The Washington times., 1905-03-04
Fight in the Interest of
Motormen Meets With
Success.
PROTECTION IN WINTER
Representative Pou Graft
fled That Measure Is
Now a Law.

The President signed yesterday
afternaen the Pou bill requiring the
street railway companies OF the Dis
triet to Nestibule all their cars by
next November for the protection of
TIE Eetermen.
The campaign which The Times, its
friends. and Representative Pou OF
Norta Carolina. waged for this hu-
name law is crowned with complete
success
The motormen.. on whom depend the
safety and ready transportation of the
eitizeps of the District. will be pro-
tected from the bitter cold Of winter
Muscles will. not be nunbed into
paralysis by freezing weather. To the
quick exercise OF strength will be
added the resourcefulness OF wits un-
haFassed by physical suffering.
History OF the Law.
The history OF the enactment OF the
Pou bin into law by the Congress of
the United States shows the justice
on which the campaign for the reform
wssas based. Only q few weeks ago
The Times began its hght for protec-
ton for the motormen. and Represen-
tatise Pou pushed his bill for pas
sage.
He obtained favorable report on
.
District of Columbia. Soon thereafter
II PASSED the House.
Mr. Pou then secured the help ef
Senators GallingeF and Simmons and
gao the measure passed by the Sena te,
The President signed the bill yester-
trtet.
May Form a Precedent.
Not-only this but It is an act by
Congress which. it is claimed by those
interested in the matter will go a long
way toward influencing the Legisla-
lures OF many States TO pass laws OF
a similar character
On all sides, in and out of Congress,
1t has been lauded and praised. Mr.
Pou and The Times nave been con
graIulated for their goed work in the
matter by the citizens Of the District
an6 by member of Congress-
The bill pissed Congress- and WIS
=sigi-ed by tbs President without dis.
senfins.s voice raised against it This n
- for refoiIa biil.
What Mr.. Pou Says.
Mr.. Pou. in spealzing of the bill to q
Tint reporter. said today:
Or course 1 am grati1ed that my bill
is now a law and / appreciate very much
the expressions of gratitude which /
have received from the motormen Of
this ely.
Mex. winter we will not be forced
TO see these men standing at their posts
Of duty in the freezing rains and the
cutting winds
Il wish TO acknowledge the assistance.
OF Chairman Babcock ard Mr. Sims os
the House District Committee, and Sen
ators Gai.inger and Simmons. Of the
Scr.ste District Committee.
The inotoCalan occupies the most i'm
portant position in the entire street car
service and ne should be made as com
fortab.e as possible in the performance
sf his dific'llt dtties.
II am informed that the passage Of
Fly hin nay have q favorable effect up
on legisf1ticE IF this character penGtaE
before the legislatures of some OF rhe'
St"tcs. shall feel that / am fortunate.
indeed. If II any degree my bill IS IN
striiTrental IN influencing legislation or
the same character outside OF the Dis
trict of Columbia.
II cannot understand how anyone car
disncte the necessity for this legislation
In States whore street car companies ar.
forcing their men TO operate their c4rs
on open platforms unprotected from in
element weather.
such = prGctice in my judgment. is
nothing Jess thar cruel
THE Times is 10 bc congra tulated ru-
on the position ii has taken respecting
this legislation -