John Hessin Clarke

“ While on the record before us it might be plausibly contended that when all the appliances on the 'one-man car' work as it was intended they should, it could be operated with a high degree of safety in streets where the traffic is not heavy, yet there is evidence that in the short period of the operation of such cars in Shreveport, the brakes on one of them failed to operate on a descending grade, resulting in the car getting out of control under conditions which, except for good fortune, might have resulted in serious accident. ”

“ So occupied and placed, plainly this one man could not render such assistance as is often necessary to infirm or crippled, or very young passengers, or to those incumbered with baggage or bundles, and it would not be difficult to suggest emergencies of storm or accident in which a second man might be of first importance to the safety and comfort of passengers. ”

“ He defended by filing a motion to quash the affidavit for arrest, on the ground that the ordinance was unreasonable and arbitrary and that the enforcement of it would deprive the company of its property without due process of law and without compensation, in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. ”

“ If he fails in this 'conscious act,' the current is automatically cut off, the brakes are applied in emergency, the rail is sanded, and the door of the car is unlocked, and is so adjusted that opening it lowers the step for use. There is testimony tending to show economy in the use of such cars, not only in the saving of the wages of one man, but also in immunity from accident. ”

“ It is obvious, and not disputed, that such cars are better adapted to light than to heavy travel, for all passengers must enter and leave at one door, and one man must take fares, make change, issue transfers, answer questions, and also remain in position to start the car promptly. ”