The Journal

Issue date: 3/2/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Colleen McLaughlin Myron Lewis, a graduate student at Webster University speaks to students, staff, and members of the community about the problems with St. Louis' mass transit system and population growth in the city.

Webster University Graduate Student Myron Lewis said St. Louis public transportation and clean air problems could be a direct result of the city's lack of street cars. Lewis presented his opinions during the lecture "Population Growth, Mass Transit and St. Louis," Feb. 23 in the University Center Presentation Room.

Eleven people, many of which were Lewis' invited guests, came to listen and learn about the history of street cars in St. Louis. Webster adjunct environmental studies professor Jeff DePew introduced Lewis' with his own talk on "urban sprawl," population growth problems in metropolitan areas.

"I wanted the young people to see the street car system," Lewis said.

Lewis said he was disappointed due to technical difficulties which prevented him from showing a power point presentation he had prepared on the topic.

Lewis said he and DePew could remember a time when street cars were prevalent through out the city and some suburban area developed because of street cars. He cited Webster Groves, University City and Wellston as former street car communities.

"All these towns developed around these loops that the street cars would make," Lewis said. "Wellston was the largest street car system."

Lewis said because of the implementation of automobiles, interest in street car systems died out. He also said Nation City Lines, a company that supplied street cars to the St. Louis area, had members on its board with stock in the production of cars.

"NCL said that the (street car) system was old, had problems and was doomed to fail," Lewis said. "In my mind, why would a national investment company buy a system that is doomed to fail? You can take it either way; you can believe me or the theorists."

When DePew spoke he said Urban Sprawl was "ruining America."

"Our immigration is out of control," Lewis said.

Lewis said that he believes the success of some cities around the country is due to their street cars still being utilized.

Continued...

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