The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-10

From the Louisville Courier-Journal.
THE Pennsylvania railroad viii pro-
vide breakfast for commuters. .'-Phila-
delphia Press.
"AKEN by END large, the life OF the
commuter must be happy one. Z
i 1t we're not he would fasten his
tentacles upon one of the inexperienced
hankerers for the semi-isolation OF coun-
try life amid city conveniences--more or
less of them-and fasten the bungalow,
villa or farmhouse upon the victim.
There are many commuters who have
grown gray, not wholly from attempting
to catch a given trolley car or steam rail-
way train, and TO adjust to that achieve
ment the habit of eating breakfast and
the moods of cooks, but partly from the
passing of time. 1t is reasonable TO be-
lieve, therefore, that committing Is a
matter of free Will rather than of predes-
tination, at least In a considerable num-
Der of cases. Due allowance, of course,
must be made for the city man whose
social position, or dislike of city taxes,
or whose health or wife forces him to have
his domicile in the country and to spend
q large portion of his life oscillating be-
tween home and the scene of his urban
endeavors. But the breakfast problem Is
pretty generally admitted to exist. Even
the most enthusiastic country resident
who is truthful admits its existence. There
may he no mosquitoes. absolutely. and
not many flies in summer. Sleeping un-
der blankets every night may be neces-
sary for comfort and not merely to keep
the conscience clear while boasting OF
sleeping under blankets, and rubbing it
In upon the aat dweller who has had no
sleep, and is In such a weakened condi-
ton that he can be annoyed with iinpun-
ity. Tho car schedule, or train schedule.
as the case may be, may he all that
could be desired. That Is not often true,
but it may sometimes be true. But the
breakfast difficulty exist undeniaby. per-
sstently, perennially, except in the ca ses
of commuters who are of no vital impor-
tance at the office" or who have sold
out to trust and have nothing to do III
the city but clip coupons and cash divi-
dend checks during bank hours.
A corporation that proposes to provide
the commuter with hot coffee, which he
need not fling down his throat like dose
of medicine while lie keeps his eye upon
his watch. will surely win its reward
The eggs may not be the fresh eggs the
ccmmuter has Dragged about to the rel-
lows in town who are accustomed 10
paying the market price for eggs and no
questions asked as to age or condition.
But If they may be swallowed a little at
time instead of being taken like pill,
that will help. II will not only help
some, but a good deal. The marmalade
or jam may come from a factory which
regards the pure food law as the comic
The rolls may be nothing to brag about.
But if the breakfast can be munehed
quietly by those who have been in the
habit of boltinss their breakfasts. there
will be no longer anything whatever to
keep the conlm,iter from having as good
a time as hs ever had In town, and fresh
air to boot.
The Pennsylvania railroad has planned
wisely. The effect of the breakfast for
commuters viii be to extend the COM
muter gone Ear into the country. What
luxury Ii there Wlliln TIC PuTtnd8ffi =
power of the almighty dollar, considered
as unit or az a mass, that could be
comparable, in the view of the exper-
fenced commuter, to eating breakfast at
leisure upon working days as well Il
upon the sabbath? Those who have been
living Is or 20 cents, or minutes, from
the Broad street station, will back up Il
or 20 cents minutes and miles into the
country in order to enjoy the happiness
of dawdling over their breakfasts. Very
probably commuters who have considered
themselves New Workers because of their
business connections, while living al
points in New Jersey, will move down to
the Philadelphia suburbs to enjoy a lei.,-
urely breakfast en- route to New York
Those who have liked to regard them
selves as Phladelphians may move to
far-away New Jersey hamlets so thut
they may have cakes and syrup, or hot
wRffles. at ths tall ena of breakfast. or
maybe fruit and breakfast food at the be-
ginning.