The New York herald., 1876-01-30
NO SEAT, NO FARE.
Proposed Bill to Compel the Companies TO
Give Accommodation
How Passengers Are Protected in
European Cities.

II Is understood that bill viii be shortly introduced
In the Legislature providing under suitable penatos
that on oil horse city railroad lines passengers
are not TO be obliged 10 pay fares unless pro-
vidod for them in tho vehcles This ueedfuI measure
Ia intended TO stop the perncious practice OF over
erowding, which easily be ebviated by the COM
panies placing their at cortaln hours of the
day additional number OF The profits arising
from the traffic nearly all city lines enable stock
holders to enjoy dividend ranging from ten to een
per cent per annum besides paying on debts
which not contracted for tho building and equip
ment Of the roads. Last year similar bill was pre-
sented in the Assembly by one OF the
city delegation, but for some reason 1t was
smothered In Tho exposure and consequent
suffering of passengers have been so long that
has come 70 be considered that the companies the
right TO collect fares when the suitable accommodations
prescribed by law withheld is time that more
effective statute should be enacted and the public Sc
cured in their rights of person. and the corporations
compelled to fulfil their duties under their charter
THE ONLY PKRFRCr RKLIEP.
Tho Common Council possess considerable control
over the management OF the horse lines, but If
incorporating the companies plainly state that the city
authorities shall prescribe tho number cars be rum
the intervals at which they are TO bo started from each
terminus and other conditions all having in the
comfort and convenience OF the public which are now
totally ignored Indeed, there is regard whatever
paid 10 these important matters and the consequence
Is that thero Is very largo amount OF misery endured
in certain ssasons without any effective means so far
OF bringing about change for the better Overcrowd-
Ing is the great evil city cars, and perhaps,
complete will bs accomplished until the introduce
ton Of rapid transit
hGHrD or PASSKNQERS
As the law In interpreted now a passenger can de-
cline to pay fare unless he provided with suitable
accommodation in the ears-thzt is, \ seat, with
proper amount OF space and ventilation II he Is
PEELED from want of seat to stand and ho refuses to
pay fare and he is thus torcod TO leave car, passon
ger thus elected recover damages against the
company. But this would be tedious and expensive
process, and would not answer for the protection OF
that large army OF working girls and who travel
on the cars, and they areparticularly the former
the chief sufferers The bill proposed TO be introduced
next week will provide new remedy against over
crowding and make obligatory the companies 70
place sufficient number of their lines 90
meet the demands Of travel in tho required by
law. II may be added that measure OF like char
acter governing horse raroads) passed the lower
branch Of the California Legislature q week or ten
days ago II is 10 be hoped that the ow York Legis
ature will promptly suitable law this subject
II is very much needed The eny objection to II would
come from the companies, who are unwilling that their
large dividends should DO reduced cent matter
who may suffer.