The Washington times., 1905-05-26
FRIDAY, MAY 26. 1905.
TTansfers-To Lauqhland.


washington has proved that it is
the most solemn village on the face
OF the earth. For some days about
half the cars in the District have
been provided with mirth-provolxing
Notice, but no one laughed; per-
haps, the explanation is to be found
in the fact that no one ever notes no
tices; yet that notice is funny beyond
belief. It reads:
NOTICE.
In obedience to an order of the Su-
prene Court Of the District of Column
bla. Issued upon the application of
Jonn +. Shea and other minority stock
MoiaeTs OF the CITY and Suburban Rail-
way Of Washington, the said City and
Suburban Railway of Washington will
not. on and after June l. 1905, receive
transfers issued by any other street
ALAN L. McDERMoTT.
Receiver, City and Suburban Railway
To mitigate the conditions which
necessarily result from the above-men-
TONED decree of the court, the Wash
ington Railway & Electric Company
and the Anacostia & Potomac River
Railroad Company have decided to ac-
cept the customary transfers from the
City and Suburban Railway. This ae-
ton is solely in the public interest, and
panies desire to do everything legally
possible TO maintain the liberal transfer
system which has been in operation for
more than four years.
ALLAN l. McDERMOTT,
President. Washington Railway & Elec-
trie Co.
Anacostia & Potomac River R. R. Co.
May 20. 1895
Since the deleetabIe days of Pooh
Bah there has been no humor to ap-
proach this in solemn majesty and
protean character. It rises almost TO
the dignity of Curran's wittieisims-
il has much Of their pungency It just
bubbles over with mirth and jollity
It is a pearl of purest ray serene, cast
before-let US say-end-seat swine.
In the first place, at the top of the
poster, Mr.. McDermott is the submis-
sive and obedient receiver of the
court for the City and Suburban Rail-
way; at the bottom he dons the more
gracious and becoming habiliments of
a free-born American citizen and cor
porate officer, consumed by an aching
desire to benefit the dear public.
What MIR. McDermott reeftes by rote.
under the order Of the court, in Act [,
is eclipsed by the breadth of treat
ment and artistic feeling displayed in
Act II, where his histrionic abilities
have some scope.
Truly, there is not only good humor
in this Notice but literature of
high and noble character. When
Mr.. MeDermott speaks as the court
receiver it is in an humble and sub
missive tone, towit: In obedience to
an order" he cannot give transfers.
When he speaks in his own person
and as president of sundry railways,
he has the gravity pertaining to all
civic functionaries: ITO mitigate
now, isn't that a good word ?-he can
and will give transfers.
All fine humor is deeper than words.
however, and the cream of this joke
can only be skinned after allowing it
to settle awhile On and after June
/, 1906, you can ride into town for
one fare, but you may stay here till
you rot unless you pay two fares to
get out again!
1t would take volumes in folio to
exhaust the humorous possibilities of
this delightful Jell d'esprit from the
pen of Allan L. McDermott, Represen-
tative in Congress, ETC.; Receiver, etc. !.
President. etc; Litterateur, etc. Al
present, however, merely note the
basis of his presidential action:
This action is solely in the public
interest, and is taken because the ac-
cepting companies desire TO do every
thing legally possible to maintain the
literal transfer system which has
been in force for more than four
years"
OF course, if there be no statute re-
quiring free transfers from connect
ing lines, then the receiver of the
court must do what he is told to do;
and. OF course, free corporations need
never recognize the existence of the
statutes so long as the generosity of
their hearts prompts them 10 do just
what the statutes command.
ri D-EIo