The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-19
FREE SLEEPING CARS.
a Measure That Would Be Very Popu
lar IL Practicable


" The Roanoke Times editor discusses
Representative Moody.s bill for free sleep
ing cars, and While endorsing the scheme
regards it as impracticable. The Times
says: Representative Moody. OF Massa-
chusetts has introduced oil at Washing
ton which will no doubt De received with
delight by the country at large, or that
part Of the country's population that has
occasion to use the railroads at night. Mr..
AIoody's bill requires that all Interstate
railroads which carry passengers during
the night in day cars shall allow such
passengers to have sleeping berths il said
day cars. Where the roads do not wish
to attend to the matter themselves they
shall give contracts and let outside parties
equip cars used on night trains and pro-
vide so as to make these people comfort
able, so that whatever prejudice or partial
ity there may be on the part OF the rail
road managers they shall have no power
nor assume any power to deprive the pas
sengers of their right to have the cheapest
possible accommodations or the latest i'm
orovements.
No preferences shall be allowed to any
particular person, arm OF corporation. It
may be that some time in the dim future
mans ingenuity will evolve q scheme by
which the travelling public may be able to
save the 80 Pullman fare and still have a
place to sleep, but conditions do not now
present much encouragement. The ordt-
nary day coach could hrrdly be converted
into a sleeping without reducing its
capacity one-half and imposing 4 burden
Of larger trains upon the railroads.
1t is true that the picture Mr.. Moody
calls to mind of the weary passenger tied
in double knot on the seat, turning and
twisting to relieve bsnunbed limbs
swearing inUardly at open doors and loud
talking ncorSiderate feliow-travelers, IS
enc that is, alas. all too familiar TO those
who either cannot afford the doubtfuly
luxurious comfort of sleeper, or prefer
to forego it to pay hotel bills at the other
end of the ride. When one sits noddins
In day coach with his knees brnced
against the back Of the seat In front ana
the air from the cracks In the window
toying gently with the love locks on the
back OF his neck. while the ptuful waiting
OF colic-strIcken infants smttes upon tue
ear in soul-disturbing cadence and the
voice OF the brakeman as he filings VIDE
taa door calling out the name of stations
fiv the way. when one sits thus and fee!S
the sieeper's cramp come creeping upward
from his toes and realizes that paralysis
must follow further inact!on, s.len 1t IS
that he cannot love his nes!ibor AZ. him
self or say that not a wave OF trouble
rolls across his peaceful brow.
Ever and anon some poet preacher.
scientist or statesman bursts from the
body polite and flies meteor like athwart
the sky OF popular observation He has
touched upon responsive chords in mar
kinds heart. revealed closer knowledge
Of hu1nan nature and UP be goes. He be-
comes a hero.
How many fail in his undertaking. but
the glory CT the hcu, belongs TO him
S,,ch an one is Moody. May he live long
and may his shadow never grow less
The reform that he advocates WILL now
ever. probably never become active Until
long after he has ceased to make
shadow. or has gone among the shades
for good.