The Old, Old Stories

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 45, 23 May 1930, Page 37

The Old, Old Stories

ROBABLY few living to-day remem per: actually writing out the old copy-book maxim, "Civility pays and costs nothing,’ but most will have heard it quoted at some time or another, most likely at then by one of the old brigade. In Austria to-day, it seems that the opposite obtains in one sense of the word, for citizens and visitors alike are heavily fined for infringement of the numerous by-laws, one of which counts as an offence, "wounding an official’s honour." An American tourist, who was guilty. of calling a tram-car conductor a "born idiot" was fined 10/- on the spot, and, protesting, was hailed before the councillor. In his indignation, hewso far forgot himself ds to apostro*phise that dignity as a "robber cap- . tain," for which indulgence he paid twenty-six sillings. Other offences for which one is fined, and called upon to pay for "on the nail" are:Crossing the street in the wrong. place. Walking on the grass, Throwing papers about, ~_ Broading a tramcar in motion, ‘ Driving on the wrong side of the road, ‘Driving too fast,

Leaving a horse and cart standing, Affixing a poster to an unrented wall, Playing a piano too loudly, Letting a loud-speaker shout. It is not impossible to find oneself involved in a series of fines when for instance fined for crossing the road in the wrong place, a receipt is duly given, which one throws down in disgust, is again fined, and more than likely becomes guilty of "wounding an official’s honour." An old woman who boarded a tram after the gate was shut, was left clinging to the side, shrieking for help, until the next. stop, where the conductor cried to’ the nearest policeman, ‘Arrest » this fool." In spite of the fact that the "fool" had by that time fainted, she was carried to the nearest police station and duly fined. When travelling by rail you are thus adjured: Do not crush, but select a carriage with the dignity and politeness of a cavalier. All of which reminds us of the late ‘Jerome K. Jerome’s experience in. prewar Germany. When found seated in a railway carriage without a separate ‘ticket entitling him to a seat, he was ‘fined and ejected into the . corridor, where he was again fined for "standing in the corridor,’ which was "vérboten."