Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-08

known the register To record 100 fares.
The inspector in charge OF the expe-
riment now asked for volunteers. and
a company Ct old ladies with market
baskets went forth into the arena.
Slowly and painfully they mounted
the waist-high step and crushed their
way inside The megaphone called
zone hundred and twenty 6ve pas
sengers."
Mufied screams could be heard from
the inside of the car and the motor
man could he seen fighting back the
people who had been pushed out upon
the front platform.
Still room for more!~ shouted the
conductor
Twenty school teachers climbed
aboard and passed through the door.
"One hundred and forty-five.
The sides of the car were groaning
under the terrible strain. So were
the passengers.
The inspector looked toward the roy
al box. where the head officials of the
company sat.
"Shal. / stop" We're the words that
his look expressed. but the trolley Of
ficials pointed their thumbs downward
Bring on the stout mems squad.
the inspector ordered. and II beer wa
eon drivers staggered up and went IN
To the car
Making 100 passengers, the an
nunciator declared.
The tumult of cheering that greeted
the successful loading of the old ladies
and the school teachers had changed
to an outcry of pity. The vast audi
encc turned to the royal box with out
stretched hands, imploring that the
cruel exhibition be ended. But the
royal box sat unmoved.
A party of strong arm policemen now
stepped upon the platform and rush
ed through the door. fourishing black
jacks.
twice they flung themselves into the
car. only to he repealed. 1t looked as
If the ear had reached the limit of its
capacity.
Suddenly a stern Young man in uni
form stepped up and took the first con-
ductor's place.
Packer. of the bloomfield nine. con-
Quoting for Stuffem." sbonted the meg
aphone man.
"Stuffem belongs TO the Kinney line.
the spectators explained to their neigh
| hcrs Packer is the best pinch con-
ductor il the service"
| F@cker opened the door and reared
il the veice that patrons of the bloom
} field line tremble to hear
step forward there
Then he looked ut the ev~@a Of
i painting policenen IN the platform
Step inside. please" he command
Humblg the policemen obeyed The
ear swallowed them up. and tie spec
tators gdsped as they keard:-
= One hundred and eisht-two passen-
gers!
70 ell il was apparent that the eli
max was near Great cracks began to
show in the sides of the ear. ana heart
rendine Sounds came from the interior.
/ 1T reminds re Of the stoeksards
/ remarked a man from Chicago.
Flushed with victory, the masterful
: Young Packer sgnaIed with his arm.
and The Patsy Brine gang from tho
| lodging house ward charged the street
ear and heat their way inside.
| Surely the car could not hold another
person. Yet the inspector was prepar
! ing to go through. as is the custom af
| inspectors in crowded ears, To see IL
everyone was comfortable.
Suddenly a hush feIl upon the shocked
amphitheater.
The men in charge of the experiment
could be seen running 70 and fro about
the car. trying to look in at the VIM
dows, talking excitedly. gesticulatinS
| wildly.
The faces in the royal box turned
! pale with apprehension.
J What had gone wrong?
| The man with the meeaphone step
ped forward and said
Ladies and gentlemen, the expert
ment cannot he finished The fare reg
| lister has rst."-From the Newark
| N. j. News.