The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-22
GLOWING FUTURE
FOR JITNEY BUS
NEED NOT BE ) CENT ONLY

This article comcs from the National
Autom bile CHAM Der Of Commerce, the
leading association OF motor car makers
Of this countryl
There does not seem to be the slightest
doubt that the jitney bus marks the en-
trance OF one OF the most wonderful OF
OF modern inventions into a further field
Of usefulness. from which II is not go
ing TO retreat sven though the surprise
to the public that n can be so used II
perhaps a little greater tina the sur
prise which has accompanied the several
other stages Of the automobiles develop
ment. At a five cent fare. or even at n
ten cent fare. the feSibility of service
supplied by the motor car and the SER
vice rendered to the public during rush
hours and over routes not covered by
street car lines cuunt for It's increasing
use and the demand OF the public that
It's Use be fostered and not hampered
by legislation Of "a oonfiscatory nature.
The PRESENT rather chaoti conditions
under which the jitney buses are oper-
ating will pass, but undoubtedly there
will remain n properly regulated ser
vice OF this character. Much opposi
ton has been of an artificial nature
and voiced from a more or less selfish
standpoint. hut the thing hat will dc
termine the future of this new method
OF transportation in city streets Is
whether II Is a public utility and eco
nomically correct. and II is In consider
alton OF these points that il will finally
be Judged,
The public will certainly not permit
Of its being denied an opportunity 10
demonstrate its usefulness merely be-
cause certain persons or interests are
affected. II a new and dangerous COM
petitor OF Traction interests has APP
peared, those interests must sooner or
later meet this competition they canno
hope to strange Il any more han trunk
line carriers could prevent the n de-
~v"lopment OF trolley systems. Each
has finally come into It's own portion
Of traffic that naturally takes TO the
different channels. and II IL certain that
"A portion OF traffic is going to take 20
the motor vehicle.
Nor Is n Ave cent fare necessarily n
condition under which the automobile
must be used In the handling of pas
sengers. Every body who goes to the
thsltre doesn't elect TO pay 50 for a
seat. although everybody present sees
the same show. II Is quite possible
hat there Is n middle ground some
where between taxlcabs and street cars
that In many localities would result in
n line OF properly equipped and oper-
ated buses doing a good business at q
ten cent fare.
Some city authorities have feared
accidents due TO the sudden appearance
of titney buses in large numbers, bu'
Il Is worthy OF note that other cities d.
not appear TO be %roubled particularly
In that respect. and we can see M
reason why that sort OF thing should
continue, II nay have resulted at frs
from a mistaken idea OF drivers. pps,
sibly not as experienced az they shoulC
have been and would be under propeI
regulations, as to the speed they SHOULD
make with their passengers. but ex
cesslve speed. In the final analysis, II
certainly not going TO be expected o
these vehicles.
1t would be no trouble for them I,
cover a given route IA rapidly as troll
ley cars. and their fexibility in han
ding would seem, in the long run Il
argue TOT greater shI@N' certainly
II they pick up "A certain percentage OF
passengers, notably women and children
at the curb. who TOY have TO go 10 tn,
middle OF the street to take street cars
there is a possibility OF eliminating q
certain number OF street accidents,
Some have expressed the view tina
the jitney bus IL merely the product of q
temporary condition whereby the coun,
try finds itself with a surplus of sec
ond hand automobiles and thousands Of
unemployed men, II this IL true, let ut
give one more cheer for the S,tomobil,
md what II has done for the country
II Is needless to recite again the growth
Of the industry and the hundreds o
millions OF ollar that II has added e
our Industrial development annually II
It's own and allied Industries.
II II has. at this time OF business de
preston, given employment to thou
sands OF unemployed men in n field o
Individual effort nowadays hand 10 find
II Is something very much to he desired
But II anybody believes that all OF tn,
second hand automobiles ave been pu
into use and will soon be worn out. 10
him not forget that nearly $500 new
ones have just been added 10 the sup
ply with the close OF this years a
featuring season. n that an evei
greater number 10 anticipated for Nh
coming year. 4 considerable proportion
VI these machines " absorbed Wy per