Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-03-19
Jitney Bus System Takes Country
By Storm.

Mr.. J. Abby Henderson, of this town,
contemplates establishing at an early date
'jitney bus" service between Rockville
and Washington city. The number of
automobiles that he will put in service,
the number Of daily trips between the
points named and the rate OF fare are de-
tails that have not been determined by
him.
On the subject of this mode of trans
portation. the following article, taken from
the New York Sun. gives good idea of
its worth and growing popularity:
Influences exerted by street railway
interests may succeed for a short period in
retardine the development of the 'jitney
bus, but II will never be able to suppress
that new and popular means of transpor-
tation," says John N. WHY'S, president of
the WHY'S Overland Company, in the course
Of an interview on the "jitney" situation,
at his winter home in Pasadena. Cal.
THE public in this country is just awak-
ening to the possibilities and advantages
Of motor transportation. In London the
electric lines known over there as trans
are owned and operated by the London
county council. This body is extremely
jealous Of its abilities and has branched
out into numerous paternalistic schemes
As soon as the motor bus became factor
in transportation nine or ten years ago
the council began exerting every effort
within its great power to suppress motor
buses in the interest of huge investments
In which that body had involved the tax
payers in the construction of electric street
railways.
THE public. however, rallied to the de-
fence of the newer and more popular means
Of transportation, and today. notwithstand-
ing the fact that the councils pet street rail-
ways are facing certain bankruptcy as a
result of motor competition. the people
stand by the motor buses. and refuse to
see them unjustly dealt with.
in England the jitney business is no
longer confined to the cities. There have
been dozens of bus services established
between smaller stowns. Out of London
lines run in all directions, carrying pas
sengers into the country to points which
have never before been available to the
rank and file.
at is true that great protest has gone
up from the exclusive elements which
heretofore have practically monopolized
these rural districts. but the authorities
have been true to the motto. the greatest
good for the greatest number
AT the beginning Of the war a tremen-
dous movement was on foot TO nationalist
motor bus transportation. and compete
more and more with steam railways, which
in their suburban passenger traffic already
are being hard hit by bus competition. In
historic old Oxford the trans have entirely
disappeared from the streets.
IN London it has been demonstrated
that the motor bus can without attaining
dangerous speeds, so completely outstrip
the electric street car in the transportation
of passengers as to make the latter unat-
tractive to the public. The street car gets
sied up every time driver Of any other
sort Of vehicle gets on the track. These
delays make car schedules extremely slow
and uncertain.
"0n the other hand, despite the fact that
che bus itself weighs from 1000 to 5000
pounds. il accelerates quickly. runs around
obstacles and delivers aud picks up its
next to the curb.
But the foreigners have never enjoyed !
he advantages which America has at its