The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1900-02-04

strict disqualification and a fine business
man. And from a business point of view he
couldn't see why his wife and children
shouldn't hand the conductor regular tick
cts, just The same as other passengers.
The late Captain Btrdsong, one of the
veteran conductors of the Richmond,
Fredericksburg and Potomac, a thorough
gentleman and one beloved by all who
knew MIN, told me this: "You know Ma
Jaro Myers is mighty kind man but very
strict and firm. Well. sir. will tell you a
characteristic thing that happened recently.
l knew that members of the majors family
never Travelled on passes. But his wife
and two young ladies Who were visiting
her got on the train at Richmond and got
of at Ashland, only sixteen miles distant.
L didn't go to them for fare You see 1t
was spch a short ride. thought 1t would
be all light not to ask Mrs. Myers and
her guests for fare took the authority
to sheW the wife of the president of the
company that compliment In a week or
two 1passed these ladies again and third
time passed them Mrs. Myers, 1t seems,
mentioned the matter at home, thinking it
was all right. AS a result Major Myers
called me before him and asked IL l didn't
Know gIere were no head-heads On his
family. tod him l did, but that 1
Thought few trips to Ashland wouldn't
count. lie then gave me gentle repr-
mand and told me that such a thing must
never occur again. He ascertained from
me the number of times they mad ridden
between Richmond and Ashland without
, paying and went forthwith to the ticket
office. bought the full number of tickets
ana handed them to me to be punched and
turned in to the author. Yes, the major
ds stiict, but You don't find any Better
men In this world.
Majority Turned Down
I frequently dropped into the office of
General Passenger Agent Harry Fuller.
One day l asked Mr.. Fuller's chief clerk,
w. s. Bronson, If he had many applica-
tons for passes. He said he had a good
many but that the majority of them We're
turned down.
You see," said Bronson, passes are not
given away like they used to be. A person
getting pass now must have some defin-
lite, valid calm. That is, the reason for is
suing the pass must be good, business like
reasons. You would zoe surprised at the
number of cheeky persons who ask for
passes, but who are in no wise entitled
TO them.
Here is a very recent case" continued
bronson, "A we'll known naIberdasher here
IN this city called TO see me and requested
me TO give him a pass from Washington
to Hot Springs, Va, and return He
Knew | had Mr.. F'uiler's pass book ION
What grounds do you ask it, Mr."
on, well, | want it just on general
principles. You trade at my store and
sSN s'4S =" SOOu lTlSHu VI illne, the ndDer-
dasaer replied
Yes, it is true like you and am a Gus
toner OF yours. But l pay you your price
for everything l buy. The shoe is on the
other foot. But whether it were so or not
cannot give you a pass"
The man looked suIgrised and sour
"Well, you certainly can make me a half
rate as special favor" he said
Il cannot; ri you wait to go to Hot
springs you must pay the regular fare.
My haberdasher friend,"' said Bronson.
represented scores of unreasonable men
VINO still apply every month to this Office
Tor passes. They don't seem to learn that
the pass-book is no longer freely used.
Nnen L first began railroading a general
passenger agents chief clerk could give
away passes to whom he chose He issued
them with almost as free a hand as the
president of the road. But that day is
past-gone forever. Every fellow is held
70 strict account. When issue a pass
from this book the, reason for 1t must be
professionally valid from the view point
OF business economy and the view point
TOO, OF the new 'cut-down pass policy
NO one thinks OF opposing the present
poncy relating to passes. Every intelligent
person appreciates the fact that 1t is not
only unbusiness-like, but absurd for rail-
ROAD companies ito give some timing for
nothing. And that is what they would he
doing if they had not checked the free
pass abuse.