Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-08-26
Cheap Fares to the Centennial.

Edn0r Nor:-Our citizens have been anx-
lously awaiting the announcement that the
railroad companies had agreed to charge hal (
rate fares for round trip tickets to the Phila-
delphia Centennial Exhibitions; but, alas,
they have waited in vain, and there seems
not even glimmer OF a hint that such is
their intention. Perhaps when the exhfbi :.
tion Is about to be closed, there will sudden
ly dawn upon them the brilliant idea that
volume OF travel over their several roads,
and that 1t would be worth while to try the
experiment We suggest their trying 1t noV,
and basing our opinion upon experience, we
an unqualified success.
In matters of this kind IL would be well for
os 10 copy Europeans, who, 1t must be ac-
knowledged, are very far ahead OF US In the
science OF outdoor amusements, and from
whom we Americans have learnt, aud are
learning much that Is beneficial. Years ago.
their able railway managers began running
excursion trains" at almost nominal fares
and even the Parliament OF Great Britain
provided by law for the running at certain
intervals OF time OF Penny trains" as they
are are ca eaiiedmtaas 49, trains upon which the
two cents) mile for each passenger, and
during the whole time their several exhibi-
tions were open-both In London, Paris, and
great inducements for those possessing only
moderate means, brought hundreds OF
thousands OF them from the surrounding
country, who Otherwise, there can be little
doubt, would never have seen the exhi6i-
lions at all. Like causes produce like re-
suits. To day there are thousands of people
In the city Of Washington who would gladly
avail OF such an opportunity If It is present
cd 70 them, and who absolutely can not Of.
ford to pay the regular fare now charged.
Inis ls cOt As 1t should Do. The Exhibition
We intended TO commemorate our hundredth
national birthday In such manner as would
not only amuse, but educate the masses up
TO the present high standard of the worlds
sttainments. IL this being accomplished?
Nrf NJ
enjoying the great advantages presented by
the Exhibition, while the hartman the
maseesIare practically deprived Of them.
bition and the railway managers, whose
shortslghted parsimony Is without parallel.
without wishing TO argue or open mp In
Of how best TO AFFORD moral, rational enter.
taiDment for working meu-clerks, mechan-
les, and labOrers-on 6undays-a class OF
people whose duties give them but little OPP
we think, all things considered, the man
ayers OF the Exhibition should open wide the
doors on that day at half rates, and out OF
by very large number OF our people, might
prohibit the running Of machinery and the
manufacture there Of any thing on that day.
signated twenty i've cent day, |" and on au
days children should be admitted at hall
price.
The railway management ought to issue
Centennial excursion tickets" good, say,
for ten days, and II the same liberal plan be
adopted by all the railways leading into
Philadelphia. there would doubtless be such
an influx of visitors as would soon dispel
The apprehension Of financial disaster which
now besets this grandest undertaking Of the
American government and people.
The thoughts which prompt this article
eliminate In the desire that those In author
ity will take prompt action In the premises
In order that the thousands of children lie
Washington, accompanied by their parents
or guardians, may be able to visit Philsdel.
phia during the coming last week OF vaca
ton before their school session of the year
begins, curing which they could not leav,
without working great injury TO their schol
aStic standing. SEMIOCCAsIoNAL.