The Irish standard., 1914-05-09

oVV men. just Z,OSO turned out on
parade. or less than Is per cent of
the paper strength. On the same
day, 5000 persons attended one of
the local football matches. Sir Ed
ward inspected volunteers" at
Limavady. and Garvagh on Thurs
day, and, on Easter Monday, Wis.,
count Newry inspected" 1876 foot.
and Is horse at Mourne Park. Where
are the 100000 volunteers?"
'Volunteers."
It is alleged that in Belfast, the
volunteers are paid three shillings
day; that. in Derry, where there is
mounted regiment, the horses are
lent at five shillings day; and, that,
the men from organizing. In the
discussion of this subject which took
place during my stay in the city
learned that most of the men worked
for as low as 26 shillings week, and
in some instances from seventy-ave
to eighty-five hours per week. In
making comparison of the condi-
lions of the men operating cars in
Dublin and Glasgow, and considering
the hours and wages combined, the
conductors and motormen of the city
owned car system of Glasgow receive
more than so per cent higher wages
than the men are getting from the
privately owned Dublin Tramway
Company.
In my opinion no better argument
can be presented in favor of munich
pal ownership of public utilities than
is to be found in the difference ex-
listing in the service rendered the
public and the wages paid to the en-
ployees in Glasgow and in Dublin.
The Dublin street car system has
an excellent opportunity to give
good service to the people, if it was
run in their interests instead of be-
ing used for the enrichment of Mr..
Murphy's corporation. It reaches
every part of the city and all the
beautiful suburbs. All the lines start
at the tall monument, which was
erected years ago to the memory of
the famous Lord Nelson, the hero
of the battle of Trafalgar.
The cars are arranged like those
of the English and Scotch cities, ex-
cept that the seats on the roof are
not protected by a cover such as
those Of the Liverpool and Glasgow
cars. There is no protection from
the weather, and on one occasion
got thorough wetting as result of
my desire to ride on the outside in
order to get a good view of the city.
I made several very interesting trips
through the city and the suburbs. In
company with Mr.. Quinn of Boston,
the gentleman mentioned in another
article, made trip to Kingston,
Blackjack, kidney and the other
beautiful suburbs which the car lines
on the south side of the river ira
verse. 1t is no exaggeration to say
that no more beautiful trip of the
same distance is to be found any
where. The cars run through the
best residential section Of. the city
and several of the suburbs, down to
Kingston, where the deep-water
steamers to England receive and dis
charge passengers and freight. On
our return journey we had a rather
amusing experience. Noticing row
Of semi-detached houses being erect
ed. we stopped to observe their meth
cd of doing work. It was noticed
that in one corner of the building
was erected crude Flagstaff, from
which floated an Irish flag. We
spoke to one Of the carpenters and
complimented him on their patriot
ism. He informed us that it was not
the purpose of the flag at all. He
said 1t is the custom in ireland when
the building is in course of construc-
ton. and that when the first chimney
top is put in place a flag ne hoisted,
which is intended to notify the con-
tractor or owner that he is required
to treat all the men on the job. In the
case referred to the flag had been up
a considerable time. but neither the
-owner nor the contractor had re-
sponded to the invitation. The men
told US It was an American gentle
man who was erecting the houses and
no doubt he was not aware Of the
custom Of Kingston. A short dis
lance from the new structure we no.
ticed small cottage with q Flagstaff
bearing the stars and stripes, and
were informed the gentleman erect
ing the buildings lived in this cot
tage. and he kept the American flag
constantly displayed.
The tram line terminates In q
beautiful village called Oakley, which
was q stronghold and the scene Of
r"