New Ulm review., 1922-10-04

which it can serve them and the COM
nunity.
New Civilization is coming into
existence because the old civilization is
constantly breaking down in spots
where it has not conformed to the
laws If the universe says it's declara-
ton. .1We believe in the laws OF the
universe We believe we have to
! put f,rth some effort in the form Of
work or play fer anything we want
We believe the mind can control ma-
terial activities--that weshaYs to think
right-that an open mind is essential
to right thinking fsssa -
Many .Foxboro felix's got the, notion
that IN. c." was an abstraction, a
flew of hot air and free supply OF
words. Members decided this sum-
mer it was time to produce service.
On July IL, the first sNew Civiliza-
ton Service Car" driven by Ed.
Fischer, started business in the square
and took its post across from the
Common near the business center OF the
town. About ten days later Service
Car No. 2 put in its appearance with
driver Stokeo. The plan of operation
is simple, as described by the Globe
correspondent:
The cars are for members only.
One pays ten cents per year to join
and receives an indentifcation card
bearing a serial number. A member
desiring to drive to any place within
ten-ynile radius of Foxboro either
telephones his order or fills out sort
Of traffic card on which he places lis
membership number. The car calls
at the given time and carrie, the pas
senger to his destination.
Upon leaving the bus the passenger
| is supposed to drop his fare in a box
on the dashboard No one knows how
much he has given; he pays as he
would pay for his religion or bis chari-
ty-as his conscience dictates. The only
key to the boxes is kept by an official
of the bank, who steps out to the curb
each morning, as the machines drive
iup, and takes their previous days col
lections for deposit.
But conscience sometimes needs a
guide and New Civilization realizes
this. In each car there is a sign which
informs the members that the esti-
mated cost of operation Of the car is
10 cents per mile If one person rides
alone for ten miles presumably a cost
for the ride would be 81, doubled, for
we are reminded that it costs fas much
again to make the return journey. But
| if four people make the same trip
together the cost is one-fourth what it
would be for lone rider.
This is, perhaps, the gin that pricks
ones conscience; but conscience itself
is the final arbiter as to the size of the
! fare.
+" And how does the plan work? At
first the New Civilization service buses
were received with some satire and
hooting. Those who wee doubtful
or suspicious called them Cuckoo cars"
The drivers had to endure joshing from
the street corners. Even today you
will find the population of Foxboro
somewhat divided on the question Of
the conscience bus line. -
! There are those who couldn't be hired
to ride in one % them cars" But
! there are host of others who know a
good thing when they see it, as proved
by the recent jump in membership.
Geographically Foxboro stands in a
pitiable plight Of isolation. 1t depends
/ largely on Mansfield for limited train
service. Townspeople who wish to go
/ to Sharon, Canton, Norwood, Frank
:lia, Medway, Norton or half a dozen
other neighboring towns of Norfolk
, and Bristol counties, must either re-
sort to an infrequent bus service, in
few cases, and devote a day to the
! journey or hire an automobile.
So New Civilization appears to have
solved Foxboro's transportation prob
lem. Business folks have found that
by paying ten cents year they can
save dollars in money and time. And
each day they are coming in greater
numbers to the office of Ira Ter Allen,
editor of Mr. Bristols newspaper, and.
lining up with the organization which
they first thought was nothing but
words.
'This community service is great
idea," said tn, whom we accosted at
the moment Of paying his dime
Never had anything like this before. 2
.'Well,' said another who belongs
to the doubtful clan, II realize Mr..
Bristol is sincere in this, but just the
same don't think it's exactly the way
to do it. It ought to be a bu mess
proposition.
As a business proposition the New
Civilization bus line is not yet on its
feet, but hopes soon to be. The cars
were purchased by the bank and mort
gagged. On proper estimates for de-
Il y l. ~ ~ 4