Evening star., 1923-04-01
Fifty Years Ago III
The Star.

When horse cars were the ONLY
known means Of local communication
HnrSe Core onJ In American cities
fifty years ago they
Legislatures were often the sub
ject of discussion
with reference to the degree of com
fort afforded passengers, and particu-
larly in respect to the treatment and
condition Of the animals furnishing
the motive power. The matter was
being debated, a S the following In The
Star OF March 24, 1878, attcsts:
THE horse railroads Of the country
seem 70 be getting as object!onably
potential with legislative bodies as
are the kindred monopolies of tho
iron horse. Everybody in Washing
ton knows the sway they have with
Congress, and IN the state Of New
York a notable evidence has Just been
presented that they hold the legisla-
ture there in their hands. Mr.. Bergh's
new bill for the prevention Of cruelty
to animals was voted down in the as
sembly on Thursday. The New York
papers say that the horse railroad
companies Of that city were opposed
to the bill, which is 4 sufficient ex-
planauon Of the result. The New
York Post, commenting upon tho mat
ter, says:
The horse railroad corporations
or this city are gradually extending
the sphere of their dominion. They
nave long been masters OF tho travel
ing public in New York. They fur
nlsh such cars as they please, as dirty
fhHV u
please, with such facilities for pocket
picking and murder as they please.
and no citizen can make a more ef-
fectual protest than a passing com
nent To this immense power they
have now added the ownership Of the
reform" legislature'
In Washington 1t must be conced-
60, In justice TO the street car com
panleSi that the horses used are gen
eraIIY good, serviceable animals, well
groomed, well fed and well cared for
IN tact, the railroad officers here hold
II TO be poor economy to keep poor
STOCK, and IL is sometimes said that
the quadrupedS in their employ are
better cared for than the bipeds. ANY
way, the charge of cruelty to animals
Is not one We are likely to have to
meet before Congress; but their IN
hueuce with that body is felt in other
ways whenever the question of pub-
lie rights and their privileges Is pre
sented."
Ihe Chesapeake and Ohio canal was
an important artery of commerce for
Important Washington and this re
gion fifty years ago. The
Artery Star of March s, 1878.
noted tho fact that tho
water had been admitted to the canal
for the opening of the seasons bust
ness and that, though some com
plants have been made of unneces-
sary delays. It was hoped that no Sc
rious damage had resulted. continu-
ing:
I'VE look upon this canal az second
to none of the several means and
fields Of industry and opportunity
with which this region Of country is
furnished. It is a principal avenue
of supply for an article of human ne
cessity that must rapidly grow in de
mand everywhere among civilized
men. Not in cold. temperate climes
alone Is II required, for the tropics
send in Il ConSiderabl demand; from
all quarters arc heard orders for its
shipment. AS the supplies from Eng
/ land diminish tho deficiency is sought
| to be made up elsewhere. We can do
much toward this and should not ba
backward In the effort: although VIC
do not hold the monopoly we do
nevertheless, occupy a position OF
vantage. No fair and proper
opportunity for improving the capac-
fty and condition of the canal ought
to be overlooked, for in such cordial
and faithful regard the interest and
! honor of stockholders, directors, Gus
toners. the state and the public at
large are bound up. The year now
incoming, with the probable introduc-
| tion of steam towage, may be one
long remembered as the first of a new
era in the prosperity of one of the
| most important public works in the
whole country