Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-14
GETTING A NICKEL'S WORTH OF TRANSIT
the People of Boston Control Their Transportation SYSTEM
peng Its Management Adapt Its Service Changing Needs
By BURTON KLINE


GONE years ago Boston newspaper Illus
- trated an article with the first pho otographs
ever taken by a kodak camera for newspaper
purposes The reporter who took them and
wrote the article was describing the longest
street-car ride for cents in the whole coun-
| try. He took his pictures, and took his ride,
! in Boston.
| You have your choice as to which was the
| more notable feat the pictures or the ride.
! But II photography could boast OF such things
in its precocous infancy, could the Boston
transit system. The fact Is, the system came
into being in answer to demand for just
such rides. Before 1894 Boston fretted and
wrote letters to the editor. in condemnation OF
the usual jungle of competing lines. Their
arrangements were lngeniousy imperfect in
themselves, and studiousy hostile to each
other, Among them the proud Bostonian
who ventured abroad on their rails was an
object of pity OF derision. Of suspicion. They
treated him not as he pleased but as they
pleased, and thoy did it-and to a Bostonian!
with impunity
Well Trained Corporation
That was in 1894. Since then the pride of
manhood has more than returned to the Bos-
toniaE. He regards the Boston Elevated-he
certainly treats it-as his private property
son why not. He has taught 1t not merely a
polished demeanOr, from the officers who post
notices in the cars to the buttoned knights
who take his nickels at the door; he has
taught It polished English as well, Public
notices that elsewhere curtly say mo smok-
Ing" assume almost crlnging civllity in
stations OF the Boston Elevated. The con-
ductor olitely exhorts you to Leave the car
by the rearer door," and addresses your wife
as "madam" more often than lady"
Possibly the Boston Elevated would have
reached this state OF civilization unaded,
But the Bostonian has certainly given aid IN
liberal measure He has made his elevated
road contemporary OF himself. He demands
Of fl IIG Gculcan improvements and extensions
-an1 Re gets them. He wants more and more
for his nickel-and gets It. He wants this
done with minimum OF political chicanery--
and 1t Is done. The Boston Elevated is with
out doubt the most admirably trained wild |
corporation ever broken and brought into the |
service of man.
Politics Out of 1t
Today the Boston Elevated may no longer
hold the honorable record for the longest ride
for a nickel, since the New York subway
10 help a passenger escape from
Brooklyn to the Bronx-or to the Bronxes-
for cents. worth 1t not. But the b. r.
has held that record for a very honorable
period and II has other records even more
honorable and profitable. II operated the
hrst subway In America, and one OF the first
IN the world, II has had only one serious
strike In its history OF 20 years. It handles
nearly as many million people year as does
New York, and with miraculous minimum
II accident ana delay II Il has dabblea In
politics, it has done 90 with a marvellous
genius for secrecy. Its dabblinss are not yisi-
'le to the naked eye anyway.
And All the while. Notwithstanding minor
mperfectons, springing generally from the
riginal imperfectlons IN mankind ana par
iculary from certain well-deaned peeuIiari-
les Of the New England character-(yes thars
re few)-all the while the Boston Elevated
as stood 20 the country as very nearly the
noaei Of that necessary monopoly, a public j
eryiee corporation, should bo.
Physically. the Boston transit svstso.
breads the metropolis precisely as II sho,ild 1
-as . cirepiatory system II throws eat {
Apillary extensions wherever suburban I
roWth promises meney return Or ufters 4
inieisnty LOUD gFoWl for service. II VIII
amp a passenger from enc capillary e. ;
emity ia q northern suburb eight nalles n
oston 10 another capillary suburb elvht
MES p ne southard 81 Boston rs a. n5ff B
~ aafe g 1es g snHaace -. . tunnel traia s
eef sFo''as en slelaza1 irasn. ~ ~ q
# t 1898 eassf aaatoa haf6er andlne