The morning call., 1894-08-04
WEARY OF GATES.
They Cost the Railroad
Much Money.
An Inquiry From One of the Public
About the Law Governing the
Speed of Trains.

1t seems that the gates on the local cars
in Oakland. which at one time called forth
such expressions of Indignation and pro-
test from the citizens across the bay, are
destined TO prove white elephant on the
hands of the railroad company.
Now that the public has become accus-
toned to their use, the citizens who are
daily in the habit of taking the train to
and from this city would not return to the
old system under any consideration. Under
that system when everybody was per-
mitted to board the train it was frequently
impossible to obtain a seat while now that
is seldom reason for objection.
Since the strike the railroad company has
found it necessary TO make every reduc-
tion possible In its expense accounts. and
it is said that the daily outlay for the
necessary extra help on the cars caused
by the use of these gates has been the
subject of several consultations among the
officials
The trouble now encountered is that
whereas the people formerly were in yio-
lent opposition to the use of the gates,
they would now just as violently oppose
their discontinuance, and it is probable
that any siep in that direction would be
met by organized efforts to thWart its ac-
complishment.
The following communication will ex-
plain itself:
Editor of The Call-DEAR SIR: Would you
kindly inform a subscriber and the residents OF
Illinois street If there is any limit TO he speed
of trains within the city limits and on streets
where there Is considerable travel. We who
| live on this street must have fallen INTO dis
! favor with the Southern Pacific Railroad Com
pany, and especially so since the strike started.
! Before the strike the several trains on this
| frnNr mil n
human life, but since then twenty five mile
an hour rate is nothing. and this too with ten or
fifteen empty cars In front OF the englnr. There
was a time when parent could 90 out and
look after the children when the noise Of an
approaching train was heard, but now parent
can do nothing but hold his breath until t is
past. We have the most marvellous escapes
every day. and but few days ago man re-
turning from work had his foot almost torn
from his body before he knew how 1t happened.
Such is the careeSSness and utter indifference
of those who are running trains on Illinois
street. | am sir. yours, etc., RESIDENT.
7. .S.-Tbe injured man referred 10 above Is
at present at ST. Mary'S Hospital and his name
is Robert Bowen.
There is law regulating the speed of
trains in this city. but the complaints in
this respect heretofore have chiefly been
that the trains run too slowly.
General Superintendent Fillmore said
Yesterday that the speed of trains on Illi-
nois street is no greater at present than 1t
was before the strike occurred. lie stated
that the fact that no complaints of eXces-
sive speed by trains reached his Office was
pretty conclusive evidence that there was
little or no cause for SUCH.
Yesterday the ticket agents had their day
in court, when the case OF Charles ID. VIII
lard against Robert Capelle was called be-
fore Judge Low.
This, it will be remembered, is the out
growth OF an attempt upon the part OF one
Or tyun Obtain lVlHRn0n
against another agent of selling tickets at
less than regular rates.
From all the evidence obtainable, it ap-
pears that Mr.. Willard put up over $500
for some tickets to New York presumably
for certain individuals. Mr. Willard, by
bis own statement in court. gave fictitious
names to Mr.. Capelle, using Tor this pur-
pose list furnished him by j. G. McCaul.
agent of the Erie road. but Of which, un-
| fortunately, he neglected 10 keep copy.
The tickets were not delivered at the
| time the money was deposited because it
was necessary that Mr.. Capelle should
procure the necessary tickets from the
various lines to be trayersed. Meanwhile
he became suspicious that the purchaser
was working up a case against him, and
when the latter called around after his
! tickets Mr.. Capelle demanded that the
actual purchasers be brought into the office
so that they might sign the tickets, as re-
| CURED Dy rule Oh tn6 OOuinorn Iaclnc
Company.
| AS the names were fictitious this was q
manifest lmpossibility. and upon the de-
mand of Mr.. Willard that the money be
returned 10 him Mr.. CaDelle refused TO
comply.
subsequently a warrant for the latter's
arrest was sworn out, and the trial came
off Yesterday.
The case occupied but little OF the courts
time and was unceremonlously thrown
out. In the complaint Mr.. Willard had
sworn that the money deposited with Mr..
Capelle for the tickets belonged to him.
while yesterday when j. G. McCaul, the
Erie agent. was on the stand he testified
that the money was his.
AS the matter now stands, Mr.. Ca2elle
is In possession of both the money and
tickets. and is likely to keep both.
Meanwhile Mr.. Hitchcock calmly strokes
his whlskers and appears content
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