Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-23
THE ALL-NIGHI CAR SERVICE
President Hurts Interview Dissected and
Freely Commented Upon.

To the Eliior OF The Evening star;
il seeEIs hardly proper 10 let the statements
made in Saturdays STAR by President Hurt of
the Washington and Georgetown Railroad
Company in opposition to the bill to provide
for an all might street car service pass without
comment Mr.. Hurt saws there is TO reasona-
bic demand for the service. l presume that
the citizens OF the District are more compe-
tent than himself to pass upon this question.
According to his own statement, during the
first month OF the operation of the service last
year nearly 5000 passengers were carried on
the cars between the hours Of and a. m. This
may not be considered "a reasonable demand"
By President Hurt. but I am quite sure the
citizens of the District will think otherwise.
He SAYS that the company lost IA cents Oh each
trip. which, on the half hour schedule. will
impose upon the company the grieyous tax Of
S224 per day in consideration for the
accommodation OF the people who toll for the
good Of the great majority while they
sleep. To make his position logical President
Hurt should stop the cars during some OF the
midday hours in the summer months. when
the trahic Is light. as any one can see. He
never appears TO be troubled by any sense OF
the obligations TO the public Of the corporation
which has derived its vast wealth from the
people anC received a gift the valuable
franchise. for which great sums of money are
paid in other cities. 1 am told that the stock Of
this Company, par value $50. ON which only go
was paid In. Is now worth about $3.50 per share.
Mr.. Hart also complains that the night service
Is hard on the drivers and conductors. Ii Is
sato 10 assume that there are many hundreds
of men in this District VINO would cheerfully
accept these places L properly paid. In reply
TO another objection 1t Is hard to see how
horse cars passing at Intervals OF one-haf hour
Can greatly interfere with the work Of cleaning
the eonduits; certainly the whole line is not
cleaned al once.
Mr.. Hurt also makes an unpleasant reflection
upon the character Of passengers who patronize
the line during the brief operation of the night
service II his statements on that point carry
absolute verify. l have no doubt the evil he
Complains OF would speedily be cured by the
police department were its attention drawn 10
the matter. Mr. hart speaks of an under
standing that WOuld permit of the discon-
tinuaDee Of the night service Ia the face OF
SPECIFIC pledges 10 Congress No doubt the
committees OF Congress Will be curious enough
To ASK him for further information on that
point. and learn BY what authority the prIyi-
leges OF the citizens OF tGs District are barIered
away without their knowledge. II IL pleasant
To witness the resignation with which he speaks
of his willingness 10 comply with other amend
mtnts. such the permission to extend the
lines to the AqueCuct br,dce-SEich, OF course,
would rebound to tue benefit of the company.
In conclusion. desire 10 call this matter to
the attention o; the property owners OF the East
sad West Ends- Perhaps they may not often
be Obliged TO avail themselves OF this night
service. but little reflection will convince
them ,hat-theIr property Will acquire all addi-
tioRal value by me removal oil the objection
frequently made that their houses are 100 re-
mote from the business portions OF the city for
the use OF persons obliged 10 walk home al
night through the dark PARKS L. NJ. HOOP.