New-York tribune., 1901-09-08
PROUD COMMUTERS In JERSEY.
SOME LIVE IN THE COUNTRY FRON CHOICE, WHILE OTHERS
ARE FORCED TO DO SO FOR ECONOMY


In the minds Of many people commuter and
mosquito have long been synonymous with New
Jersey Il would be difficult to say which has
done the most 10 spread the fame Of the fair
State Perhaps the mosquitoes must be given
the first place for they lived in Jersey before
the commuters. and outside scoffers say that
insects just like them can he found nowhere
else On the other hand. il may be argued that
the mosquito was not original with New-Jer-
sey while the commuter was. However one
decides the question Of supremacy, the fact re-
mains that there have been commuters in Jer-
sey ever since the railroads began TO sell
monthly tickets. and that there are more of
them to be found there than in any other section
Of the country
Unfortunately history does not tell just when
Jerseymen began to commute 10 and from New
York II was before the days Of steam ferry
boats. The Oldest cOmmuter in the running TO-
day cannot throw much light on the subject.
They were committing when 1 first began 70
travel 10 and from New-York' he said, shak-
ing his gray head. That was years and years
ago How long before that? Who can tell?"
Some Of the Jersey commuters have been at
IL since childhood. Their children, and, indeed,
in some cases their children's children. COM
muting Like as not education came TO many
Of them through a communication ticket The
practice Of committing is ancient and honorable,
and nobody in Jersey ever laughs at il. That
part Of the State which is not more than thirty
miles from this city owes a large percentage
Of its population 10 st. Some towns. indeed.
would never have been laid out II it had not
been FOR the low rates and the multitude Of
trains which make committing easy.
There are just two kinds of commuters in
Jersey" said one Of the gatemen at the Hoboken
station Of the Lackawanna Railroad, man who
rla far
wants 10 live in the country, the other has to
do so"
7 don't quite understand" ventured the re-
porter. Il thought that every one who COM
muted from Jersey liked it, yet YOU say some
OF them have to do so. If it is against their
will what law is there 20 make them keep it
up?"
The laws Of economy said the gateman.
They have 10 live in the country because rent
and living are cheaper than in the city. They
are the kind Of people who have TO think about
such things; 10 economic in order 10 get along
You would never think so 10 talk with one Of
them" said the reporter He calls his Jersey
home his country place, speaks Of IT as a sort Of
paradise on earth. and commiserates a chap for
having 10 live in an apartment or fat in the
city"
1t is pride that makes him do that nothing
but pride" said the in uniform. He hates
20 live in the country. just because he knows
that he couldn't afford 10 live in the city if he
wanted 10 do so"
Here comes a good example Of the have TO-
type ha continued, pointing to a carelessy
dressed ,~.'a who as approaching. Notice the
hard ilaea 81 his face he has 10 work like slave
for ten or twelve hours a day in a hot Office or
behind a busy counter. He is not receiving
large a salary as he deserves and he knows it.
That makes him sour and sore al the world in
general He could hardly be persuaded TO laugh
al a joke. no matter how good it was"
Well. that is hard luck story; are there
many Of them?"
Here comes the other type" continued the
gatenan without answering the question. You'll
notice that he's smiling. He is glad TO get into
the country again. He has worked hard during
the day, perhaps as hard as the other man, but
he's working for himself and getting rich. His
carriage will meet him at the depot and drive
him 10 a fine country home. In the evening he
can go 10 the country clubhouse and talk over
gofng scores or hunting trips"
The Lackawanna brakemen have slightly diff
ferent ideas regarding commuter types
There are only two kinds" one Of them said
positively. lickers' and them what don't
kick don't how you're going TO write
story about them, though. for they've been
licking the same old kicks for the last seven
teen years 10 my personal knowledge. They
have not stopped for breath even"
can you tell Jersey commuter from one
who comes from another section OF the coun-
try2' Lackawanna conductor was asked
Sure can" he replied In winter by the
Jersey mud upon their heels and in summer by