The Detroit times., 1910-01-13
R.s|MPly
HANDLE CR0VVDsl
RUSH HOURS
City Has Far outsrova Gezvfoo'
Railway Il Able 10 xaznish
Carr, Jammsd To Capacity, Nm
By People on Corner. :.
Schedule on Woodward Ixten1os
and Moro Trolleys Added n n.
tempt TO Relieve Conssstisu.

In an effort to relieve the coueosf1cr
on the woodward line during the rurnIt Z
hours, resulting from the phooou 6o6
development Of the north end u a.
city. the Detroit United Railway ut
new schedule into eject Thurs6ny
morning. The running time from fho
city limits to the Michigan Cenkro2
depot has been extended from a min
utes to 36 minutes. The cars viii -
run as closely together az horetofure.
which means that additional carr VIII
be put on. The slippery condition ~
the tracks. owing to the Continued
damp weather. was another factor II
the adoption Of the new schedule.
The need OF an extension OF the
street car system In the north end lino.
been brought home to the residents of
that section very forcibly OF late.
Night after night they have stood a
the prominent downtown corners
sometimes from 75 to 100 strong. uhd
have waited patiently for cars TO take
them home. only to watch the carr
slide by. crowded to the absoluto
limit, while Thirc cars. following close
behind, have been practically empty. In
many instances.
II the long talked-of extension out
Hamilton-blvd. were a reality, many of
the Third cars that now pass up Wood
ward with light load would be well
filled, for many Of those who walt
with the mob for q chance to fight their
way inside the Woodward cars would
take a Third car II the line extended
beyond the boulevard.
The people themselves. however. In
cluding some northenders, once turned
down proposition to extend this line.
among others. and the aldermen, fear
Ing the wrath of their constituents.
have thrown up their hands every time
extensions have been mentioned. In
the meantime Detroit has been ex.
panding with tremendous bounds. with
the natural result that It has ougrown
Its street car service.
On many Of the lines the situation Il
serious, but nowhere is 1t worse than
ION Woodward. Activity II increasln4
daily IN the new Ford plant I'M JzlC1e
land Park and dwelling nopSe6 wV1o
being erected IN that village nttl the
bad weather set In. at the rate of one
a day To large part of this terri
tory on either side OF woodward the
Woodward line offers the only means
OF transportation. and when the stores,
shops and Offices begin pouring out
their armies of employees at s o'clock
and again at $50 the cars are simply
swamped.
This condition can hardly be charged
to lack Of cars. For two nights this
week Times representative has kept
tab on the Woodward service. In ~
x.,tn n,.fA MI ~1vusu ~
cars passed tho corner OF woodward
and Grand Riveraves. Adding to this
number several suburban cars not In
cluded in the above figures. the SER
vice was better tnan car minute.
Yet. at the height OF the rush 40 people
were left standing at that particular
corner for upwards Of five minutes.
and as many more one block above, at
John-c.-E.
The cars were crowded before they
reached State-st.. in some instances
before they reached the Pontchartrain.
for many people have grown wise by
experience and now make sure Of get
ting on by walking to Congress or
even to Jefferson. Some have even
resorted to the expedient OF jumping
on the downbound pay-enter cars and
riding to the depot. thus insurfng them
selves a seat. Ordinarily another fare
would be charged for the return jour
ney. but not so with the pay-enter.
Another rule OF the pay-enters that II
fractured with unfailing regularity
during the rush hours is the one that
forbids passengers to stand on the
platform. At the intersections. where
the cars are required to stop. In spite
OF the motorman's protestations, the
waiting patrons swarm on until the
yestibule is chokcd. and there IL moth
ing for the conductor to do but to make
the best of It.
On Tuesday night, the same service
rs was observed Monday night OBJ
tanned. but II was after 6 o'clock when
the last OF the waiting throngs at the
various corners had found accommo-
datlons.
One interesting development OF the
congested trafic conditions is tEe
attitude of women toward the practice
OF riding on the rear platform. Forrn-
erly II was regarded az the height OF
limpropriety for u woman TO ride ON
the platform with those horrid
smokers" NOW 1t is not an uncom-
mon sight to see half dozen women
in the platform gang" and they don't
seem to mind IL at all.
1