New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-16
COnurTERS AND FREIGHT.

The official explanations of the Erie Rnlroad
concerning the need of sidetracking indefinitely
some twenty-five suburban trains confirm a
view we have long held rs TO the relation OF
commuters to freight. The Erie Railroad, III
drawing invdous comparisons between its
commuters and its freight, insinuates that the
former cannot be regarded as asspecial priYl-
legged class, but must rank with other nova
bles and compete with the same. Acting upon
this classification. the Erie finds that committing
freight pays So n car, while vulgar, insensate'
one trip freight pays $50; the logic Of the sit
uation is therefore clear-the cOmmuter must
lose his human status.
Many will be disposed to rail at the company
for its discrimination against humanity. But
we are inclined to side with il because IN IT'S
latest edict we an act of charity and states
manship. The COmmuter. after ALL is the party
most benefited by the innovation. for. being
now officially in competition with freight, he
must meet the latter on its own ground, or,
more exactly in it's own bOXcar This will
mean no small victory for the cOmmuter, we
surmse. So far as handling and prompt deliv-
cry concerned, the advantage hitherto has
always been with ordinary freight. The secret
schedule of the octOpodal railways has classl-
fed all freight under three heads in order Of
importance-express goods (perishable) marked
Rush,! and This side up with care; Ordi-
and commuters surviving powers negligihleI
marked Easy" and allowed to travel un'ratcd.
The simple minded public has been unable to
recognize in this classification the tremendously
unfair discrimination against itself. 1t has let
the petty privileges of red plush seats, sun
light and unlimited CRIME divert it from the inn
pOrtant one namely. prompt delivery ut des-
unation in unchanged condition. The Erie
Railroad, moved by humanitarian conscience,
see where their highest interests lie, fee the
seductive suburban train and take shelter under
the broad roof Of the boxCar. with the option of
n fatcar during the summer months. Every
cOmmuter from on will be instructed to
furnish his own excelsior and packing ease.
learn his car number and the rules Of freight
packing. and acquire skill in curling up costly
in sawdust and shavings. As a single freight
car can accommodate AT least two hundred well
Grated commuters. gentlemen will not have 10
pay more than three four times as much for
this improved transportation as they now pay
for plush seat cars.
Viewed from truly liberal point of view. TIE
arrangement is eminently fair 1t protects the
traveller from the noise dirt and vapid con
versation that mar the pleasure of old fashioned
passenger travelling; 1t does away with the
possibility OF panics and mad stampedes in case
of collision or fire and it gives the commuter
some hope of being translated as promptly aud
rapidly as his groceries. shoes and other prop
critics are. The only objection one can raise
against II IS that 1t takes a materialiStic view
Of human nature. But philosophy and finance
cannot be expected TO preach the same gospel.
so long as the latter keeps the railway prob
lem out Of metaphysics, Incidentally. we would
call the readers attention to the Scrptural prec-
edent for the Erie's action: the carrying "a
paclty OF the New Jerusalem. as given In
Revelation, is computed cubically. like that Of
the boxcar. This may spare the corporation
much criticism at the hands of the spiritually
minded