New-York tribune., 1902-10-25
CAR NUISANCE PROTEST.
WOMEN AIR THEIR GRIEVANCES BE
FORE THF ALDERMEN.

Clubwornen occupying aIderrnanic seats were one
Of the unusual sights in City Hall yesterday- ne
women Of the various societies were hNl'eu 70
listen 10 10 speak the resolution introduced
by Alderman James TO compel the Metropolitan
Railroad Company TO run more cars between the
hours Of A. m and p m, and 10 aoa'e lne
nuisance Of standing in open cars Dlghlleo aIde'
men peered curioUsly from the committee room al
the women as they made vigorous their protests
against the unseemly. indecent and unhea''iliui
conditions Of surface travelling"
The aldermanic railroad committee was composer
OF John Diemer chairman, and Nessrs. Maler
Owens. Klett and Downey. but the railroad onnclais
were conspicuous by their absence
Miss Helen Varick Boswell. Of the West End
Women's Republican Association, was the hrst 10
speak III advocacy Of the resolution ohe said TINS
was a time when only women's rights out
their wrongs. Were to be aired that the imposition
OF the railroad company in not providing adequate
service was not only source Of inconvenience ana
discomfort TO those women whose duties or pleas
ures took them abroad after rush hours out the
question had reached the point where il had be-
come a matter Of lecency. good manners ana
health
Mrs Sydney Resented. secretary Of the Health
Protective Association, spoke Of the lnenecuVe
efforts made by her society in conference with the
railroad officials remedy the existing evil She
suggested that there should be larger cars such as
are used in Boston where the congested conditions
are worse than in New-York, and that the alder
men should compel the company to provide seats
poration was touched. she thought. there would be
no relief before the millennium
Miss Theresa BarcaIow brought smiles 20 the
aldermanic faces when she related her personal
experiences Of having fat drop suddenly into
her lap Not that I blame them" said she. Sc
renely, FOR who be decorous in bobolnS
about car. with not a strap TO hold to?'
Mrs Ravenhiel denounced the railroad as a
heartless soulless corporation" which only the
strong hand of the aldermen could curb. and
which needed public opinion comfort
Mrs Ralph 1rautmann. president Of the Health
Protective Association said she felt compelled 10
differ with her colleague. because she had dis
covered that the souls OF the company could be
touched by complaints Her protest against the
conductors step lively business" had brought
forth fruits that she sometimes para
/ lived with evidences of poteness the part
! OF employees (One listener was heard 10 say in a
/ low tone To stop this didn't the sordid
: company anything in dollars and centsO Mrs
I sire 70 antagoniZe the railroad but wished 70 co
operate in bringing about better conditions
/ Mrs. Harriet Ostrom advocated separate cars
/ for women out of rush hours, and was immedl,
ately 'squelched' by sister member, who said
! such a suggestion decidedly impractical
I Mrs. John Stanton appealed TO the manhood oi
the aldermen 70 save their wives, daughters ano
/ especially aged mothers. from the Disgusting
/ Crowding in the cars
Alderman James spoke his resolution giving
ordinance compelling the Metropolitan Street
/ Railroad Company. in view OF its valuable fran
fort He said it had no conscience except for
profit. and would do nothing until public opinion
I or the aldermen compelled IT,
Among the other women present. representing
different clubs We're Mrs William Lraiton' is. Mts
Bd%ara d. Lee h9las MI Mrs coud
| Mrs. A. Place. Mrs. John Francis Barry Mrs
E Y Beers Miss Draper and nd. Miss RUBY Bees s.
I executive meeting OF the aldermen