Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-26
VESTIBULES TO CARS.
MIR. FoLKEys BILL REPORTED BIZ
THE SENATE COMMITTEES.
VIGOROUS PROTESTS FROM COMPANIES
Their Counsel Oppose the Measure
More Because of Increased Dam
ger Than ON the Ground OF Ex-
pense-LegisIatfve Gossip.

pense-LeRisIntfve Gossip.
The Senate Committee on Roads and
Internal Navigation yesterday afternoon
decided to report favorably the Folkes
bill recurring street railway companies 10
equip their cars with vestibules for the
motormen.
Mr.. Charles T.. Bland, the Delegate
from Portsmouth, made forcible ar
gument for the bill, arguing tnat the
manner In which motormen were COM
PEELED to muffie themselves In winter
when working on cars unprotected oy
vestibules prevented their exercising the
proper care to avoid accidents. He also
argued that considerations Of humanity
should move the committee TO report the
bill favorably. Many motormcn had con-
tracted serious and often fatal lung trou-
BILE by reason of exposure, and the puphc
riding on unvestibuled cars was subjected
to great discomfort. He read letter
from the general manager of the Ports
mouth and Port Norfolk street railway
saying that his company had long used
the vestibuled cars, and not only touna
them perfectly satisfactory but he could
not see how any company could refuse
to protect its employees when IT. couid
be done so easily. Mr.. Bland also stated
that great electric line in Phlladeipnia
was equipping its cars with VesuDuies Ut
a cost Of s25 each and that the cars on
the line between Old Point and newport
News had long been so equipped, WIN
t-<. tn
DIFFERENT ON CROWDED STREETS
Mr.. McRae, representing the electric
railway Of Petersburg, argued that the
railroads cited by Mr.. Bland as using
the vestbuled cars were practically su-
burban lines, where such could easily De
operated. but upon crowded streets 1t was
| necessary that the men running the cars
| should be able to exercise the utmost
watchfulness. i'm order to avert accidents,
which they could not do encased in glass
| and wood.
Mr.. McRae showed that in all the states
where street railway companies were re-
quired by law to have vestibuies on tnen
cars. special conditions existed, making
such legislation practicable.
FOR RICHMOND LINES.
Mr.. E. Randolph Williams, president oil
the Richmond Traction Company, argued
along the same lines. He dwelt upon the
fact that It was impossible for motor
man shut up I'm one of the proposed Vestl-
| bules to see and hear clearly enough 10
| enable him to run his car in a manner
necessary for the safety Of the passen-
gers in his car, or those who were on the
| streets.
Mr.. A. b. Guigon. counsel for the Rich
mond Railway and Electric COMPANY
made a strong argument against the piil
SAYING that the company did not care loi
the slight cost involved In complying
with the proposed law, but opposed IL Oh
the ground that it's men could not pro-
nerlv discharge their duties with the YES
tibule attached. He SAID tne COMPANY
was operating several vestibuled cars
which had been purchased from com
many which Instituted a SUBURBAN Inc
and ala not know Inuch about street ran
wave hut that I'M order to avoid acci
dents the company had to have the yer,
best motormen in its employ Operate
them He believed the damage suit
which would result from using the yes
tibules would cost the company very
much more than the amount expended
IN making the change. In conclusion, N
asked II the committee decided TO repor
the hin favorably, that 1t would at leas
except the mule-oars operated on broa'
street The driver couldn't thrash hi
mules If he had 10 sit in vestlbule' am
the mules wouldn't go without the casti
cation. >eor
MIR. A. p. Thorn. counsel for the Norton
street-Railway Company, spoke agaihs
The hill. saving the streets of Norfol
,,,oro very narrow: that II was undoubtec
lv dangerous to operate cars upon thei
without yestibules. and that with tines
the danger would be very much Increased
He thought the motorman OF car wa
,nuch like the lookout on vessel, WI
bad To stand for hours i'm sleet and ran
I'm order to insure the safety or the pa
sengers, crew, and property. lie thousi
that II there was to be any legisiatlo
affecting the motormen 1t should be j
the direction of giving them short'
hours.
THE PATRON IS HEARD.
Delegate f.. c.. Folkes, of Richmon
the patron of the bill, made very e
fectiye argument for the measure. 4
said the whole of the opposition or tf
comnanies resolved itself into matte
of dollars and cents. He knew the bi
was earnestly desired by every motormd
in Richmond. though he thought tne
were afraid to say so. He dld not lhlr
= the statements furnished by the opp
, nents of the bill, alleged to come ITO
leading street-railway men or the cou
trv were reliable and endeavored
show Instances in which they were no
: He said he was opposed to radical legI
o lation of every character, and did n
nropose TO endeavor to work on the syr
pathies of the members Of the committee
= he simply wanted justice DONE and ask
for proper protection for operators OF
: street-cars. including the mule-driyers.
MIR. Folkess speech was very stroi
one. and II was plainly evident tnat
IMPRESSED the committee deeply.
:. :. After short executive session the cor
!. mittee decided to report the Dill iavo
y ably, with an amendment, eXcepui
. Petersburg from the operation OF the Ia