAS-ELECTR|C
|NTERURbAN|S
PLANNED HERE
E. 6. Potter Says Construc-
ton Will Start in 60
to 80 Days.
R U N TO SEGUIN
Later May Extend and Take
in Austin and Lock-
hart.
R U N TO SEGUIN

San Antonio is to have an interu--
ban railway line connecting this city
with Seguin and is promised an extern
sion of the project which would take
in Austin and many towns now includ-
cd in Houston's territory. according 20
+. &. Potter, construction engineer,
who asserted that work on the San
Antonio-Seguin unit probably will be-
gin within 60 or 30 days.
Virtually all the right of way be-
tween San Antonio and Seguin has
been secured. Mr.. Potter said When
the few remaining gaps are closed the
work of grading will be started ana
the first unit viii be rushed to com
pletiOn. Gas-electric cars. similar 60
those operated in northern territory,
will be placed in operation and quick
service between the two cities will be
inaugurated.
While the entire project has not
been financed, Mr.. Potter explained
number OF. wealthy men are behind
the proposition and sufficient money
is already available to finance the Sar
Antonio-Segum unit. When that unit
is completed it can be bonded and adj
dltional funds thus obtained for com.
pieting the entire project.
Started Line Once.
The company will be known as the
Texas Rapid Transit Company and
according TO Mr.. Potter. is backed
BY several prominent and wealthy East
Texas men. Just prior TO the World
war w. j. Dunlap of Beaumont. DE-.
Il. W, Brown of Orange and asso-
ciates organized company known as
the Seguin and Guadalupe Valley
Railway. the object of which was to
construct an interurban between San
Antonio and Austin via Seguin and
Lockhart. A considerable amount Of
right of way was secured and COM
plete survey made and the engineer
ing work completed. Some grading
between Austin and Lockhart was
done. The war came on. however and
the project was temporarily ADAM
doued.
The Texas Rapid Transit Company.
Mr.. Potter said, has taken over all
rights of the old company and proposes
to build the line. The line as now
contemplated would run from San An
tonic to>Austin, via Seguin and Lock
hart. Branches would run from Sc
gum to New Braunfels and San Mar
COS and from Seguin cast to Gonzales,
Yoakum and Cuero. thus touching a
large territory now served by Houston.
Begin This End First.
Although Austin has made a bid
for the construction of the Austin
Lockhart line as the first unit, Mr..
Potter said he is in favor of the San
Antonio Seguin unit. Mr.. Potter ex-
poets to start over the route of the
road this week and perfect plans for
the first unit.
The road will be of standard guage
construction and the most modern gas
electric cars will be used. Although n
site for the San Antonio terminus Of
the road has not been selected. Ma
Potter said he has the assurance OF
the San Antonio Public Service Com
pany of its hearty cooperation in the
matter of securing right Of way
withiR the city.
Mr.. Potter said he has had years
of experience in building interurban
lines and is thoroughly familiar, with
the problems involved. He expressed
absolute confidence that. the r0al
eventually will be built to Austin and