New-York tribune., 1901-06-03
STANDING UP IN OPEN CARS.
HOW PASSENGERS MAY PROTECT THEM
SELVES FROM INTRUDERS.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir. Since the open cars have reappeared on tha
street railways of Manhattan and Brooklyn this
year, have recalled with much interest the
scheme TO prevent Overcrowding which you de-
scribed in your SUNDAY Supplement, on April 7;
and beg leave to ask why the adoption Of the
same method employed by the English comrnuter
ticahle and proper here.
Ia English railway carriage the seats run
Crossways. just they do in our open streetcars
and in order to exclude additional passengers who
are willing to stand up. those already in a full
compartment said to use a 'jgger." This is a
slender metal rod. with a short hook or bend at
one end The -Jgger' is adjusted across the door
way TO the compartment (which is IN the side not
the end. Of the carr by the who sits nearest
10 the opening, end is kept in place while train
stops at way stations. In fact, it may be left in
place until the passengers wish TO alght.
Now, by z peculiarly fortunate provision Of na-
III =, our open streetcars are wonderfully well
adapted TO the use of the '-jigser" Along the
SIDE OF the stout. upright stanchions. or
posts, one ~ the end Of each seat Parallel with
AMI outside OF the starchious are rods. or hand
holds to facilitate entrance and exit. The hand
holds are secured to the stanchions by small brass
brackets one Of which is about foot higher than
the seats A of these brackets supports the
horizontal bar the left hand side OF the car.
which keeps people from getting on or off. on
the right hand side the bar is temporarily raised
OF sight. II the passenger who sits a the
outer end OF a full seat wishes 70 bar the way
other people. he has only extend a cane UNI
prelIa specially manufactured ''jigger'' far
enoUgh forward for one end to rest in the bracket
next ahead Of him. The other end he would keep
in his hand Tn" '.jIgger' wculd occupy nearly
horizontal position. Inasmuch the distance be-
tween stanChtOnS is about three feet and a walking
stick umbrella is scarcely long that. there
IS little danger OF the improvsed ''jigEer' reach
ing far enough forward to block til way 70 the
next seat in front. Any difficulty o. this may
be avoided 10y having the front end of the 'jigger
'urved hike a shepherds crook or bent merely at
a right angle This hook should be caught over
the supporting bracket. and then the stick drawn
backward as far II viii 90. II the fashion
we've once set. and jiggers came INTO popular use.
they could be bought for a cent or two each, and
he discarded the end OF the "trip. But cane
or umbrella with a suitably bent handle would
serve admirably.
OF course. the majority of people will want 20
consider the legal aspects OF such practice before
resorting IL. Well. il is said that the English
courts have decided ;hat a traveller has a right
TO protect himself in the enjoyment Of privileges
for which ne has paid II is doubtful whether
one woull be technically justified in refusing ad-
mission 10 a seat that was not full Again. as TO
sjectng intruder who had already forced his
way into the space in front of him. there may
possibly be question, although I have been
told that in England such a course has been sane
toned by the courts. But the policy which am
trance Of persons who would be obliged 20 stand
before be well within the limit or
lcw defined the other side Of the Atlantic
IL this position is sound il follows that neither
passenger who wishes to enter nor the conductor
has a right TO employ force in removing the Jig
ger lorg the is full. II he does so,
he would be guilty Of assault. breach OF The
peace and render himself liable 20 either civil
criminal suit md a policeman who ventured
to make arrest the conductors complaint
would be in danger Of prosecution for false m
PrisCnnent. Ii is highly desirable. though that
this question be formally tested and settled cy
American tribunals. With a little organization
and canvaSsing. / believe that sum of money
much greater than would he necessary TO cover the
expenses of such legal contests could be raised IN
a few days ! would myself subscribe anywhere
rom s. to $50 for that purpose. am conhdeht
that the railway companies would be beaten II they
dared - make fight And the battle once woH:
there would nevSr he more standing up IN Irohe
OF seated passengers in open ears.
No protection from the evil here complained or is
To he expected from the railway companies. They
Indifferent to criticism and protest The peo-
lle must take the matter into their own hands
dulge1 ill., This should be sCruDulously avoided
One would merely protect himself in the enjoy
ment of his legal rights by purely peaceful means
He would also be champOning his mother, wife.
sister. children and neIghhors and thus be mani
Testing the highest form of patriotism The Amer
lean people to-day submit 10 tyranneS more ot1eh.
sive than those of the days % George III or OK
modern Russia. Yet hey might be freed there
from by a thOuSandth part Of the brains and co1r-
age of Revolutionary times Fll.tIhlN
New-YOrk. NAV 30. 1901.