Intervening events have driven from all but the hardiest memories the disaster of June 14, 1907, the day that the entire Temperate Zone was hit head on by the worst heat wave in history. Although the suffering of streetcar passengers generally was noted in the chronicles of the disaster, one of the most singular incidents (or congeries of incidents) of that singular day was, so far as I know, never reported. The press had, understandably, overlooked the fact that in those days, and on that day, June 14, the streetcars everywhere in the world carried placards which read: “Windows Are NOT To Be Opened before June 15.”
In downtown Milan, where the cars round the Duomo, an Italian threw a rock through a streetcar window and ran.
In Barcelona a Spaniard fell asleep and rode to the end of the line.
In Leeds an English rider called the attention of the Yorkshire Post to the situation, in a strong letter, and, after the letter was picked up in the Times, a Parliamentary debate ensued and the Liberal Government fell—ostensibly on the issue of window regulation.
In Graz the streetcar windows were in such bad condition that, although they were closed, the breeze came through and no Austrian suffocated.
The Bucharest Surface Lines were sold to a Turkish syndicate reliably reported to represent the interests of the Government of –––.
In Lyon a tram passenger cried “Liberté!” and drove his fist through the window. At the sight of his bleeding hand, the Lyonnaise in the dreamy, picturesque Place de Ville rioted.
The Swiss Cabinet, in an emergency session, ordered fans installed at once on all the municipal railways.
In the Scandinavian capitals it was cool, even muggy.
In Omaha an American opened the streetcar window.
In Hannover a German, having read the placard and consulted his mechanical pocket calendar, sat back comfortably in his seat, kept his coat on, and read his paper; but that evening he beat his small son, who, twenty years later, joined the NSDAP, or National Socialist German Workers, Party.