The Transit Dream of 1889

A prominent cable road man yesterday gave the following as the true inwardness of the late mysterious movements in railway building on Commercial Street. The work now being done, under Mr. A. Jackson’s direction, is simply the commencement of the road on Commercial Street, from King Street, the southerly limits of the city, under the franchise granted to J. M. Thompson individually, and also the commencement of the building of the extension of the Front-street cable line, from its present terminus, along Commercial Street to King, under the franchise granted at the time when the Front-street Cable Company was given a right of way on Commercial and Second streets. The first franchise of Mr. Thompson gives him permission to run a motor line over the streets named for three years. At the end of which time he is to put in either a cable or horse car line. This road is to be constructed immediately. It is the intention when both the King-street line and the Front-street extension are completed, to fix up a transfer arrangement by which one fare will carry a person from the head of the bay to First and Second streets, and finally to Salmon Bay.