Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-03
THE WASHINGTON STREET RAIL.
ROADS.
The System Com lne nded.

From Washington Dispatch to the Baltimore Sun
1t has long been the comment of visitors TIC
Washington that this city has the best and the
cheapest street car system in the United States
If not in the world. There are complaints now
and then, as OF necessity must be the case tina,
the street railway corporations are lacking in
the performance Of their duties to the public
but it is rarely, where complaint is found to be
just, that the cause of it is not promptly re
moved. 1t may be that one reason for this lies
in the fact that Congress holds these companies
to strict responsibility. Their charters are no,
perpetual grants. but all Of them contain the
clause reserving TO Congress the right to "alter
amend or repeal" at pleasure. Congress can and
these corporations for the fullest exhibit OF
their affairs, and summons their officers before
its committees to show good cause why popular
grievance should not be redressed. There are
four street railways In this city, the Washing.
ton and Georgetown, the Metropolitan, the
Columbia and the Belt: The first, main line
and branches, is about 91a miles in length, the
second about Sla miles, the third 2ss miles, and
the fourth about 7l2 miles, The uniform rate
has been cents. The Washington and George-
towh road also runs a line of cars for o milo
and half on the most densely frequented part
of Pennsylvania avenue for three cent fares
There is not now and there never has been
any charge for transfers, and the companies
all Interchange tickets with each other. All
OF these companies sell six tickets for 25
cents, making the single ticket cost 10
cents. 1t is open to common, ordinary observa-
ton that by far the greater bulk of those who
ride on the cars pay in tickets; certainly, to
make a very moderate estimate. at least two.
thirds of them do. Four and one-sixth cents is
considerably less than the street car companies
in Baltimore receive after taking OF the pres
ent park tax, not counting the enormous ad-
vantage of the charge for transfers Yet with
these low rates, the Washington companies all
appear to be in a tolerably prosperous condi.
ton. The par value of the stock of all these
companies is fifty dollars. The stock olders OF
the Washington and Georgetown com pany maid
in but $50, and their stock is now quoted AT
1928. Thirty dollars was paid in for Metropoii-
tan stock and 1t Is now quoted at S1O4. Eigh-
at $50, and $3.50 for the Columbia, which
cannot be obtained at $50. The equipments of
all of these roads are of firstcass character and
the Washington and Georgetown company par
ticularly has expended great deal OF money in
its buildings. Taxation is not laid ON them
with a light hand, but real, personal and spe-
cial assessments are levied against them. II
under all these circumstances the stock of these
companies stands at such high figures, the
tons made as to the condition of the street rail-
ways in Baltimore can have no basis. or else
there must be most woeful management and
incapacity in the administration of their
affairs. The pay for the conductors and dri-
vers has been 81 per day, with an average of
fifteen to seventeen hours OF labor. There is
always such a large percentage of unempioved
persons in Washington that the companies
have been overwhelmed with applications
ing that the time has come when change must
be made, the companies, without waiting for
any organized demand from their employees, in
the absence OF any popular pressure, and with
no hint Of legislative prompting, have been for
some time contemplating the giving to those
who serve them that opportunity for rest and
enjoyment Of the ties OF home which all human
nature Graves and which all other classes OF
bread-winners have in SO much larger propor-
ton. The Metropolitan road has already mt
into effect q reduction to twelve hours. with the
same pay Of two dollars. The Washington and
Georgetown company some weeks since issued
notice to its men that twelve hours and NO
reduction of pay would be the rule after Nav
!. The Columbia determined yesterday to fol-
low suit. and the Belt line will undoubtedly do
the same. The practical and sagacious business
OF Washington realize that their action will
have the effect to diminish their net reCeipts NV
submit TO this loss without calling upOn the
general public to make 1t up to them. TAev DO
not want the earth.