The trolley system was debated in the nineteenth century America in the following way:

Beginning in 1888, overhead trolley spread rapidly in smaller American cities. But the larger cities were reluctant to become early adopters of the new technology. The electric trolley demonstrated substantial savings over horse tractions in terms of operating costs, at least for routes in smaller cities and suburbs.

As urban residents demanded improved transportation the street-railroad companies in large cities salivated over the potential profits to be gained from electrification.