The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-10-15
MAY HAVE A PRIVATE CAR.
A Luxury That a Party of Eighteen May
Enjoy.

A Luxury That "a Party of Eighteen May
Enjoy.
Private cars are popularity looked upon as
the exclusive perquisites of railway kings
and successful actors and actresses who
affect lavish expenditures. it is generally
believed that railway officials go about the
county in rolling palaces, levying tribute
and paying cash for nothing. Such is not
the case except among connecting lines,
which have traffic agreements and recipro-
cate in kind on a definite basis. Railway
people awe individual tickets like other
passengers, and their special cars are carried
on the same basis as any other cars would
be containing the same number of people.
1t will be news to the average traveller
that under the rules of almost every rail
road in the United States any party of
eighteen can enjoy tine exclusiveness of q
private car, or a less number can have a
car to themselves by purchasing eighteen
tickets. They must charter the car be-
sides, hui the eighteen tiekete are all the
railroads require for the exclusiveness
which most people suppose TO DO accorded
only to kings and their imitators.
The two great palace car companies have
come fifty cars. the most of which are better
built and more luxurious than the cars of
railroad officials. In fact nine-tenths of
the latter are nothing but Offices on wheels,
with neither special style nor comfort. The
special cars belonging to the Pullman and
Wagner companies are lifted with observa-
ton rooms, boudoirs, dining rooms and
kitchens. A cook and porter go with each
car as part of the furniture. Their salaries
are paid BIZ the owners of the car, but they
of course expect fees from the people who
charter it. the charge for such ears ls from
1916 to $40 a day, according to the time of
usage. 1t will thus be seen that uarty mum
boring eighteen persons would pay no more
for a private car than they would have to paw
for berths in an ordinary sleeper. The special
car feature Of travel ID little advertised be-
cause the railroad companies 90 not
find it as profitable as regular bust
ness, but they will accommodate all
who want such service. A conpenial
party can thus make a trip across the
continent with all the luxuries of the Van
derbilts and Goulds, at little more expense
than ordinary tourists. Eighteen persons
would somewhat crowd the average private
ear now in use, but twelve would have
plenty of elbow room, and the expense to
each would only be half of an additional
ticket. The cook may safely be trusted to
purchase all supplies in accordance witt
the wishes of the occupants of the car.
who have nothing to Go but pay the actual
cost of food. Cooks sent with such cars
are usually experts, and only need a hint in
regard to the expense and general style of
the service.
Theatrical luminaries who luxuriate in
private cars usually charter them by the
season from one of the palace car COM
panies, and have their own names emblaz-
oced thereon, instead of the original name
of the car and the company owning it.
Paint is not expensive, and quite q reduo-
tlon from the regular charter rate is made
to people who contract for an entire season,
1t may thus be geen that the style doesn't
come SO high as it might seem to.