New-York tribune., 1902-05-13
HURTING THE CITY'S NAME.
CROwDING OF OPEN CARS GIVES NEW
YORK A BAD REPUTATION.

From all sides The Tribune is receiving words
of commendation for its stand the question
of the Overcrowding of the open street cars.
The nuisance of late years has been so generally
felt by thousands of citizens of this city that
the agitation awakens keen interest on all sides
To remedy the existing evil is a difficult prob
lem, The Tribune has pointed out editoriaIly.
1t is one that offers many different aspects. but,
difficult it is. the open car" grievance has
become too widely felt TO be allowed longer 10
pass in silence. 1t is affecting the reputs-
tion of the city
How just this last assertion is may be gath
cred from the following editorial from The
Boston Transcript:
The New-York Tribune has interviewed promi-
ntnt street railway othcial. who informs u that
Ihls State ot Things cannot be helped @ SrdihahCes
would give no relief he says, and conductor can
be IN only one place at time, while the whole
only remedy that he suggest is the education
OF the pH6IT; The educatoa OF the New-i Td 10TH ORR
sideraton for others is so hopeless task that the
Fortunately Boston people have already attained
to that standard Of education, or rather they have
vail in New-York. We have crowded open cars
ing is not done in that uncor Portable and positive
ly indecent way characteristic of the metropolis
discomfort. The running boards frequently run;
ming over: but In spite OF the temptation ana ana
dertAke 10 force himself in between the seats. We
than other cities. but public sentiment sufcient
to. regulate the matter The women are ne great
est sufferers when such a rush taxes placS. IN
fact New-York open ear during the heavy hours
1t may be that the street railway companies of
New-York and their employees need educating quite
mulch the patrons. and perhaps more motor
iected from the ranks Of the hoodlums. and have
brought ali their vicious qualities and coarse, inso
lent manners with them: They are generally as
in intelligence and conduct TO the same class OF
riding with them means fighting their way In the
long run good order and comfortable service de-
than upon those who ride upon them
So sweeping a condemnation of this city may
seem unjustihed. and it certainly is to some ex-
tent Those who recall the rush hours in the
Park-st. station of the Subway in Boston. who
are familiar with the moment of frantic chaos
when car comes in and there is a tempestuous
charge for seats. may question whether. after
all, the same general spirit does not animate
New-York and Boston crowds alike. Be this as
it may this city has attained an unenviabl and,
to some extent. not deserved reputation among
its neighbors. The remedy for this lies in the
obviating of the evils, rather in the instituting
of comparisons.
Not merely in editorial columns. however, has
The Tribune's stand been noticed. From many
sources suggestions, concentrations and sympa-
thetic approval of The Tribune's attitude have
been received. The following a few selec
tions from the mail.
Sir: 1 beg TO submit suggestion concerning THIS
nuisance OF crOwdng in the open streetcarS OF
New-York / venture 70 predict that the plan
would be effective
Let an ordinance be passed making IL misde-
meanor for the corporation in control 70 collect
fare from a passenger who is unseated and who
is unable 10 get a Let the offence be punish
able A fine Of SO. one-harf 10 go to the person
reporting II. Let II also be made an offence 20
board a when suitable indication IL given
that more passengers are desired. IT the
powers that be- sincere In the claim that
they simply wish 10 accommodate the public IN
permitting said public to stand on the feet Of their
neighbors and occasionally fall into the laps or
seated and women. why. make them carry
that class for nothing whenever they inclined
to show their sltruistic spirit in practical way
But give them the power 20 exclude surplus pas
sengers At their pleasure NV impression is that
/ IL the corporation get fares from standing
passengers they will soon discover way 20 avoid
Crowding these Conveya5Ces. What do YOU think
of it? ONE OF THE 'DOWNTRODDEN-
%ew-York. May To- 1852
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Strikes. volcanic eruptions. corona tons. high
beef etc are but passing events. the men and
women who stand in front of us In the open cars
eternal
II has occurred to that slightly slopng floor
would render such standing impossible. and would
not interfere with the inCTess egreSS OF passen
I gers. / have had time TO work out idea
/ but send the 1rSt sketch | attempted II will show
chiefly my ignorance of the side elevate Of
streetcar hut 7 send II hoping person who
knows something may pass Judgment upon il.
ONE OF THE TRAMPLED UPON
New-YOrk May To- 1902.