The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-27
that N. rule is followed as closely rs
THE El,I,s hill.
possible.

The Times thinks that it would be a
separate street-cars for whites and blacks
could be- provided Without Gripping the
operating companies impairing the SER.
vice. or discriminating unfairly against
either race. But can this be done? We
do not see Tow. II the companies are
now IN operation, large increase i'll mo-
tive power would be required, and the
cost of operation would be increased to
an extent that would in some cases prove
disastrous
To reduce the number OF cars in which
she whites may ride, would certainly
not do in the large cites where the
facilities are even now none too good, and
to give the y5hi.es a quicker or more
comfortable service than the colored peo-
pie would ba an unjust discrimination,
which -coutd not be defended in law or
morals
It has been proposed to require the COM
panies to attach a trailer to each car
operated, the trailer to be used for
colored passengers This would be some
thing of discrimination against the
other race, but there are other serious
objections. For one thing this would
also entail a considerable extra operating
cost on the companies, and it Is probable
that in some OF the smaller towns it would
be ruinous. Moreover, these train
cars have proven TO be most unsatisfac-
tory in some cites where they have been
tried Chicago is now crying out against
them and an ordinance has been intro
duced in the Council to abolish them. IN
commenting on the fact, the Chicago
Record says:
PROBABLY in no other city in the world
,.aS the practice OF running Street-cirS
in trains attained the offensive proper
tinus that it has reached an Chicago. III
Broadway in New York, where cvnoiuohs
are mucn dixie those in Chicago, cars are
run singly at regular Intervals. Inc dis-
advantages of the train system are many.
1t tends to obstruct the streets ana inter-
feres with traffic, Passengers are carried
past the crossing at wn4cn they W4sh 10
aligiIt. They are usually Competed 10
walk TO a car in the forward portion OF
the train if they desire q seat on boarding
it The train system tends to crowd the
rear car and to leave the forward cars
but partially filed Stopping ana start
ing long trains is much more difficult
than handling single cars. and moreover,
the Jar that is given to the cars ana tie
passengers is dlsagreeable ana hurtlul.
The operation of long trains necessltates
running them on schedule time, which
compels the gripmen to refuse 10 stop Oh
signal if the train has been Slightly de-
layeC While this saves the company
something in the way of wages Tor grip
men. it is exceedingly doubtful If IN the
long run it conserves even the flnanclai
interests of the company. 1t Sreatiy
tent.s to produce accidents. furLher-
more, trains of many cars cannot ne
stopped as promptly as single cars, ana
for this reason the number of casualties
nv collisions is increased. Besides these
and MANY more obvious disadvantages
10 the companies is the fact that the DIS
comfort occasioned TO passengers Dy liie
train system has made the pubic 1eel
that the companies deliberately disregard
the convenience of their patrons. Inns
l,elief has done much to create hoStln1E
tovdar1 the selfish policy OF the tractsoh
companies.
we are not writing in the interest OF
+1,e street-car companies, although they
have, rights which the Lawmakers must
resnert. We are writing in the interest
of the travelling public. Street-cars are
now a necessity in our domestic economy
and a quick, safe and comfortable ser
vice IS Imperative.
To cripple the companies were to i'm
nro,-e the service. and when that is done
the people will be the sufferers. ms 10
a matter in which the whole population
of the State are vitality interested and we
mt them on notice.