The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-14 00:00:00

E4e tottrbrOge Obserinr.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER, 14tb, 1874.

THE RAILWAYS AND THE PITBLIC.

There seems at present a laudable desire on
the part of the English railway companies to re-
form the system of travelling which has so long
prevailed. It has already been pointed out how
the Directors of the Midland line, by the aboli-
tion of second-class carriages, have really etketed
a revolution which must have its effects in dis-
tricts far removed from the reach of that enter-
prising system. The projected change has met
within' immense amount of criticism, and already
we hear of retaliation on the part of rival cons-
pinnies. But the circular issued by the Chair-.
man of the Midland Railway to the shareholders
makes it clear that the contemplated alteration*
will not he likely injuriously to affect the inte-
rests of holders of that stock. Few wi l forget
the gloomy anticipations which were indulged in
when the midland first announced its intention
of conveying third-class passengers by all trains
alike. The chairman, however, is enabled to
show that the result has been a positive gain to
the shareholders, for the net receipts have risen
by a clear 9d per train a mile. The effect of
this has been to add more than £930,000 to the
stun available for the year's dividends, while at
the same time the number of miles actually run
has been oiniinisheil by 300,00. The Midland
Directirs now argue that the proposed abolition
of second-class carriages, and tho reduction of
the first-class fares to second-class prices, cannot
possibly involve a loss of more than .ti 25,000
while it is calculated that this will be turned into
a positive profit by the comparative cheapness of
the working arrangements, and by the increase
of traffic which nosy naturally be expected to
follow so liberal a reform.

Rut there arc other matters in which the pub-
lic will look to the railway companies for better
arrangements, and we may rely upon it that since
an age of competition appears to have set in, we
shalt hear of one change after another in the
interests of tlae travelling public. The season
lige now arrived when most of the autumn
tourists are returning home from their wander-
ings upon the continent. Soule have essayed
feat a of Alpine climbing ; others have enjoyed
the pleasant life of Baden ; some have aecended
the slopes of the Jungfrau ; others again have
made life enjoyable upon the surface of the
Rhine. With the augmentation of wealth dur-
ing recent years, there has been a growing dis-
position to spend a holiday in some fashionable
mina upon the continent, and it is safe to say
that comparatively few Englishmen are acquain-
ted with the beauties of their native land. Here
and there you may meet some one who has spout
a mouth at Windermere, or has t• done " the
Wye in a canoe, or has made acquaintance with
the wild and romantic scenery oi North Devou
and Cornwall, or has wandered among the spiel
glades of the New Forest. This, nu doubt,
partly arises from the restless spirit of the people
and the general desire to know something of
the manners and customs of our neighbours, al-
though these are not always copied, and aro
often made the subject of amusement. There
are, however, souse things which the English
railway companies might well follow the example
If the continental lines, and its no respect is this
more observable than in the facilities which are
offered for cheap tours. Abroad the various
railways couthiue to hold out inducements to
travellers to make 11,10 of their lines for the par.
pose of Veneer° excnrsions. On very rens,' u:thle
tenses books of iieketa available for menially eje-
cta ir tours are to be obtained in France, Ger-
many, Belgium and Switzerland. The fares are
reduced, the excursionist is allowed a roes etable
pantity of luggage, travels in the usual trains,
uutd his a large choice of places at which he can
break his journey. Let us for a momeat com-
pare this mode of issuing tickets with that which
is in foice on many of our own lines. You take
is monthly ticket to a given place, but it is avail.
able for that particular place only. On so;ne of
our railway systems the loading idea seems to be
that the opportunities of frequent travelling
should be fenced round with as many restrictions
as possible. A little more elasticity in the ar-
raugerneuts wonld confer a great boon upon the
puldic, and with ordinary care there need be no
loss to the revenass of the railway companies.
To that large portion of holiday seekers who can-
not afford to cross the channel some such insti-
tution as the circular tour upon the Contineat
would be a source of unusiogled pleasure. At
present the railways hamper people by stipulat-
ing, that if they are of a certain class, or take a
certain description of ticket, they most not carry
more than an sunny pounds of luggage, nor must
they go beyond a given point without paying an
excess of fsres which to many is a consideratioe.
Wheu a luau guts away for a mouth, he does
not want, as a rule, to be tied up to one spot
during the whole of the time. He would like to
take the train to neiehhonrine towns, and does
to when that town ia witless the distance covered
by hie ticket, but if it lies a few wiles beyond,