Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-08-08
SleeDing Cars,

Sleeping Cars.
Perhaps in no one particular are the
wants Of the general public less con-
suited than in the sleeping cars-the
provision and running of which is vir-
tually monopoly extending over the
whole United States. Although the
cost of nearly everything in this coun.
try has been reduced, the tariff for a
nights rest, or unrest, still continues,
and on some roads has increased. Were
the accommodation 80 very much
greater than it was ten years ago there
would be reason for this; but, except in
the matter OF decoration and upholstery,
there is little or no'change. People are
still shut up in sitting little dens,
where ventilation is possible only at the
expense of modesty or q severe cold.
Men are obliged to dress or undress in
o promiscuous herd. The mattresses
and pillows are, without airing, put
away into an Theoretically sealed chest
under the seats or the roof of the car.
They may subsequently be disinfected
by pure air. They certainly are not
when the car runs, as many do, con-
tinuous journey Of twenty-four hours
or more. For all this Inconvenience,
nastiness and violation of decency, one
is obliged to pay more than is charged
at many of our first class hotels for
lodging and breakfast, and at least
twice as much as is asked for q large,
well-ventilated state room on most of
our steam boats.
OF course, there are many limitations
Of space which make it impossible to
provide Us comfortable q lodging on q
railroad car as can be secured in build.
ing or a steamer, but there is no reason
for believing the possibilities Of i'm
provement in this respect to be exhaust
ed, as would he seen once the monopo-
ly were broken up. Were the money
now spent in gliding and mirrors and
fresco and painting to be expended on
PLAIN, neat births or state-rooms and
these offered at reasonable figure, the
increased revenue from those who can
not stand the present prices would
probably justify the experiment.
Of course, those who can pay the
tariff and prefer the luxuries Of the
present style Of sleeping car, should be
provided with them. But those who
cannot do so ought to be accommodated
also. What would be thought OF city
where there were none but gL-priced,
luxurious hotels to which all travellers
must go or else sleep in the streets !?
Yet practically it is to this absurdity
that the railroads, under the present ar
rangemeut, condemn the travelling pub
lie, and-except in the few instances
where coaches with reclining chairs are
used-to which the public must meekly
submit. Even in the high priced ho-
tells there is sliding scale of prices for
the rooms, but in the Pullman cars
there is not the slightest deviation from
the memorable two dollars for bed.
In the Wagner cars the upper births
which some prefer-cost less, and it is
the general testimony that in conse-
quence of the general tendency to econ
Fomy these are occupied more than the
lower ones.
Why should not the railroad com.
panies see to it that there are attached
to their night trains one or more
"sleepers," whose prices and accommo-
dations should be- adapted to the scan
tier purse? Why should not the
sleeping car companies themselves pro-
vide vehicles wherein all substantial
comfort might be retained at the ex-
pense of gorgeousness of decoration
and richness of material? Our exten-
sive routes more and more compel night
travel. 1t is an economical method to
the traveller whose daylight is precious,
and, where the route is not too long, to
the railroad company that can run its
trains at diminished speed.
Conld the present monopoly once be
broken up, competition, as in the case
of hotels, would do something to rene
dy the evil, but the very nature of the
case tends to monopoly. Some legis-
laton has been projected looking to the
reduction Of prices; but legislation OF
restrictive sort almost invariably fails.
Legislation which will permit competi-
ton would be far more effective. 1t
would be better were the railroad COM
panies to take the matter in hand and
provide the public with what it needs.
But if, as alleged and generally be-
iieved, the railroads, in many cases,
are interested in the sleeping car lines,
no reform may be looked for at present.
Doubtless, an increased patronage of
cheaper cars would demonstrate the
wisdom of the change; but until the
change is made such proof is out of the
question. On general principles, how
ever, the patronage of the multitude is
more profitable than that OF the few
Detroit Free Press.
ARE FISH DRAF.-Most trout-fsher-
men would laugh at any scientist who
should tell them that trout are deaf.
Accustomed to move noisessly along the
banks of brooks, lest the timid fish take
alarm, and their sport be spoiled, the