The Washington herald., 1909-03-21
WASHINGTON STREET CARS

At times the Washington street car re-
| sembles a moving van. Only the other
day man got on the Mount Pleasant car
with a six-shelf bookcase He had hard
ly arranged his awkward piece OF furni-
ture on the rear platform before another
passenger got on with a large brass cue
tain pole. a tabourette. and an empty
mineral water bottle. all of which he in
sisted upon carrying inside the car, much
to the discomfort Of the other occupants
Some men do not seem to have any
sense Of pride or consideration for other
people Sets of books from Shakespeare,
twelve volumes. TO the Encyclopedia Bri-
tannica ''in twenty-five massive volumes, .
are carried on the cars almost daily.
Bundles of laundry and the week
washing in large baskets are almost In
variably carried on the front platforms
OF cars. and the washerwomen would con-
slider it as working a severe hardship
against them If the company should re-
fuse to permit them TO crowd up the pas
sageways.
One Evening at the Union Station a
japanese struggled into the car with three
enormous suit cases which were closely
related 10 small trunks. Right AT his
heels followed cOlored man with two
sacks OF potatoes. four live chickens on a
string. and an ash sitter.
There certainly seems to be no limit to
the character and quantity OF a passen,
gers accessories, and IL Is high time that
the people Of Washington fully appreCi-
ated the lOng-sufferinE and gentle indul-
gence of the street car companies
Any morning I'm the early hours the carr
are crowded with market baskets. gro
GERS and butchers supplies. and during
the holiday season limbs of holly trees.
clusters of mistletoe. and even Christmas
trees can be seen projecting from either
platform.
Baby carriages. small boys with skates
strapped 10 their feet, plumbers. pipe
filters. carpenters. and tinsmiths with
their various paraphernalia, dogs and
pets with special permits ali find their
way on the Washington cars.
In no other city in the United States
viii you find the courtesy and cOnsidera-
ton shown at all times by the companies
and their employees here. Passengers are
greatly offended II the car is started be-
fore they are seated. Let them reflect
them TO shove 'em up front" -One side
there" "'On or of. Let 'em of first. q"
.pr step lively there" just like so much
cattle
Now comes the .'pay-as-you-enter' car.
and the company will get a few of those
nickles collected by the conductor. and
the corner sneak. with his head buried
in a newspaper can remain seated and
without fear OF being mOlested by ladies'
entering from the front. Another advan-
tage Of the new car is that trunks and
furniture cannot be carried inside through
the small doorway and cause incOnyeni-
ence or annoyance 10 feuOw-passenEers-
Furthermore the fellow with the paid"
expression on his face will have TO dig UP
his fare before he gets his ride, so there
viii be no cause for jealousy on the part
Of passengers who have paid theirs" and
know where sits a ''fare-dOdger" who has
not paid his and the transfer shark
VIII get but one transfer. and that only
when he pays his fare This new system
seems 10 afford a plan with equal rights
10 all, special privileges 10 none"
RUSSELL HASTINGS AiILLWARD.