The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-08-01
Philadelphia Letter.
PHILADELPHIA, July %, 18

hihhDhIh MA, Ouiy so 1O'f'
One of the greatest monopolies with
which our city is cursed, is the
STREET RAILROADS,
which have so completely girdroned our
city that there is scarcely street which
is not ohstructed by them. Originally
constructed as a convenience for our
citizens, they have, in many cases, pass
ed into the control of a few individuals,
who are reaping immense profits from
them, and acting as If the public high
ways were solely for their use.
Altho ugh the right of way was given
these companies free of charge, and
they are able to declare enormous divi-
dends; the fare asked by them is higher
than is cha rged by passenger railways
iu any Of our large cities, and the poor
workingman and sewing girl, weary
with their days labor, are virtually de-
barred from their use, rs the fare ask
ed is entirely beyond their slender
means.
Seven cents for ride in street car
may seem small matter to some of
your readers, but it is quite an item to
those who use the cars daily. The cons
panies consider that every first class
house erected near their terminus, is
worth to them from one to two hundred
dollars per annum, they calculatingthat
the occupants will spend that amount
during the year in their cars, while most
persons living any distance from their
place Of business look upon fifty dollars
year for car fare as one of their neces-
sRry expenses. Our citizens are taxed
to build bridges, which these grasping
corporations seize upon and use, with
out recompensing the city for the use
of them, and now we have the disgrace
ful scene of a number of companies
Quarreling for the possession of the Cir
ard Avenue bridge. The conductors and
drivers are hard worked set of men
being on duty from sixteen to nineteen
hours day, and are allowed but few
minutes for meals. 1t is stated as fact,
that so much are these employees away
from their homes, working every day in
the week, that In many cases their
young children do not know them.
Tie companies although reaping large
profits from the thousands who flock to
the park, do not contribute toward its
adornment, as is the case in other cities,
but are continually quarreling among
themselves to gain possession of the
streets which approach tie park, aud
which have not yet been seized upon.
The Union Line declares q dividend
OF Al per cent. per annum on its paid-in
capital; the Chestnut & Walnut Street,
81 per cent; the Green & Coates Street
20 per cent; and the other roads, from
20 to 30 per cent. per anDum. The
companies, although frequently janglinG
among themselves, aIe unit IN deny
ing any concessions which the city OF
public may ask from them. Their pow.
rr doubtless would have been broker
long ago If their interests were not in
terlocked with the political factor
which is ruling our city and State.
THE AMERICAN STEAMSHIP co.
has demonstrated the fact, that steam
ships can run from this port to Englant
at a profit, and so great has been thei
success, that they contemplate addinI
two additional steamers to their line
The travelling public has been muc
benefited by the fierce competition
which the American Line Las proyok
I'd. Steerage passengers can 90 froI
New York to Liverpool, If the NeN
York papers can be believed, for tn
small sum of ten dollars, and hundred
OF persons are taking advantage of thi
reduction to visit their friends in the ol
coIntry.
the salvage suit of Capt. Corneliu
l.. Brady against the american Steam
ship Co. for bringing the Pennsylvani
into port during the terrible stOr
which she encountered some montl
ago, has been decided in his favor, nj
lie has been awarded $4,000 for h
services.
We have had number of cases of
SUICIDE
and attempts at self-destruction he
lately. The cause which led most
the parties, TO attempt self-destructio
was poverty, although not few we
caused by mania produced by drinkin
There Is considerable suffering heI
among those persons thrown out
employment by the dullness of /
lines, ami many seek relief from Il