Sunday Washington globe., 1902-04-27
The Rise and Progress Of the Com.
mnter.


muter
The cartoonists have so often represented
the commuter as a package laden, swift
footed individual fastening with breakneck
speed and flying coat tails over a stony road
to catch his car, that the mere mention of
his name is apt to bring up facetious
thoughts. The fun that has been poked at
him, however. has not discouraged his
activities for his tribe is still increasing.
The career of the mirth inspiring commu-
ter began when the railroads first offered
reduced rates to persons daily travelling to
and fro over the same routes for consider
able periods of time. People then learned
that they could indulge their desire for
suburban and rural homes, and at the same
time be present at their places of business
in the nearby cities during Office hours.
They found that they could have the advan
tages of cheaper rents and lower living ex.
penses 50 as to more than balance the cost
of transportation. During the era of horse
cars, which were too slow for the hustling
commuter, he had to domicle himself along
the lines of steam railways, and his villages
of "Lonelyvilie" and "Louesomehurst,
which used to furnish such fertile themes
for the fun makers were then seen only
along the borders of this species Of highway
Thriving villages thus sprung up along
the Metropolitan Branch Of the Baltimore
and Ohio toward Rockville, and along the
railroads leading to Baltimore and those
leading into Virginia. The numerous lines
Of electric roads that have sprung up about
Washington in recent years, have greatly
multiplied the opportunities Of the ever
vigillant commuter, and added much to the
JOY of his existence by giving him an al
most bewildering choice of location.
He has abundantly availed himself of
these advantages by erecting buildings of
all kinds, from the toy-like habitation with
its adiuncts OF poultry and pigeon houses,
to the elegant villas of those Of his species
who are able to surround themselves with
costly luxuries.
This movement made possible and desir-
able by the various means of rapid trans
portation and rapid communication by
telephone which have multiplied in recent
years, is having a more far reaching effect
on the social life and manners of the Ameri.
can people than is at first apparent
II brings the rural and urban population
In closer contact, and gives great numbers
Of our people the educational advantages of
both country and city life. AT such a rate
Is rapid and cheap transportation spreading
over the country that in few years the
countryman need no longer be a mere
rustic, since he will come in daily contact
with the city commuteT, his nearest neigh
Dor and willing tutor and model. The com
muter himself will no longer exhibit that
deplorable ignorance Of country sights and
sounds, which It is to be feared is too often
the characteristic OF the city hermit, and
the bucolic party who walks in the middle
Of the street looking up at the high build
ings with open-eyed wonder, will be such a
yara avis that he may indeed be considered
negligible quantity.
The swift march of rapid transportation
and communication Is an advantage on
which all the sons and daughters of Uncle
Sam may we'll congratulate themselves, as
II gives them great opportunities Of seeing.
knowing and learning from one another
1t will thus be seen that we owe a debt Of
gratitude to the picturesque commuter for