Evening star., 1924-08-30
TRACTION MEN RAP
FREE AUTO RIDES
Street Car Managers Note
Loss in Profits Due to Pub
lies Good Nature.
BY j. @. ROYLE.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, August 30.-Ride free
ly, but not free. That Is the request
that traction interests all over the
country are urging on the public
The street railway companies have at
last come to recognize the loss ana
danger to their interests represent
ed by the cadgers of automobile rides
and are asking motorists to abandon
the attitude Of easy good nature so
frequently imposed on for considera-
tion of the rights Of others in the
transportation field.
The "gimme-a-ride" contingent,
numerous in every heavily Travelled
street and thoroughfare. has grown
to the proportions of an annoyance
snd a menace to motorists, according
to many car owners. The latter are
perfectly prepared to cooperate with
traction interests in abating this null
sance. The American motorist Is no.
toriously unselfish in sharing his ma
chine with wayfarers. The majority
of them want to be good fellows,
but they are coming to resent being
imposed on.
Free Rides Cut Profits.
This attitude has been strengthened
by the number OF holdups and rob-
berries which chance pickups have
perpetrated the more easily since the
driver with his hands on the steering
wheel has been thoroughly at their
mercy. In addition some of these
riders who have been injured In ac-
cidents unavoidable in automobile
traffic have attempted to hold their
hosts responsible.
The practice of dispensing free
rides in sections also served by bus,
taxi and electric railway lines un-
doubtedly has hurt the profits of
companies engaged in operating those
facilities and Is directly responsible
in some cases for urgent demands for
fare increases, which have been felt
by the whole community including
the motorists.
The traction men take the stand
that the great majority Of those " 10
ask so freely for lifts from motorists
would resent keenly the implication
that they would beg for or cents
for a ride on the street car, although
sum from the gross receipts of the
company If the motorists is COM
plaisant and picks them up.
So extensive has the habit OF beg
ging rides become that such service
in some cases is almost demanded as
a right. One wealthy woman resi-
dent of Long Island, who enjoys driv-
ing her own car, said today that of
all the hundreds of boys and girls
she had picked up and given lift
on the road. only one youngster had
left her car with thank YOU"
Students Have Good Luck.
The habit is not confined to the
poor or needy. Students at eastern
universities are Dragging they can
ride free over practically any road
in the country, and have become so
accustomed to being granted these
favors in the neighborhood OF New
York, Philadelphia, New Haven and
ride is not terminated by an invita-
ton to luncheon or dinner.
In discussing the effect Of the habit
of furnishing free rides to persons
who otherwise would patronize street
railways, B. c. Cobb, vice president
of Hodenpyl Hardy & Co. prominent
in financing of public utilities, said
today: The degree of financial sue
cess attain3ble by any business Is
regulated by two factors:
First, there must be a market for
the product. Second, the price re-
ceived for the product must be suffi-
cient to pay all the costs of supplying
it, plus a reasonable return to those
who represent the capital invested.
oi lAcih % 10 liio PC 11'.. A-N' - :,
electric railway as a public servant"
1t was further pointed out by trac-
ton experts that the public at last
was beginning to realize by the de-
cisions of public service commissions
and other official bodies that riders
must pay the whole cost of the serv-
ice, no matter what that might be,
and that as a result of this cost of
service" policy fares are up all over
the United States.
From a rate Of 500 cents in 1918
the average fare has risen above
1913 cents at present, and there Is
every indication that more than 49,
Oo0, 100000 passengers will be carried
before December 81 this year. A
total of 173 cities have a 7-cent fare.
$50 have a 10-cent fare. SO scent
fare and So carry passengers for 5
cents.