Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-03

refreshing sleep seemi
TO be impossible and not to be thought Of
Likewise Is their comprehension Of the specia
car system In vogue upon all the larger roads
tne price OF such appearing to them something
FABULOUS. Whether it is the gorgeous attire of
the porter or the impressive bearing Of the con-
ductor that has created this feeling is question
worthy OF debate. Fully one-half of the rura,
voters OF the country believe the special trair
furnished President Harrison for his great TRIP
through the west to the Pacific coast Of yea,
ago was a gratis distribution of the Inequalities
Of the different roads traversed. 1t is hard
nut to crack for them to believe that the Presi.
Gent OF the United States was paying out OF
his own pocket for a trip that gave the country
SO much pleasure. Yet such was the case. and
a retty penny was the aggregate cost Of the
trip. The railroads would willingly tender the
use OF their train service gratutiously, but they
as well as all well informed people. comprehend
the impossibility of such a favor being ten
dered or accepted. The cost to President Har-
rison was in the neighborhood of $3.50 dav,
80 that the total expenses of the trip can be
very nearly Appropriated.
SCHEDULES PoR SPECIALS
The different railroads are very similar to a
large retail concern doing business over q
counter. They offer their regular schedule
trains at fixed prices, but if you are too proud
to travel thus a special car will be furnished
you or special train made up at catalogued
prices. To travel in this ultra exclusiveness
was an unheard of extravaganza a decade or two
ago, except in rare cases Of haste and import
ance, but today special trains and special cars
have become quite ordinary occurrences.
One OF the local agents of the sleeping car
COrrailad ~ CT ID
reporter one night this week and considerable
information was vouchsafed that may, perhaps,
be news to the readers of The STAR, as it was
to the reporter. In substance the information
was about follows:
For $50 day a completely furnished and
gorgeous house on wheels can be had. This
includes beds for some seventeen persons. This
car will be placed on the rear of the train Sc
lected SO as to secure the benefits Of the obser-
walton room. Next to the observation room
are two drawing rooms, each being Of fair di-
mansions. Behind these is dining room
about fifteen feet long Berths occupy the
middle of the car. but during the day they are
comfortable sofas with an absence Of the stiff
ness that name generally applies. To the rear
a bath room is found possessing an inviting and
refreshing look on hot summers day, and
then comes the kitchen of fair size with its
china closet, pantry and cold-storage closet.
The car thus described Will be found in gem
eral use by all the railroad presidents and other
officials down to the superintendents Of divi-
sIons. 1t Is hardly necessary to add that these
gentlemen do not pay $50 day for their use.
Two or three such cars can be found at the
headquarters OF the differen. roads. which gem
orally being located in the large cities make
them available on n quick call
1t the number OF passengers in the car ex-
ceeds eighteen extra fares must be forthcoming
Mt the regular fixed charges Stops can be
made at all points desired. the car being side
tracked and used as home during the lay
over. This affords tourists an opportunity TO
visit points of interest and instead of putting
up at fourth-rate hotels and developing first
rate cases of indigestion the menu of their own
chef can be enjoyed in privacy and comfort.
The linen for table and beds, table ware,
crockery and every other necessary article is
supplied. Three servants and "A cook a waiter
and porter go with the outfit and are under
the orders Of the tenant. Heating and lighting
are also thrown in. 1t is optional with the
tourist whether the company's servants and
supplies are used; his own servants and furnish
ings can be brought along if he so desires This
OF course, calls for additional expense The
best plan Is to allow the company to furnish
everything needful, as they make special ar
engagements and develop facilities to do it well
and without any worry or friction to the
traveller.
SKILLED COOKS GO WITH THEM.
The cooks that go with these cars are possessed
OF more than the average intelligence, and, be-
sides preparing an appetizing bill OF fare, ar
range for the fresh supply of provisions at
stations days ahead. In this way toothsome
delicacies secured in the shape Of birds and
game known only to the localities through
which the road used traverses. For instance.
if the northern New York route to the west is
taken grouse that would shun any other air
than that Of the aristocratic Adirondacks can
be bought and handed on at a convenient sta
ton by simply telegraphing ahead, or if the
southern route through Virginia to the gulf
coast should be decided upon the rail or rice
bird may be had in the fall and in winter the
rare meat of the Blue mountain deer served up
III steaks worthy OF the most exacting epicure
All these plans and arrangements are subject
to variations. The traveller with exclusive
ideas can secure an ordinary sleeping car for
his private use for $40 a day. He can have
buffet added for S45 or a dining and obserya-
ton car for $50 Several Of the roads fur
nish what is called the hunting" car for the
metropolitan sportsman that cares not for the
price of things. but looks for comfort as the
primary excuse for living. In these cars are
kennels for dogs, racks for guns, fishing tackle
and perhaps a bottle or two Of the fluid that
exhilarates. This car costs S35 day and ap-
pears cheap, all incidentals including SER
wants, are thrown in. This car is used quite
extensively on the western roads and the price
varies slightly.
HOTEL on WHEELS.
During the political campaigns the auditor of
this branch Of the railway service is kept busv
providing cars and Strengthening out accounts.
as prominent speakers are well cared for by the
respective committees of both parties, who de-
sire as many speeches made and at as MANY
different points as possible For these men
then a regular hotel on wheels is furnished and
costs about S225 per diem. This hotel en-
braces an entire train consisting of three seep-
ing cars, dining car and buffet smoker. The
latter is gorgeous affair in its way, the an
pointments being of the finest and in extremely
good taste. Rugs of Persian make. an inch or
two in thickness, cover the floor the furniture
is Of massive oak and leather covered. and Sill
yer and gold plating are conspicuous on ali
sides. 1t embraces bar, a barber shop. a ba IN
room and library for quiet confab with
the provincial politicians and contains
magazines and pictorial and daily papers. 1t
is, in short, q small club room on wheels. The
company draws the line at furnishing the LIQUID
Refreshments for this car. as the introduction of
local committees to the travelling speakers de-
velops an abnormally large demand, for which
it would be mere guesswork to set q price upon
before starting on the journey. This car IN
doubtediy represents the highest development
of the modern psrlor car. II an observation
car is desired to be added to this train Gas
extra is the schedule price. Spellbinders who
travel in this way are generally of . higher
strata OF ability and q proper setting for this
mosaic, as it were, Is demanded and readily
accorded.
Among railroad zen abroad there il a saving
to the effect that the only people who travel