The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-02
NOISE OF The STREET CARS.
The Subject Discussed by the Committee
Last Evening.
IT Is SAID TO BE- 4 GREAT NUISANCE.
Many Residents of the west-End Were
Present-A Committee Appointed and
an Expert to BE Employed.

meeting was to consider the resolution intro
duced at the last meeting of the Common
Council. by Nr. Houston, requesting the
management of the Richmond Electric and
Railway Company TO abste the nuisance
created by the noise of the electric cars.
Besides Major Capers the following men,
bers of tho committee were present: Messrs.
Bahen, Carter III. L.. Carter 81. W., Curtis.
Brauer. Stratton, Thomas, Turpn.
The residents Of upper Main street were
largely represented and President George III.
Fisher. Secretary Andrew lizzini Mr.. Wynd-
ham r. Meredith, counsel OF the road. and a
number Of employees were present to look
after the interests of the railroad company.
Major Capers stated that the resolution had
been recently introduced and prior TO it a
petition had been presented by about three
hundred residents Of Main street.
Mr.. Houston also presented complaint
from residents on Beech street and commu-
nication was read from Secretary Candlish. Of
the loung Mems Christian Association. stating
that the Sunday afternoon meetings were
greatly disturbed by the running of the cars.
Mr.. Charles Z. Wingo appeared on behalf
of the petitioners and stated that he lived on
the line OF the railroad company. and that il
was impossible 10 20 10 sleep before midnight
and they were awakened by the noise early in
the morning In other cities the cars were
run without noise. and he felt assured that
this could be done in this city. He was as
sured by friend. who lived in Ottawa. Can
ada, that the cars IN that city did not cause
any noise.
RINGING OF TIE BELLS
Mr. r. c. Richardson, who lives on Main.
near Adams street, complained Of the noise
created by the ringing Of the bells. He
thought If one ear could be run without
noise this could be expected from the others
also. The residents. who were not electric
ians could not suggest any means by which
the evil could be remedied. but he hoped that
th4railroad authorities would find some way
ous Of the difficulty.
Mr.. l.. c. Crenshaw stated that ever since
thGcars had been running he had been I'M
able 10 sleep after half-past o'clock in the
morning. While he had been chairman Of the
committee a similar complaint had been made
in regard % the cars on the Clay street line.
Mr Fisher then appeared before the commit
tee and promised TO have the evil remedled.
and lie understood that this was done at least
temporarily.
Mr. a. b. c. Clark, who lives on Main
street near FOushee street thought that the
noise was caused by defective tracks.
Mr. Bell. another resident on Main street
who has been living on that street for fifteen
years also complained about the noise. and
stated that one time he was ready TO sue the
would remedy the evil. whereupon no gave
up the idea of going TO law.
The MACHINERY.
President Fisher, of the company, stated
that all the machinery had been purchased
during the past year. They had then bought
the very best that could be gotten. At trst
they had purchased the Sprague machines,
and later on they had bought five Westing-
house machines, which had made less noise
for the fact that the gearings were running in
oil. They were substituting the Westing-
house system at tho rate OF one system
week and within q few months all the
Sprague systems would be suppanted by the
Westinghouse system. About a year ago an
improved Sprague system had been substi-
tuted on CLAY street. The track on Main
street was as good as any IN the country. As
far as lie knew they had the very best service
in the country.
In regard to the ringing Of the bell. he
thought that some improvement could be
made. lie did not approve of the ringing of
the bells when two cars met. and he thought
IL would be sufficient 10 give merely one tap
when the corners Of streets were passed; but
the present law required the ringing Of tho
bells.
WASHINGTON CARS.
Mr.. Capers thought that the cars in Wash
ington created much less noise than those in
this CITY He called out a number Of cars and
was informed that they all were provided
with the Westinghouse system. whereupon he
declared that the company ought 70 find some
other system which caused less noise.
Mr.. Wyndham Meredith took the ground
that the electric system was still in crude
state. and that improvements were con
stantly made One of the defects was the
noise. If any other system could be sug-
gested that made less noise the company
would furnish it and equip n car with it,
provided that the seller would take 1t back II
1t should not prove 70 be superior.
Mr. John Lauer complained that 81 present
people Of a nervous disposition would not
live in ono of his houses. He related an in
stance where family who lived in one of
his houses had been compelled TO move be
fore the lease expired.
Colonel Cutshnw stated that there was no
doubt that the noise on Main street was I'M
necessary There had been one car during
the last few days which was screeching evi-
IDENTIFY matter Of repairs Several cars had
run off the track, possibly on account OF fiat
wheels. Some cars did not make as much
noise as others. but il Was evident that some
Of the machinery was out Of repair and needed
10 be remedied. The track was in a moder-
ately good condition. but at the Joints the
plates were not properly packed which
caused sOme noise. He thought the rails
should be spiked tightly and as often as pos
sible 20 the stringers. and not only IN two
OF llltt places Us III Wtb NOut W lItStIl.
Mr. Meredith thought that il was necessary
TO ring the bells when cars passed each other
in order TO avoid accidents when people jump
of cars while in motion and then attempt to
cross the opposite track.
CARS oyERrAXKD.
Mr. Ii. L. Carter thought the cars were
very frequently oyertaxed, whereby the noise
was created. He suggested that the double
track on Main street be given up. whereby
the noise could be lessened.
Captain Stratton thought Mr. Carter was
right when he complained OF the overloaded
cars.
After some further discussion. Major Capers
wanted 10 know what was TO be done with the
papers before the committee
Mr.. III. l.. Carter suggested that they be re-
ferred to Mr.. Fisher. while Captain Curtis
offered as a substitute that "A special COM
Inittee of three, with the City Engineer and
City Attorney. should take charge OF the
matter.
City Attorney Meredith thought il would
be Of greater force If the full committee took
action in the matter than 10 leave it TO a
special committee There was no one in this
city who could suggest a specific remedy
The difficulty was that the City En-
gineer had never been given an oppor-
tunity to look into the matter by visiting
other cities and seeing what was needed. The
best thing the committee could do would be
20 recommend 10 the Council 10 give the City
Engineer an opportunity 10 investigate the
matter in other cities One thing the Coun.
Gil could do was to take AWAY the charter as