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Image provided by: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library, Urbana, IL
Newspaper Page Text
uS ij- - Wi.Vt o THE PUBLIC FORUM PASSENGER RATES. There are so many crooks, favorites, preachers, priests, doctors and politicians who pay iio fares on our railroads that we have the same identical proposition here that we have with taxing per sonal property. I propose abolishing entirely passenger fares and let all ride free, so that there will be no fa voritism. Then charge all to freight rates by doubling or even trebling the rates. This will cheat all legislators out of political thunder of dictating passenger rates, and compel every- ' body to be honest, whether they want to be or not, because freight is like real estate and can always be located 'Without graft to conductors. Per sonal property leaves a fine graft to assessors, which everyone under stands. People are virtually forced to be dishonest. If our freight rates are forced to furnish all the profits the railroads could simplify operations and reduce expenses about 25 per cent. A poor man could then ride from one end of the country to the other for nothing and obtain work. This would solve the employment problem and freight rates would only raise a ten-cent article about one cent to consumer. A 10-cent Quaker Oats would retail for 11 cents, and so on. If the idle rich wanted to still ride on fancy trains they might, by paying for it and thus lowering the new freight rates somewhat. This system would throw the burden on the rich and middle classes, where it belongs. Allen Steven. CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUNDS. Two recent experiences hdve proven to me that William Hale Thompson's idea, "public playgrounds for the chil dren of our city." is a necessity, not only for the physical welfare of the child but for the safety of the pedes trians of our streets as well. Only yesterday, while walking on Calumet av. near 47th st (south side) I came to a sudden realization, that I was being rudely attacked from the rear and simultaneously found myself in close contact with the dusty cement sidewalk. Upon arising to my feet I found ' myself in company with three small boys who were seated in a vehicle known as an "Irish Mail." The little fellows were frightened, but were lit tle gentlemen and were most profuse with apologies. The one who opera ated the machine stated that he "tried to stop it but was a little late." As for myself, I received a bad shak ing up and a torn dress. However, I consider I came through very for tunate. Another instance,, during the past week I witnessed a girl on roller skates, of probably ten years of age, apparently with deliberation, roll on to a small child of about six years of age. The skater continued on, never turning her head to ascertain if she had done an injury. I assisted the little victim to her feet and she , proceeded on her way tearfully, with, a'bruised face and a bloody nose. So a jlaygrdund for each locality seems a wise provision, and to strictly re serve the sidewalk as public thor oughfares only and thereby avert tragedies. Will you kindly find space in your valuable Day Book for the above, as I believe, judging from my experience of yesterday, that children making a playground of our city sidewalks menaces life. G. K. BILLY SUNDAY. I do not see why The Day Book should be criti cized for having Billy Sunday preach ing his sermons in it. As for my part, I regard such a department no more nor less than a fair play, although I am a rationalist If Billy Sunday's sermons appear to some of us futile, are we not at liberty to let our opin ions be known? Right here I am going to nail Billy's preaching. At the midst of his revivals, in the name of same God,' aJihnjyivwIMpC-f.tfg Qfc.V. .V imfiy',4k'&?2ll&t&&dh-