Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-08
Hogs at, Large.
From the New York Herald.


Most of the annoyances of our street cars
apart from the inevitable erowding-are
caused by the inconsiderateness and gross
discourtesy of passengers. A stranger who
would judge people by his experience upon
transit lines would set us down for a COM
munity of Doors. AS any one who has a
nickel may ride, one must expect to occa-
sionally encounter persons Of rough man.
ners and from whom no amenity is ex
pected But these are few. The most nu-
merous and chief offenders are well-dressed
men-and women, too-who look as II they
should know how to behave in civilized So
ciety and who would resent the suggestion
that their conduct Is an offense to decent
people.
The splitter. thank heaven. has been near
ly suppressed. Now let us get after the
well-dresSed hobo who rests his dirty boots
upon seat. which Is presently to be occu
pied by some daintily attired woman in
summer gown or crosses his legs. leaving
his feet projecting across the narrow floor
for all who pass to step over or stumble over.
Abolish the fellow who takes the crowded
street car for manicure parlOr and re-
lieves the tedium Of travel by pairing his
nails. Let the fat man who spreads out
his legs into the aisle like a big be re-
minded that there are others in the car.
Give gentle tap to the gentleman" who
and. looking out Of the window or reading
his paper. forgets that he Is occupying
space for two while others stand. and that
his back is squarely presented to the lady
sitting next him.
And while we are about 1t let US take in
hand the men who. when they enter a
closed car stand just inside the door and
compel later Corners including women, to
fight their way through the dense group to
reach unoccupied space in the middle of the
THESE
lows who, getting into the narrow seat Of
an open car. do not move to the opposite
end. but plant themselves barely inside the
bar and force other passengers to drag past
as best they may to reach the inner seats
WOmen-well dressed. well-to-do looking
women-are among the most inconsderate
and discourteous Of our street car travellers.
For instance, the conductor Is inside when
one of these women boards a car; gentle
man standing On the platform. opens the
door to permit her to enter; not once In ten
times is the attention acknowledged by a
nod. and when a passenger relinquishes a
seat to one of these women she founces
into 1t without the slightest recognition Of
the courtesy One Of these women will
keep child-for which she has paid no
fare-occupying seat and standing with
soiled shoes upon 1t to look out Of the win
dow. while an aged and feeble woman dl.
rectly in front Of her is left to stand and
totter
II the selfish and the ill-behaved men and
women above noted could be taught by re-
Election or compulsiop, ito have little kind
ly consideration for the Fights and feelings
Of others. more than half the discomforts
and annoyances Of travel upon our street
cars would disappearsnfeIs
We may have forbeafance with a con-
ductor who has beer ba tered and banged
and wrought up by forcing his way through
crowded interiors all day7or climbing along
a footboard struggling with drunken men
and insulted by irritable passengers Of both
sexes. but there is no excuse for the de-
liberate and brutal lack of courtesy among
such passengers as are above described.