The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1947-04-03

There has been lot OF discussion
already about the trolley in Hagers-
town and probably there will be
quite a bit more. But that isn't new
for the trolley, because as early as
1899 it was front page news. The
following was taken from the Eve
ming Globe of May IS, 1899, which
was loaned to me by Mr.. Ridenour,
of the Hagerstown Bookbinding Co,
along with several other old papers,
for which l am very grateful.
New Trolley Plans
Douglass Bros, projectors of the
Hagerstown-M yersville Road called
on Mayor Schindel last week at his
office and had an informal confer
ence respecting the franchise which
the City Council will doubtless grant
Douglass Bros. tonight.
The contractors spread before
Mayor Schindel a book containing
pictures, size, weight, etc, of every
rail made. Each rail was discussed
and the merits of each noted. The
mayor made diligent inquiry into
the T rail This rail was the subject
of much heated discussion in 1891
when the matter of building street
railway was contemplated.
The columns of The Globe at that
period were filled with discussions
pro and con. The T rail still has its
advocates, who claim it is the best
rail for macadam streets as well as
paved streets.
One objection to the grooved rail
is that on macadam streets small
stones are likely to get into the
grooves and throw the cars off the
track. 1t is also commended that
buggy wheels get into the groove
and it is difficult to get them out.
Douglass Bros. say they are willing
to put down any rail desired and
Mayor Schindel is after rail which
will give the best possible satisfac-
ton to the town, the railway COM
pany and persons who use the
street for driving.
Council Takes Action
The City Council Thursday eve
ming was in session over three hours
granting a franchise to Douglass
Bros, their successors and assigns,
to construct trolley system in Ha-
gerstown, to connect with road to
be built to Myersville. The fran
chise is practically the same as that
granted the Hagerstown Railway
Co., with some exceptions which are
noted below.
Will The Mayor Approve?
Mayor Schindel stated he would
not sign the ordinance at once, as he
wanted sometime to think it over.
The rail to be used is subject to
approval by Council who can compel
the use of the groove, T or girder
rail, as they see fit.
Streets To Be Used
The franchise grants the use of the
following streets: Into town over
Frederick St., to Baltimore, to Lo-
Gust, to Church, to Salem Ave, to
Winter Green Lane, to Antietam to
the BRO. freight depot; a line from
Locust to the Square; Church to the
eastern city limits, Baltimore to the
Bro. and w. NJ freight depots; Sa.-
lem Avenue to corporate limits
A fine of five dollars day is i'm
posed for failure to keep the street,
between the rails and two feet on
each side, in repair.
Required To Run Sundays
They will be required to run their
cars on Sunday. The trolley poles
in town must be painted from top
to bottom. Mayor Schindel thought
pole painted only ten feet from the
ground was sometimes uglier than
if not painted at all
Cars are to run from at least am.
to II pm. in town, giving transfer
privileges, cars to run as designated
by council.
Council is to specify what kind of
cars to run.