The morning call., 1894-02-23
phast and phuriOu." on the track of the Scenic

phast and phurious" On the track OF the Scenic
Railway.
The box Office was literally besieged all day.
Hundreds crowded around the entrance TO the
cars. and stood patiently in long lines for their
turn 10 ride on the exhilarating road. with its
two-thiris of mile OF track. On every trip
each seat IN the cars was occupied. During the
course Of the day thousands of passengers were
carried over this miniature system. So perfect
there was no jostling. nothing uncomfortable,
and not the least element of danger.
AS matter OF fact the history OF the scenic
railways everywhere is enviable for its free
dom from accidents. 1t has not one tenth of
the danger OF an electric or even a cable car
system. The Scenic Railway at the Midwinier
Fair grounds Is model even among other safe
roads OF the same kind Guards are on every
car and at every entrance, so that under no cir
cumstanees can any serious mishap occur.
j.. A. Thompson, the inventor and sole owner
oil The system, gives the operation Of The road
bis personal supervision. lie has buit and
operated similar roads all over the United
States and Europe. Fer the past ten years he
has been In the business, and during this period
he has built scenic and gravity railways in
more than 100 different localities. IQ all this
extended and varied experience lie las never
had an accident OH any road he has operated
As a manager OF these enjoyable and entertain
lug features, he Is The personiheation OF care
fulness.
With rare lioeralty, Mr.. Thompson has ar
ranged a treat Tor all the juvenile visitors who
come TO Sunset City this morning 10 celebrate
"Childrens day" Although his daily patron
age taxes the Accommodations OF the SCENE rail-
way 10 its utmost capacity, when the fare Is 10
cents trip, Mr.. thompson has arranged To
carry ali his small patrons to-day at half price
Tie mas iJ so arranged that there Will be no
crOwdlng. but all Will be given ride In turn
"feS. reflection on the safety of the scenic
railway appeared in morning paper, and also
In a circular distributed over tile grounds
said MIR. Thompson 10 CALL reporter yester-
day. The EXPLANATION OF this attack is very
simple. reporter of the paper In question
came 10 see me about giving all The school
children FIRE rides on ehidren's DAY. ] replied
that business had been exceedingly dull during
the wet spell and that now fine weather is ON
my regular patrons keep me busy. 10 give
free rides 10 the children would simply swamp
my paying business for The day. / could NOT
afford TO 90 II, nor could afford TO disappont
my regular patrons who expect TO ride. nv
giving the preference TO the children free /
said that l was willing 10 90 half way ana
would carry all school children for 8 cents.
This offer seemed perfectly satisfactory TO the
reporter, and 1 considered the matter settled
Later, however, the PROPRIETOR and several
other attaches OF The paper In question came To
see me and asked for free rides for the chill
dren. explained again the extraordinary ex-
peDse / am under and the large amount 1 have
invested, and said that the best / could din
would be the hair rate. Then the article was
printed insinnaling that the railway Is unsafe,v