The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-13

say of Chestnut and Taylor streets. and
wishing 10 go to the high school on Suffer
street, between Octavia and Cough. might
go several ways.
He might walk in an airline along
Chestnut to Octavia, paying no attention
to the precipitous grades which he was
breasting. and thence along Octavia to Suit
ter-a distance of twenty-six blocks,
that's all.
Or he might walk four blocks to the
Union-street cars, take transfer at Hyde
and again at California and walk from
California to the school. That would only
cost him cents one way and half miles
walk.
Or he might charter balloon and trust
to luck.
Or-and this might be best after all-he
might buy some communication tickets (f
they were on sale) and get to school quickly,
surely and at a minimum cost
So much for distances to schools. It will
be noted that only cases of hards hip for
boys have been touched on. The case of
the bright girl who is DESTROYS of finishing
her education is still harder one. Prob
and not only is her time wanted. but it is
often very difficult to find the pennies
necessary for her carfare. If she walked
there Is an appreciate difference in the
recurring time of new shoes"-that ser-
Gus domestic item. Then there is the
street costume, the new hat, the gloves,
which must be more than ever mice" if
the wearer is to walk home. walking
home" means walking with other girls; it
means accompanying them home some
times; it means meeting mutual acqua amt
ances; it means that family self-res pect
must be kept up at any cost. If the sub
Ject could jump into car and 60 straight
home many of these Incidental but now
burdensome expenses might be obvated.
Another grand opportunity for the car
companies is al hand, which taken at the
food may lead them on to fortune.
There IS little doubt that the midwinter
fair project has taken firm hold Of the San
Francisco, not to say California, mind.
Pretty soon-long before the fair is in alb
soute readiness-every child in the city
and suburbs will be eager TO 90 out to see
the proposed scene of the great Pacific
Coast enterprise. From that time on there
will be row in every family about going
out to the fair.
The shrewd-eyed car director can close
his bright optics and imagine the splendid
harvest of Communication tolls which may
be reaped right now and from now on!
Surprising that a directorate were to
announce that in consequence of the re-
districting of school limits, and in view of
the probability Of Increased travel to
Golden Gate Park. it had been decided to
issue Communication tickets to be good for
children any day of the week. what sem
sation it would create. 1t is easy to imagine
the relief of mOney-worTied parents and
the delight of the children who would see
cheap rides without end in prospect. But
it is not so easy to gauge the extent of the
profit which the movement would cause
to decorate the cOmpany's ledgeTs at the
half-yearly balancing. Nor is it easy to
picture the directors taking their good for
tune as matter Of course. 1t would be
much more natural for them to be found
reproducing themselves that they had not
been wise enough to inaugurate the step
before.
The cars may be made essentially the
daily friends Of the children. In the
afternoons, when traffic is light. the
patronage of children would be gOdsend
TO the lines. Children don't weigh much
and don't take up much room either.
There is Blockers, Of course; he is almos,
as broad as he is long, but then he is the
celebrated exception that proves the rule.
You can generally get three children into
the ordinary space allotted for two adults,
and it is common 10 see five little ones
packed into the front seat of the dummy
on Sundays. Give the children a chance.
The time may not be very distant when
more stringent conditions will be demanded
of applicants for city franchises than have
hitherto been thought sufficient. In the
matter of a recent application for public
telephone privileges this disposition was
very clearly shown.
Once let the public grasp the idea that
the companies are not willing to be accom-
modating in small things and seed will
be planted which it will be difficult 10
eradicate and which may bear embar-
RAISING fruit In many controversy yet
unborn. The relation between public
services and the public is recogE lied by
the officials as deicatey poised, and it has
always been their interest to straighten
out every wrinkle and concede every just
demand made for the public good.
This proposition for children's commute
ton fares will probably be one of the
next public Improvements considered by
the car companies. 1t is only a question
of time when it will become an accom-
plished fact, and 1t will be interesting 10
note which company will be the first to
have the courage of its opinions.