Jasper County Democrat, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1902 — INDIANA IS SECOND IN ELECTRIC RAILROADS [ARTICLE]

INDIANA IS SECOND IN ELECTRIC RAILROADS

Ohio Is Only State Which Excels in Inters urban Mileage—All Indianians Soon to Be Qose Neighbors,

Following closely her good fortune la all the developments of present-day conveniences, and with s searching eye for future benefits, Indiana is rapidly distancing other atatea In the construction of electric traction line# and interurban railways. With the mileage now In operation and that under construction. Incorporated and contemplated, the state will easily have within the next five years seven thousand miles of electrically operated railroads. This will place Indiana second only to Ohio In this exceptional economic advantage and form a cornucopia from the capacious receptacle of which will flow Into the ample lap of Indianapolis much of the commerce of three states. For *t must be conceded that the capital city of Indiana la also the financial and productive metropolis of a large region, and that it Is constantly expanding and encroaching on the territory of other cities by reason of the greater •nergy and superior foresight of Its business men. In ths eminent prestige that this condition forecasts for IndianapolU there should be no element of jealousy on the part of other Indiana cities, for a proportionate benefit of every development within the state must surely fall to them. Xach will receive an advantage through ♦Mm new system of rapid and cheap communication in proportion to its resources and its commercial possibilities. It may be well to hint also that much of the good to be derived by local communities through the acquirement of these elec trio railways will depend upon the fairness with which the projectors are met In the matter of rlghte-of-wsy, franchises legislative easements, etc.

A New Enterprise. * Only a very few years ago the electric railway waa strictly an urban convenience and In a few Instances consisted only of short pleasure lines. It had not, in fact, been determined up to within ten years that sufficient power could be distributed from a single etatlon to operate a very long Una But vrhen thla point was settled the boldness with which sagacious men engaged In the construction of electrically operated railways was astonishing, and there has never been greater and more rapid advancement In any American enterprise than has been displayed In this Industry. Much that seas been achieved within our own state and forecasted for the future is due to the masterly direction and unfailing persistence of the Hon. Georgs F McCulloch of Munda Bo far as Indiana Is concerned It was at once recognised by Mr. McCulloch and his predecessors In the work that country Unee connecting the principal town* and citie* of tha jreat manufacturing sections would not only prove profitable as an Investment, but that their Increasing Importance In population and wealth, and the close Interdependence of their vast commercial Interests demanded more frequent means of local communication than was afforded by the established means of travel. Following rapidly upon each other's heels the fine systems of the Union traction of Indiana, the Indianapolis, OrSenSbW S UHlluJlij riA IndtanapoUs & Greenfield company (now the Eastern traction company) were constructed, and have been remarkably prosperous from the start. The Indianapo■lls A Martinsville line Is nearing completion. Another entenalve system, altno*t comparable to the Union traction, has been projected and financed to extend from Wabash. Peru. Logansport. Kokomo and other points to Indianapolis A company has been Incorporated to build a line to ShelbyviUe, and the Eastern traction company (the Greenfield route) IS rapidly extending to Kntghtstown. Richmond. New Castle. Conners■vlUe, etc. Various Lines. The Indianapolis northern traction company has about completed Its right-of-way to Kokomo and many projects of similar nature are In the hands of shrewd and enterprising men of good financial standing that will undoubtedly be pushed to completion. They are not confined to any particular sections of the state, but are intended to very generally traverse all the more important manufacturing and business districts, asd the country comprising the most prolific farming and graxlng sections. The chief claim of these electrio railways to public patronage Is not that they specially Invite the travel of tourists and pleasure seekers, as many have supposed, but that. In a greater degree than any other method of transportation, they meet the wants of local communities for the speedy and prompt lnter-communica-tlon at a minimum cost which facilitates the development and transaction of business, and promotes social Intercourse. Their Immense value to Indiana In the future may be estimated In a degree by the following brief reviews of the lines now In operation: There Is another view of this development that appeals strongly to the people of this state, via. the sterling nature of the Investment they afford to the citizens of every community through which they pass. They should be built and owned within the state. Their bonds should be purchased by Indianians and a distinct preference should be given our own people In the financing of these railways Already these lines have proven remuner- ■ stive and In a very few years they will take high rang among the securities and Investments of the stats