New-York tribune., 1902-05-11
THE OPEN CAR QUESTION.

With the arrival of mild weather and the pro-
gressive substitution of open cars for closed
cars on the surface railroad lines Il question
which is annually discussed from May to No
vember comes into sight again. Is 1t practi-
cable. when the seats in an open ear are filled
TO keep persons from getting aboard in order to
stand in the spaces between them? That the
room thus used is essential to the comfort OF
seated passengers must be universally admit
ted That those who occupy it are intruderS, on
whom the company can confer no valid claim, is
commonly asserted. though are not aware
that the courts have either sustained or rejected
that view of the matter. In hot weather the
standing passengers cause actual distress 10
those behind them. and in many cases the re-
sulting physical contact is wellnigh intolerable,
even though it may not be. as 1t not infrequent-
ly is, a calculated affront 1t is certain that
there are communities in which such things
would not be borne. but il is contended that in
New-York they are unavoidable, public opinion
recognizing conditions which the transportation
companies would be powerless TO remedy even
if they wanted 10.
That is the official representation OF the Met
ropolitans president Mr.. Yreeland is on rec
ord as saying that if conductor should refuse
10 admit a man to a car wher the seats were
full rOtOus proceedings would ensue and the
conductor would be mauled half to death on
general principles that position is untenable
the New-York public being astonshingly pa
tient and long suffering. Moreover there are
specific facts in abundance to refute the hy-
pOthesis. Under instructions his conductors
have never hestated. whenever 1t suited the
convenience of the company to withdraw a
before it had reached its regular destination. TO
turn the passengers out, whatever the weather
that account, nor has any conductor ever been
afraid OF anything worse than verbal assault.
1t is therefore foolish to assume that in conse-
quence of far less arbitrary proceeding a con-
ductor would be subjected to harsh treatment.
If rule were adopted forbidding persons to
stand in open cars, those already seated would
gladly assist the conductor TO maintain their
rights, which in that case would be clear. and
no violence would result. except in occasional
isolated instances.
The question remains whether public opinion
would heartily approve regulation interfering
TO some extent with that passion for getting
there" at the earliest possible moment which
is supposed TO be characteristic Of Americans
Doubtless that is debatable question. on which
there has thus far been no chance to get light.
The transportation managers naturally like TO
believe that such restriction would cause far
more complaint than satisfaction for that as
sumption can be used TO Justify their methods
Their policy is to operate. for the sake OF econ
omy. the least possible number of cars There
is good reason to think that at the height of the
rush hours they might operate more without
much loss Of running time though they assert
the contrary and il is indisputable that at other
hours they deliberately lengthen the intervals
between cars so as TO produce altogether un-
necessary overcrowdng. This is just accusa-
ton, and because the management is guilty as
charged the public feels great hesitation in ac-
cepting its assertions as TO other features of the
case. We do not look for speedy settlement
of the open car question, and, in fact scarcely
hope for satisfactory settlement at any time
But the subject is an interesting one and it is
well to have the discussion kept up.