The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-19

tionally accused to stand in moving
vehicles. Thus the number of persons
who may have places sitting, or debout,
In the carriages of the souterrain Is indi-
Gated In each of them. The new motor
omnibuses have no seats on the top, but
there is a standing platform at the rear
You may travel first or second-class, as
you please, by occupying the forward or
after section of them. The seats face the
driver, with a gangway down the middle,
and there are large windows which let
down easily. Indeed in this way, in the
summer, the whole vehicle may be open.
At busy shopping places attempt is
made to prevent a rush for seats by plac-
ing on post packets of numbered tickets,
which are torn off by passengers, and the
conductor gives the right of first entry to
those who hold the lower numbers These
omnibuses are convenient vehicles lighter
than ours, and the new tramcars generally
resemble them, but are larger, and are
entered at the side.
Traffic Better Regulated
The example of London is influencing
Paris in several ways. The traffic is much
better regulated than it was and the gem
darme is gaining the experience and skill
of the London policemen. At all the main
crossing points the handling of the traffic
leaves little to desire. The island refugees
have been increased in number and the
crossings now present few difficulties, ex-
cept that in some places they are very
wide, and three or four lines of traffic
may be coming in the same direction at
one time. The white baton and whistle of
the gendarme regulate the stoppages and
movements of the traffic, but often, as in
London, the hand suffices for the business
But some time must elapse before the
traffic of Paris can gain the discipline
which in London Is the result of long and
skilful handling by the police. The loud
and insistent whistle of the motorcab call.
which is such a dscordant nuisance near
the hotels and theatres in London, is un-
known in Paris. and probably there may
be something to learn from Parisians in
this matter. 1t is true that the volume of
traffic is less, but the Partisan driver is
more observent and the hotel messenger
more active. He has no temptation to re-
sort to the use of strident whistle. The
system of permanent cab ranks has been
developed, and in the busy hours of the
afternoon playing for hire is prohibited.
A certain reduction in traffic in the
streets is observable. but is probably
rather apparent than real. The UNDER
ground lines are carrying larger and lar
ger numbers of people, and 1t is often
impossible to find a seat. In the streets
the greater speed of the traffic may ac-
count for some reductions in the number
of vehicles. The boulevards do not seem
so crowded at night, and. except in certain
quarters. there is rapid reduction after 3
p. m. The truth is that the pressure is
reduced in the centre, and that Parisians,
who have been engaged all day in the city
are in larger numbers elsewhere at night.
Probably one-half of the people of the
boulevards are strangers and foreigners.
Transportation Costs Less
The change has been brought about by
the extension of the means of commune
cation and by cheap fares. River, road,
and rail are all available-the Seine is
far more an avenue of traffic than the
Thames-the cost Of travelling is small,
and the lines are conveniently planned.
Thus profound change is being intro
duced gradually into Partisan life, and the
process will continue. The demonstration
of the enceinte will accelerate the change.
There Is as yet few suburbs such as We
know in London. but there is an expand
ing fringe, and the Parisians will be quick
to perceive the advantage of our garden
suburbs
Every capital has its own physiognomy,