The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-11-11
RAPID TRANSIT
Fol. LONDON, TOWN.
Her Historic Old Public Conyeyances
are to be Replaced by Up-,o-
Date American IL" Roads.

AT last London has 4 rapid transit with
all of the advantages OF the famous New
York Chicago, Brooklyn and boston ele-
ya,ed railways, and what is best OF all,
a means of quick transportation which
is TO be under the control of American
,inanc.crs. Until the present year. Lo1l-
donerS have shown no desire Whatever,
to secure the boon o. rapid tTansiforta-
ton which is enjoyed by thousands OF
American towns, and have looked upon
all propositions for such an innoya ton
with as much suspicion as John China
man regards the doctrines Of Chrstia i'y.
Four miles an hour by bus or Sew or
eight by the miserable underground rail-
road have been the height OF the London
business mans speed, and TO this condl-
ton are attributed many other evils De
sides that Of slow transportation. chief
Of which is the slun iife OF the great
city.
But now the change has come In
two short months this .'Tuppenny tube
has broken down the prejudices of gen
erations. The Central London Railway,
to give it its proper designation, has been
a popular and financial success from the
start It has carried an average OF
about 10000 passengers daily since IL vas
opened two months ago. 1t is only six
miles long, running east and west from
the Bank OF England to Shepherds Bush,
Just beyond the confines of kensington.
It does little or nothing toward the solu-
ton of the overcoming problem, for +,
opens no new residential territory avail
able for artisans and others Of small
means. It has simply absorbed most OF
the travel from one OF the main arteries
OF London which formerly used the slow
and ,unl beri,g bus.
SEVERAL INNOVATIONS.
Tho "Tuppenny Tube" has, however.
introduced successfully several important
Innovations which point directly TO the
successful solution OF the rapid transit
problem in the near future. It has abol-
ished compartments and classes. intro
duced q uniform fare Of two pence (four
cents for any distance and accelerated
speed TO a point within reasonable scope
Of the :erm rapid transit.
1t WAS considered q rash and doubtful
experiment to provide only one class Of
accommodation for arstocratic and cos
tcrrnonging London. The directors have
found no reason thus far for making any
change All London, they say, rides in
omibuses when it cannot afford cabs;
why not do the same in railway car
riage, where eacl, passenger mas more
room than in g bus?
The trains are pract oaliy identical with
those on the American elevated roads,
exoepe that they are drawn by electric
motors. which are much heavier ifortv
tons each than necessary, and there
fore more expensive Than need he. Half
Of the cars are smokers Tint is
concession which no Engiishnlan will be
deprived OF even during a hve-nlinute
r de.
There is this to be said, however, on be-
half OF the Engiisilman and his pipe or
cigar-he is a clean smoker. An English
smoking carriage IS as clean as any other
after journey, except perhaps for some
dry cigar or cigarette ashes on the floor.
In other words, the Engl shman doesn't
spit
The most important reform which the
Tuppenny Tube Is introducing is that 1t
Is teaching the Londoner to step live
iy.'' Not that ne IS invite to bestir him.
self In the curt language Of an AneTl-
can gatenan. It is. All oar. please,
or please move up"
But London is learning its needfui les
son much moro willingly and graciously