The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-20
WEST END TRANSFERS.

The Boston Herald cannot be accused
of being a hireling of railroad corpora
tioas, nor an endorser of grasping fran
chises. but the action Of the Massachu-
setts Legislature to make transfer tickets
compulsory on the West End Street
Railway without extra charge of fare
moves this great newspaper to the fol-
lowing remarks:
II Is true that the West End has valuable
franchise and has been and Is making money
by the conduct of its business; but 10 should
also be remembered that there is no city In
the United States, or as to that matter in
Europa, that has better system OF
street transportation so far as the clean
illness and comfort OF the cars are
concerned, and so far rs the qualifications OF
the routes go, than is given In Boston by the
West End Street Railway Company. When
one rides in the absolutely filthy cars which
are run on many Of tho lines In New York.
Philadelphia and Chicago, one realizes that
the free transfer system may be at
tended, by its reduction II income, with
decided disadvantage, since, whether the
company Is located in Boston or Chicago IL
proposes TO squeeze good dividend out of its
gross income, whatever that income may be.
and II the company is forced on one side TO
grant certain concessions to the public, it
simply economies on the other side in the
public accommodations 1t affords"
This represents fairly we'll the posi-
tion OF THE News on the situation here
in Providence. We have the best rail-
road system in the country, Boston not
excepted. Money has been lavishly
spent in equipment and to secure the
convenience and comfort of passengers.
We believe that the public should be
given all that can be cot in the way of
service, but we do not believe in
binding and gagging the trolley
company, semi-public corporation, so
that it can pay no dividends without
ruinously reducing its service in other
lines, as is the situation in Toronto, for.
instance, where the much talked about
trolley company furnishes so much
money to the public exchequer and a
transit service TO the people that is
so miserable that it stagnates business.
We are not disposed TO back up the
Union Railroad Company in all that
it does or doesn't do, but we main
tain that no one has right
to assume that its position is that of
warfare with the public that it needs
must cater to for its own interests. A
committee of the City Council is now
looking into this matter, and as they are
reputable and level headed gentlemen
they are likely to find out how much the
railroad company can do with fairness
TO itself as well as to the public, and
how much it cannot do. 1t is not
matter for ignorant indignation, but for
calm and busness-like discussion. The
Union Railroad Company cannot be
allowed to Cypress the public, even if it
were run by such short-sighted business
men as to attempt it. But on the other
hand the public cannot get something
for nothing, and it is evidently not to
the public interests TO allow any set Of
self-astumed directors and dictators of
the affairs of tha people and of the troll
ley company's to crowd the latter into
giving more than 1t can reasonably
afford to. We have a fine and useful
service, well-conducted street railway,
and we don't want to sacrifice any part
of it in an effort to get more than can
justly, and on sound business grounds,
be claimed.