'The overcrowding of buses and trams continues to, bs a feature of the Shan; wzhailander's daily' life aad ho 10 Of conversation among rose who, depend unfortunately those modes of conveyance. Even the lordly motorist, as he sees poor humanity. packed and struggling. In the passing tram or bus, cannot forbear to. cast a glance of pity. there are three parties concerned. There is the company' which runs the vehicles; there are the passen Jers who insist on getting to, their ations, whether bedraggled or not; there are the police who have theoretically a mandate to. prevent public conveyances. from carrying lore passengers than the. regular ions "permit, Takings the "poli first it is understood that prosecu-_ tion of the companies, if feasible Jand. successful, would "not, produce penalties Likel be. deterrent. of "stopping ses might lead %0 misunderstandings to the endangering of the public peace. It would seem, however, thet the Municipal' authorities which issue franchises to companies notice of flagrant overcrowding which occurs. They "might also consider the possibilities of some us accident which would assuredly evoke a swift response from an indignant, public opinion. For the "companies the problem admittedly dificult. They are believed to. "be endeavouring increase their rolling stock to meet the trafic requirements—the new Jdoubledecker buses of the China General Omnibus Company afford the latest example of this solicitude—bat, even if allowance be made for the inevitable crowding which marks rash" periods everywhere, they' have yet to evolve programmes which promise to reduce this evil to reasonable dimensions. therefore incumbent on the Shanghs Municipal to take thi matter up very strongly with the Htram and bus companies and ohta if possible, a definite assurance of adequate tvention {9 the question of Tolling stock. If anything. the trams seems to be more liable to this overcrowding. process than the buses, si though both classes of vehicle are the subject of criticism jon this score. The public is not Sinmciess. Te is by no'means ready to make allowances for the difficul Jhand, the much-advertised nostrums of the silver-producers hold the field, encourage the activities of specula" {ore and seriously pertur® legitimate tending interests heres
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.