People living in New York have long complained of the lack of accommodation on the surface and elevated roads.
During the crowded hours of the day it does not seem possible to put on enough cars to seat the passengers.
Men and women have to stand in these crowded cars, packed as closely as herrings in a barrel.
After enduring this nuisance for many years with surprising patience, the people have at last sought the aid of the Board of Health.
They have complained to the Board that standing in the cars is injurious to the health of women and persons in delicate health.
When the summer came on and the crowding nuisance was not abated, but the discomforts were considerably increased by the neglect of the companies to provide straps in the open cars for the people to hold on to, the complaints increased to such an extent that the Board of Health decided to take immediate action.
A careful investigation was commenced, and it was found that in rounding the curve at Fourteenth Street and Broadway, and the sharp curves at Fifty-third Street, every person who was not provided with a seat was in danger of losing life or limb.
The standing passengers were jostled, jolted, and flung this way and that, without sufficient protection against being thrown off the cars.
Inspectors from the Health Board were stationed at the different points to ascertain just how many persons were forced to travel in this dangerous manner.
The inspector detailed to watch the Lexington Avenue branch of the cable road reported that during two hours, 1,750 had been standing up in the 135 cars that had passed him.
From the various reports it was seen that most of this crowding could be stopped if the companies made rules to regulate the number of passengers allowed in each car, and provided enough cars to accommodate their patrons.
When the reports were all in, the Health Board met to discuss the matter.
One of its members is the President of the Board of Police. His department has had a great deal of trouble with the Broadway Cable Company.
It has been necessary to station extra policemen along the route to help people to cross the tracks in safety. Several policemen have been injured at the curves, and the Police Board has no love for the railroad.