The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-01-20
he HAD. STREET CARS
AND HE HAS THEM YET, ALSO
SOME WHEELS.
Inventor Solves the Transportation
Problem, but When He Becomes
Visionary Editor Calls an
Abrupt Halt.

visionary Editor Calls an
Abrupt Halt.
The man was apparently as sane
as the editor was to whom he was
talking. Sometimes you can tell and
sometimes you can't. Editors are very
peculiar thac way. Anyhow the man
was talking and the editor was list
ening
Il am an inventor" the man was
saying, land am profoundly interested
In New York's transportation prom
lem. Something must be done, and
that quickly. to relieve the conges-
ton"
iou talk like a DOCTOR" ventured
the editor.
Il am a DOCTOR" retorted the man,
"a doctor seeking to cure the ills of
urban travel. l am confining my min
istrat1ons to the surface cars, believ-
ing there is enough on the earth re-
Qu1r1ng attention without going above
1t or beneath it. l have at my home
models of cars which, If adopted,
would, In my judgment, be Of the
greatest benefit to the public.
For example, l have what 1 call
the tush-hour car. This pattern is
without seats, but has a very liberal
supply Of straps for the comfort and
convenience Of passengers. In each
OF these cars the maximum load will
be carried, and they will be quite as
comfortable to the standees as the
ordinary seat car is, If not more so,
as each passenger will know and feel
that he has as good accommodations
as any other passenger.
1T Is probable that only men will
ride in them, but that will be an ad-
vantage rather than otherwise. for
when the men have been carried away
from congested points the ladies will
nave some chance to get seats in 9TH
er cars"
will they have side doors?' in
CURED the editor casually.
"Only on Sundays" replied the in
ventor solemnly, and continued: AN
other model is of the telescope car.
This is built on the extension princi-
pie. and during rush hours can be
showed out to double its capacity dur
ing the less active hours of traffic.
me two ends Of the car pull out,
making capacious standing room in
those parts Of the car where the
standees can make those who had
seats in the central portion of the car
wish they had stood near the doors so
they could get out before they had
been carried two or three blocks be-
You'd their destination. In these cars
only the men will stand; the ladies
will occupy the Seats
The editor didn't say anything, but
he looked 1t. The inventor proceeded
with his narrative.
"A third model have is the rubber
car. No relation whatever to the
rubber-neck car. This car Is not fully
developed as yet. propose to make
1t OF rubber so that it will stretch to
the utmost limits of the corporations
greed. If necessary.
But the car on which I base most
of my hopes" he said, lis the triple
decker. This car is not much higher
in build than the ordinary surface
cars, and has narrow aisle down the
middle, with three tiers Of seats hold
ing two passengers each, on either
side. Passengers will have to stoop
some In order to get into their seats.
but once in they can sit up as straight
as they please. without fear of scrap
ing the varnish of of the ceiling.
"The cars may be bit stuffy and
close when packed, but the passen.
gers can endure some discomfort for
the sake of getting home at night be-
fore their dinners are cold, or getting
to their offices in the morning before
the dock clerk gets his work in on
their time. In any event it is a good
deal better than waiting on the cor
ner, which remains in one place.
About 120 passengers may be carried
at one load"
The editor was still listening as
though he enjoyed 1t. and the inventor
went ahead.
Il have another car In mind" he
said, which will provide seats for all
passengers, will permit no standees
either in the body Of the car or on tho
platforms. will provide plenty of
light, warmth and ventilation, will not
stop when full except to disembark
passengers, will have"
Here, here" interrupted the edi-
tor, don't talk like visionary. I'll
stand for practical and practicable
things, but don't want any pipe
Dreams"
HUH" shifted the inventor, rising
abruptly. Il see plainly. sir, that you
are In league with the corporations.
Good morning.