Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-05

Patience is an acquired characteristic
Of passengers who travel on the German
town avenue trolleys and daily pray for
rapid transit. When they crowd in cars at
Germantown and Chelten avenues each
morning riders make a rush for straps.
The successful take tight grip and read
newspapers, Bwaying to and fro 46 min
utes.
1t takes just that time to ride from
the point named to 10th and Market
streets, where most OF the Germantown
passengers alight.
The demand for better transit faclli-
ties in the way OF subways, elevateds,
Zeppelins. or anything that can travel
quickly cannot be wondered at. The COM
pany has done all in its power under
present conditions.
Lets move to Germantown" used to
be popular cry of those who lived In
other sections of the city, but residents
there admit that this shout has dimin-
Ished recently, owing to slow street car
facilities. The business man and woman
who are confronted with strenuous tasks
every day and long hours must add one
hour and half more to their time TO al
low for reaching their place OF employ
ment and returning home
boarded
a Germantown car at Germantown ave-
nue. and Chelten avenue this morning at
7:S5. An obliging passenger shared a
strap with him, and, between lodging
heads and shifting crowds, the reporter
observed as much as possible under the
conditions.
He noticed that the passengers had an
air OF patient resignation. They realized
that, with the car already packed and
reinforcements to come from any trans
fer points, there was no hope.
The tedium OF the journey was relieved
somewhat by the facetious remarks OF a
thin man of middle age who confessed
that he had been making the trip daily
for several years. This volube historian
related the evolution of rapid transit in
Germantown.
Despite his complaints, the conductor
said he was glad to have him aboard.
He made the passengers laugh, and when
they laushted they forgot TO kick about
the slow progress made
The car Travelled spasmodlcally. Every
squirt ended about a minute after it
started. This was due to the fact that
the motorman tried to make time, but
was interrupted by prospective passengers
who desired transportation.
At Hunting Park avenue the reporter
breathed a sigh of relief. when he saw
a couple dozen passengers alight But
same number got on at this point and
kept the jam as tight as ever.
Another false hope was raised at AL
legheny avenue, where there seemed to
be considerable exodus by girls en-
ployed in factories. They took cars GO
ing east. The space left by these pas
sengers was quickly filled. however, by
girls presumably employed in the stores
and shops in the central business Sec
tlon.
But the straps in the car were strong
and passengers were able to stand the
surging and hustle OF the incoming and
outgoing crowds without losing their
places. There were two more OF these
rushes-at York street and at Dauphin-
then the car seemed TO settle down for
business. Packed from door to door. it
struggled down 10th street. reaching Mar
ket street at s:Z.
Conditions are the same on the trim 10
Germantown from 18th and Market
streets during the rush hours at night,
Every rider except an old woman or a
pretty girl Is fortunate to have the use
OF a strap.
When the Rapid Transit improvements