St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-02
A FLINiSY EXCUSE.
That Made by the City Railways
SUPERINTENDENT


To the Editor of the Globe.
The City Railway Company's explana-
ton regarding the charge of double fare
where a passenger gets on the car be-
tween Wabasha street and corner of
Fifth and Robert streets, is as fiimsy
and unreasonable as the oruer itself.
Supt. Huskins says that the reason is 20
prevent people from stealing rides be-
fore reaching the designated corner, and
he further states that this order applies
only to the three lines named, Grand
avenue, Smelling and Como. Now, if
this is true, why does it not apply to the
otner lines? Every one who desires TO
steal ride will no doubt be appraised
of the fact that they MAY steal rides Oh
the other lines, but not OH the three
lines named. But, again, If people are
allowed to steal rides within this pre-
scribed limit by vigilant line of con-
ductors, what will prevent them from
stealing rides over parts OF the lines
where the conductors do not collect
fares within limits Of six to eight
blocks?
The fiimsiness of this excuse mast be
railway company has to do is to instruct
the conductors to collect the fare imme-
diately when passenger enters, eSpe-
cially il he is not regular passenger,
and allow him to ride to the end of his
route. The fact is that the conductors
are familiar with almost every one who
is regular passenger and know that
such n one does not steal ride, and
where there is any doubt the company
can make itself doubly sure 10y eXacting
the fare immediately when the passen-
ger enters the car. But that this tlimsy
excuse is not the real reason is evident,
because had it been the real reason it
would apply with equal force to all the
other lines which make the loop.
The real reason is apparent. 1t Is to
annoy the regular daily passengers who
do business and who are employ ed
within the limits named, and to compel
them to pay double fare. Especially
does not arise as one man and resent it,
upon the poor tired girls who cannot
run after the cars and vino are anxious
to reach their homes at night, and who.
rather than make fuss about 1t, pay
the extra Dlckel. Had the superintend-
ent Kept quiet and not given Il reason
the public may have imagined there
was some real cause for this outrageous
order, but the reason given simply eX-
poses the company in its effort to
, eXtort 10 cents for one trip. Ii
it succeeds with these three lines
and the public keeps quiet about
it the rule will he extended TO the other
lines. From the way the superintendent
expresses himself, to wit. that this rule
applies only to the three lines named. il
would seem that the stealing of rides
within the four or five blocks applies
| only to the people living OH the Grand
avenue. Fort Smelling and Como lines
AS live on the Grand avenue line
| will personally vouch for the fact thai
my neighbors are no more likely TO stea
rides than those people who go towaro
! Minneapolis. If the company thinks
| differently, their conductors, who art
usually keen, sharp men, can spot +;
| Grand avenue passenger. especially on,
| who goes the entire route, and max.
him pay the instant he puts foot in th,
| car
MIR. Hoskins. try again. and tell III
why this outrageous order was made.
| April l, 1894. Y.