The times., 1899-02-12
THE STOPPING OF CARS.
Mr.. CrOsb,'s Reply to the District
Commissioners.

Mr. CrOsby's Reply to the District
Commis ssioncrs.
President Oscar 7. Crosby, OF the City
and Suburban Railway Company, yester-
day replied to the request of the District
Commissioners for views regarding the
designation of points where street ears
should stop and take on passengers.
Il should say" states the report, "in
the first place, that the rule should be uni
form throughout the city, save only that
if, for special reason, stoppage is to be
made on the far side of the street, this
stoppage should be in addition 10 the stop
page on the near side of the street. 1t will
ordinarily be the case where this special
rule exists that the car will be desired TO
stop every trip at the far side. In stating
above that it should be made also at the
near side, | mean that this stoppage at
the near side should be made only when
demanded by passengers in the ordinary
way
The letter of Mr.. Crosby then compares
the two general ways of stopping. 1t cites
reasons why both methods might be adopt
ed His reasons in favor of making stops
on the near side OF the street are given as
follows:
Fir,t-Less trepidation on the part of foot
travellers, and probably greater degree of safety
Tor those not concerned passengers on the
railway. This is the and almost ony ad-
vantage of the near side, but II Is worthy OF
consideration.
Sccond-We might also consider under this
head that the start of the car is generally re-
qujrcd to he made at lower speed than II II
were started the far side, thus diminishing
the danger foot travellers. and in this respect
also slightly diminishing the danger of falling or
tripping OF passengers on the car.
The advantages in favor of stopping on
the far side are given as follows:
First-The speed OF the ear is less intcrfercd
with since both wagons and foot travellers, know
ing that a car is TO make for the Tar side. Will
give it right OF way at crossings, where, in the
opposite case, the car may be DELAYED by the
effort "i foot and wagon travellers To make the
opposite side during the anticipated trip TO the
far side
Second Generally the passenger aliGhts much
| nearer to the established crossing. this being oi
consequence in weather when conditions under
foot lad.
| more general throughout the country than stop
| ming at the near side and, in Il Il respect. ad-
| vantage Is had IN following the method to which
| the greater number Of strangers would be ac-
| cti,toncd 1t is largely a question ot habit with
| the traveller as to whether one method or the
| other would he more dangerous and hy reason oi
| the prevailing custom Of the far side it may be-
So far as visitors are concerned. that il would be-
| les dangerous when compared with the stopping
at the near side merely on the score OF habit
In conclusion. President Crosby states
that, in his opinion, the advantages and
disadvantages of each method OF stopping
| nearly balance each other, and that so far
| as the companies represented by him are
! concerned there is no objection TO the es-
! tablishment of one or the other He eX-
| presses a slight preference, however, for
stopping on the far side.