Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-02-25

of the larger two-man cars be re-
CURED. The one-man car is an inno-
walton for any street railway service,
but for that reason alone is not OBJ
Jectionable. The public will gradual
ly accustom themselves to it's use.
1T is capable of operation from
either end. The conductor stands in
the front end where he collects fares
and gives transfers to passengers. In
order to operate the car it is neces-
sary for him to press down upon the
controller handle or to operate an
auxiliary valve by his foot. When
the pressure is taken away from eth
er the controller handle or auxiliary
foot valve, the power is shut off from
the motor and automatically the air
brakes are applied, the tracks sanded
and the doors through which ingress
to the car and egress from it are
made, are unlocked.
In the particular type of car under
operation, the car cannot be started
while the door is open nor can the
door be opened while the car is in
motion. These automatic contriv-
3nccs tend to protect the passengers
in the case Of the sudden disability of
the operator of the car or of his neg
ligent inattention to duty while en-
gagged in the operation of the car. We
do not feel persuaded by any of the
facts that appeared at the hearing to
restrain the use of the one-man car
upon the Augusta Winthrop branch
of the respondent company on the
ground that it is unsafe as set forth
in the petition.
I'VE have likewise considered the
arrangement of the doors which is
made a special ground for objec-
ton to its use by the petitioners. 1t
is necessary for passengers to enter
and leave the car by the right hand
door at the front end 1t is true that
when tie snow is high this may con-
duce to more or less inconvenience,
and it is a matter of common knoWl-
edge that the cars may not be as con-
venicnt for entry and exit as, the larg-
er cars opening at both ends and
upon both sides at the rear Of the car.
We assume. however. that the patrons
Of this particular line are not strong
ly opposed to this slight inconven-
icnce because at the hearing. which
had been publicly advertised, as we
have said before, Mr.. Chcsley. HIM
self. was the only one who appeared
to give testimony
I'VE have already animadverted to
the fact that the general manager of
the road testified that the Augusta
Winthrop branch was regarded Il fl
nancial burden to the road, consider
ing its cost of operation and revenue
producing capability per mile as COM
pared with other branches of the
same system.
THE petitioners further express
their objection TO the continued use
of the one-man car on the. ground of
their under capacity. 1t was in ev-
idencc that the hours Of s o'clock in
the morning to Augusta and o'clock
from Augusta to Winthrop in the aft
Crnoon provided the larger number of
Passengers for carriage. and. it also
appeared that upon these trips other
cars were provided to care for this
extra number OF passengers.
rum our StuuN Oh tlilS case ana
cur consideration Of the fact that
such objections as were raised were
voiced only by one witness. notwith-
standing the unusual publicity given
to the case. and that it is q novel
question. interesting for that reason.
and particularly because these cars
upon this branch of the line are used
by many people who would be alert
to protest dangerous. inconvcnient
and inadequate conditions if they felt
they really existed to an unusual de-
gree.
We feel that the complaint of the
petitioner should be dismissed"
The hearing on this case was held
on Tuesday, Feb. y. The decision
bears the same date.