Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18
CITIZENS OF BRIGHTwOOD.
The Association Held q Special Meeting
Last Night.


PETITION TO THE COMMISSIONERS ADOPTED
SETTING FORTH THEIR GRIEVANCES IN THE
MATTER OF TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES AND
WHAT TREY DEMAND ADOPTED.
Agent Key Of the Humane Society attended
the special meeting Of the Citizens Association
Of Brightwood avenue and he enjoyed q de-
lightful ride on what is promised to be pneu-
matte railroad in the near future. There were
two animals attached to the car, one of them
being named SANDY"
The car was scheduled to leave for Bright
wood at o'clock. and it left about that time.
SANDY" and his partner went along all right
for some distance. and with some exertion the
first heavy hill was assembled, and along the
level track the car went without interruption,
but when the next upgrade was reached old
Sandy" refused to work, as Agent Key
thought from exhaustion, and he handled the
reins while the driver put his shoulder to the
public vehicle and started it upon its journey.
After that the horses failed to get out Of q
slow walk, and it took nearly one hour to 60
over the three miles of track.
President Norris called the meeting to order
and as the meeting was a special one Secretary
keene did not read the minutes Of the last
meeting
President Norris called for the report Of the
0AtCutlNc COLuulttee on Tue IesOlutOn Ouereu
at the last meeting by Mr.. Woods, which was
directed to the Commissioners Of the District,
calling their attention to the question Of rail-
road facilities.
COMMUNICATION TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
The secretary read the resolution as amended
by the committee and after discussion in
which Mr.. Fields, Mr.. Branson. Mr.. Kcene, Mr..
Galley, Mr.. Robinson and others participated
the communication was made to read as follows:
BRI8HTwooD, d. c., April II, 1891.
To the Honorable Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia.
We, the undersigned citizens along Bright
wood avenue, respectfully represent: First
That section 10 of the charter of the Bright
wood Railway Company requires said company
to place cars Of the best construction on its
railway and run them thereon as often as the
public convenience may require, in accordance
with a schedule fixed by the company and ap-
proved by the Commissioners of the District
Of Columbia. Second-That said company does
not run its cars in accordance with its pub
lished schedule; that on two-thirds Of the trips
the cars are fifteen or twenty minutes late,
frequently half hour late. Such irregularity
in running the cars causes great inconvenience
to the citizens along Brightwood avenue; that
fails to accommodate iaboring men and
business men. The first car should
leave Brightwood at o'clock. One car
at 1855 I'm. wholly fails to accommodate the
public, as from thirty to ffty persons
ohsiness men and school children--leave home
at that time of day. One car should leave Bright
wood at ESQ a. m. and another at $40 am. !;
that the last car leaves Pomery street Gnstead
OF Florida avenue. as required by the charter)
for Brightwood at 10 o'clock pm, while public
convenience demands that car should start at
11:30 clock.
Third-That the cars are unfit for use, the
fanges of the wheels being SO worn that they
jump from the track many times each trip;
that the horses are unable to draw the cars and
the passengers are therefore frequently COM
PEELED to get out and help push the cars up hill
in order to ride down on the other side.
Fourth-That there are no passenger rooms
along the line Of said railway, required by
section eleven of the charter, and the passen-
gers while waiting for the cars are therefore
compelled to stand in the cold, wind. snow rain
and sun. Fifth-That the cars start from and
run to Pomeroy street, while the charter
quires them to start from and run to Florida
avenue boundary, and thus the passengers
are required to walk a distance of
they have paid their fare to ride.
Sixth-That the switches on portion of the
track are operated with difficulty and on the
remainder Of the road are insufficient in num-
Der. SO that the cars are obliged to jump the
track in the attempt to make schedule time.
Seventh-That the space between the rails is
not paved as it should be, but is filled with
earth and gravel, which alternate between mud
and dust, to the great Inconvenience Of the
passengers.
WHAT THE CITIZENS AsE.
Therefore your petitioners respectfully re-
quest that, if it be within your power, you take
such steps as may be necessary to compel said
railway company
First. To run its cars in accordance with a
Second. To provide good cars and good
horses.
Third. To erect such passenger rooms along
its line as the public need requires.
Fourth. To start the cars from and run them
to Florida avenue.
Fifth. To put track and switches in good
condition.
Sixth. To pave between the rails.
Seventh. To complete the railway to the Dis
trict line, in compliance with the charter.
ARRANGING A SCHEDULE.
The question of arranging schedule to an
mex to the petition was next raised and during
the discussion Mr.. Branson remarked that once
when the question of better railroad facilities
was under discussion and threat was made to
go to Congress better service WAS put on and
that service was kept up until Congress adj
journed. The service also adjourned"
added Mr.. Branson.
AGENT KEYS ADDRESS.
While the schedule was being arranged Agent
Key addressed the association. He started out
by telling of n case in which he was interested
some years ago. 1t was one Of Brightwoods
horses. The Animal was q very poor one, and
was worth at least 10 or Is cents. bow who
lived in Brightwood driving the horse,
which weighed $50 pounds. He said he was
moved to tears by the pitiful story of the boy
and afterward he met the boys brother and he
was driving a good horse. Agent Key told those
in the room not to begin with the railroad but
begin within their Deighbors, and see that they
have good horses. He advised the members of
the association to join the Humane Society and
praised the people OF Anacostia who had
formed an association of their own. Continu-
ing, he told of the work he had done on rail-
roads in taking horses from the cars and leav-
ing them on the tracks.
Tomorrow morning." he said, 81 have a re-
port to make to the president Of the Humane
Society and that report will be made about this
road. / came out here to hear your complaint,
but found a complaint before / reached here,
and tomorrow morning l will swear out war;
rant for the road at the Police Court. Poor
animals, he added, Twill bankrupt any cor
poration even u railway" At the conclusion
of his remarks Agent Key was loudly ap-
plauded.
The question relating to the railroad sche-
dule was again mentioned and the superin-
tendent Of the car stables Mr.. Lowry, who
was present, was asked for some information,
but he declined, AS he said he had no authority
to speak for the company.
Secretary Keene said he had seen Mr.. Earl OF
the pneumatic road, who appeared surprised
to learn that nothing had been done toward
improving the service. Mr.. Earl, he said, told
him that he had seen Mr. Pearson who had