Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-10
(WashingtOn POst.)


Divers cities are just now more or less
disturbed over the old question of crowded
street-cars at certain hours OF the
day In some cities the mo seat, no
fare" agitation is renewed. In others,
1t is proposed TO charge only half rates
for passengers who have no chance TO
sit down. In Chicago, a distinguished
member OF the Civic Federation calls
on that body to resolve "in favor OF such
legislation as will impose fines or other
penalties against all car companies that
permit people to ride on crowded vehi-
cles"
1t needs but moderate supply OF brains
and limited accumulation of know
ledge to enable any person to UNI
derstand that it is simply impossible for
any street railway company, no matter
how well equipped and literally managed,
to have seating facilities for all who may
desire them at any and all points on its
lines at all hours.
The most casual acquaintance with the
habits Of. the people will inform any
person of average intelligence that every
body insists on boarding the first
car. no matter how densely 1t is crowded
and regardless Of the approach OF an
other car only a minute behind. One
can see every day in the year a car loaded
the limits Of comfort, health, or safety
closely followed by a car almost empty.
To be told by a conductor or motorman
to take the next car" even though IL
be but a few seconds away, offends the
average patron and sets him or her 10
making complaints to the management.
SO long as people will insist on getting
into or onto cars that are crowded mo
seat, no fare" will be no remedy. In
fact. IT would but aggravate the evil,
for there are numerous samples of hu-
manity who would gladly seize that
chance for a free ride.
AS 70 the half-fare proposition, il Is Inn
practicable The car that is crowded at
one point is quite likely to be half unload
ed at the next corner. 1t would be ridicu-
lous TO have the half-fare passengers
standing for a mile, or maybe three miles,
with empty seats on both sides of them.
1t would be unjust TO the company for
them TO sit and not pay full fare. The alb
surdity of this reform scheme Is manifest.
Ihe Chicago proposition to infiict penal
ties on companies that permit people 10
ride on crowded vehicles is not creditable
to its author The Inter Ocean, of that
city, disposes Of it very efectually with
these comments:
Would il not be more wise and just 10
infiict penalties upon the people who crowd
themselves into overloaded cars? Observe
this: The companies do not pull the people
on TO the cars. The people board the cars
without compulsion. IL the companies re-
fuse TO carry more people than they can
accommodate with seats large number Of
would-be passengers will be kept walt
ing till the rush is over. But they do not
want TO be kept waiting: II they did they
would not board the crowded cars. so
that the distinguished gentleman's project
may be termed AN act 10 compel people
TO wait who 90 not want to wait 1t
amounts TO nothing more or less than
this"
Human laws and institutions have not
vet been so far perfected as to abolish all
the Inconvenience of life. Street-car
travel has been greatly improved in all re-
spects In the last few years, and Is still
nushing on toward higher attainments,
but we doubt If the companies will ever
be able to have a vacant seat always
ready lust wlfen and where IT is wanted.