New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-22
A STPETTCAR DILEMMA.

Therc is n rather lively controversy going on
inst now over the proper treatment OF the 'front.'
doors Of strcctcars and especially those running
ON thc cable lines OF the Metropolitan Traction
comnany. Some persons are peculiarly sus-
ccptible tC draughts and are perhaps entitled
10 pity on tina. account. though they are gen
orally to blame for having neglected 10 deVeiop
their natural powers of resistance. The spokes-
mon for This unfortunate class say that II Is an
outrage for the railroad companies 10 permit
the front doors Of ears TO be opened in cold
weather 70 suit the convenience of persons de-
string 10 get on or or inasm,rh all others
concerned are thereby subjected TO discomfort
and the risk of contracting pneumonia. our
suppositon IS that these DIRECTORS are IN the
minority and that the more common sentiment
in such cases Is gratitude that by the opening
Of the front doors current OF fresh air IS al
mitted 10 cars In which to breathe l. misery
Moreover. can imagine those arraycd on this
side OF the case rctorting that cold Is the least
Of the maladies TO which passengers In public
conveyanccs are exposed: that a cold doesh
run into pneumonia, which is n germ disease
any more than measles runs into broken leg.
though OF course. II may produce preiisposi-
ton 10 other ailments. and that fresh air saves
q dozen lives for every death 1t causes.
SO far. then, as these Inspirations passengers
are concerned, the discussion resembles mar
which host Of correspondents carried on III
our columns several years ago with great AM
nation. the question at that time being whether
the person happening 10 SIT next the window
In steam railroad car had an exclusive right
TO determine whether II should be closed or
open. But the persons Who Ike cool draugh's
OF air and the persons who dctcst them are NOT
the only parties to this controversy: or. 10 speak
more exactly the question OF preference on That
score Is not the whole Of the case. Not only the
persons who are TO stay In the car. but those
who want to get off are proper subjects OF con-
sideration. At times when the aisle Is jamm@i
and every strap precariously sustains dangling
wretch, everybody who, being near the front
door and wanting to make his exit, Is compelled
TO shoulder his way through the throng 10 the
rear platform Is not only himself made miscr-
able by that necessity. but Is inevitably the
cause Of misery TO all who remain. Then there
are the outsiders who want to get aboard. Shall
they be allowed to enter by the front door. per-
haps with comparative ease or forced 10 sti7ig-
gle for a foohod mt the other end OF the car =?
1t may be said that these being mere app-
cants. have acquired 10 rights and should be
| treated as trcspassers rather than as tenants
| in common. But where Is the line to be drawn!
Those who on one trip growl at newcomers are
sure to he invaders NJ another time and quick
| TO resent n hint Of exclusion
| At this pon: appear the social reformcrs and
| say that the system. Is all wrong. They are
certain that the responsibility rests upon the
transportation companies which have no bust
ness 10 permit overcrowdng. A seat for every
passenger and every passenger in his seat Ii
| their creed and we are referred 10 Paris for an
object lesson in the equities OF traffic. Well.
either happily or unhappily, Ncw-York Is not
! Paris and 1t is not just easy TO do some
| things as II is to do others, Sam Patch TO the
contrary notwithstanding There is limit to
! the number Of cars which can be- run on any line,
and, that number having been reached the
company which should attempt TO enforce a rule
| OF exclusion when the seats were occupied would
in all probability fail and would certainly be
an object Of execration If It succeeded The
American people have an Unsuitable desire to
"get there" and, however much they may Ia
to be crushed and stfcd, they hate still more to
be hindered.
Therefore, men and brethren let us encour-
age and support the labors OF the Rapid Transit
Commission, and pray for underground trains,
and plenty Of them.