TRAM RUSHES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 263, 26 July 1918, Page 6

TRAM RUSHES

THE OVERCROWDING DIFFICULTY

MANAGER'S PROPOSALS

STATE OFFICES MAY CLOSE EARLY

Tho City Engineer lias written tho following letter 10 tile City Council-.— , "I leet compelled to again draw the attention oi tiie council to tue dilnwiUy experienced in coping with the rush hour truiuc on the tramways, 'lhe trouble is. accentuated because ol the largo proportion of these engaged in oiLiccs, wuiksliops, and factories ceasing work at 5 p.m. There is no remedy at present other tii.m "staggering" the hours of business in such a manner that tne loading will bo spread over i\ longer period. This method of dealing with rush traffic lias been adopted in America to a very great extent, and more particularly in Washington. The same difficulty has also been experienced in Great Britain, and with a fixed number of cars, generating power, and employees, there can be no alternative but to adopt the above proposal. "The trouble here is now becoming so acute that I have to recommend the council to request the Government to observe office hours of 5.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., ill lieu of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as at present. The great increase in tlio number of Government employees in connection with the various departments, more particularly since the operation of Military .Departments, such as Baso Hecords, War Expenses, Pensions, Ordnance, etc., makes it absolutely necessary to deal with the matter as suggested. It appears also necessary to give consideration to the ■hours observed in one or two of the more important secondary schools with a view to the pupils being accommodated outside rush hour traffic. The difficulty regarding schools is experienced more particularly in tbe morning. "After having given this mat'.er the mor.t careful consideration. I am unable, to make any other suggestion to lessen the present difficulties, and recommend that consideration of the proposal now made should be favourably given by the council. It will not be sufficient to deal merely with a few of the Government Departments. To obtain any real benefit the chango of hours suggested should apply to all. 1 may l add that a somewhat similar arrangement was made some time ago wlieo shortage of coal was threatened, and the system was partially adopted in several Government offices for a short period. This was also done by some of tfca large warehouses. The Government, however, went back to the original houis oi business, but one or two of the warehouses in the city aro still observing the other hours. To my mind, this indicates tli'at no hardship is experienced by tho alteration. Apart, however, from any hardship, it is in my opinion absolutely necessary to do as suggested. The City Council should also conform."

The Mayor said that on receipt of tlio letter he had interviewed the ActingPrime Minister and the Public Service Commissioner, and had found both of them sympathetic. At the first meeting of Cabinet the matter would como up for consideration. Tho overcrowding ot trams at the present time was absolutely dreadful, and it would .not be too much to ask the Public Service' Commissioner to do what was suggested by tho city engineer. He thought the Civil Servants would be patriotic enough to fall in with the idea. The lunch hour of tho Government ollicers also might with advantage be altered to be from 12.31) to 1.31). The changes suggested would assist tho electric lighting stations. Councillor C. JJ. Norwood thought that many of the business firms also would fall "in with the idea. In tho opinion of come 8.30 to 4.30 might be the more "economical" hours.

Councillor W. ii. F. Barber supported the suggestion. Hp said, however, that they did not want too many to iall into i.ne or the remedy would be defeated. Councillor K. A. Wright reminded the Mayor that an adjustment of the suburban train services might bo necessary. . Councillor W. H. Bennett_ said the simplest way out of tbe difficulty was to alter tho clock. Tho Mayor: That would not do. Things would be'just the same then.