Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-04

The Act Under Which a Warrant Was Is
sued Against President Griswoid.

The Act Under Which Warrant Was Is.
sued Against President Griswold.
The act under which the warrant was issued
from the Police Court yesterday charging Presi-
dent Griswold of the Aacostia street railroad
with operating one-horse cars on his roads, as
published in yesterdays STAR. was passed at
the last session of Congress, and went into effect
the first day of this month.
The act provides:
THAT after the first day of January it shall
be unlawful for any street railway company,
owning or operating any line of street railway
the greater part of which lines lies within
said city limits, to use upon such
road any one-horse cars After said
date all cars used within the said limits shall
If drawn by horse power, be of the size and
style known as two-horse cars. and each car
shall be In charge Of q conductor, and such
conductor shall not act as driver
The act further explains that the law does
not apply to companies outside the city limits
or through unimproved and sparsely settled Sec
tions Of the same. The act further provides
penalty of S25 day for each car 30 operating
and distinctly specifies that the money shall be
paid into the treasury for the use of the Dis
trict of Columbia.
Mr.. James l.. Pugh. jr.. attorney represent
ing the District in the Police Court. said to
STAR reporter this morning tina: he intended to
proceed against all railroads operating one
horse or bob tall cars in violation Of this act
Mr.. aRIswoLD IN COURT
This afternoon Mr. Griswold appeared in
court before Judge Kimball with his counsel,
Mr.. Barnard, and was ready for trial.
Counsel said he was willing to admit the
facts. de said that the railroad company
operated the small cars with two horses and a
driver, but no conductor. He called the courts
attention to the exception made by the act and
SAID he understood it was put in the act for this
particular company.
Mr.. Barnard also said that the Police Court
had no jurisdiction in the matter; that it was
civil matter and action should be brought in
the civil courts. He also claimed that the
charge should have been brought against the
company and not the individual.
Mr.. Pugh thought it was all right to charge
the president of the company. az there would
be no one to send to jail if the fine not
paid In event of the action being against the
corporation.
sHoULD HAVE BEEN AGAINST THE COMPANY.
Judge Kimball of the opinion that the
charge should be brought against the corpora
ton and not against the president or any other
official of the road.
The judge also said his first impression was
that the case should be brought in the civil
court, but as the word fine was used in the
act he thought it a matter for some considera-
ton.
The case was ended so far as the first charge
was concerned, and Mr.. Pugh will consult Mr.
HaZe1tGn about what action he will take toward
again bringing the to the attention of the
court.
WHAT MR.. GRIswOLD SAYS.
In conversation with STAR reporter upon
the subject Mr.. Griswold said: The bill con-
tains clause which provides that the law
shall not apply to any company operat-
ing street railways outside the limits of the
city of Washington or through unimproyed
and sparsely settled sections Of the same until
such time rs the Commissioners of the District
of Columbia shall deem necessary for the pub
lie needs. As you will see. that clause
Clearly exempts the Anacostia railroad
until such time the Commission
ers decide that the needs of the public warrant
a change. Ii operates its line outside of the
city of Washington and to q great degree
through sparsely settled sections. During
the summer months, when tine traffic on
the road warrants it. long cars with
conductors are run on the main line. During
the winter months there seems to be no
occasion for large cars, and as the smaller
cars fill the bill amply and do all the work
can see no necessity for change at this
time. One-half of the large cars were
taken off about the middle of November alter
NAG short cars substituted during daylight and
wIlf0e put on again at the opening of spring.
the company hopes that the increase of travel
will warrant the continuance of large cars
throughout the year" The company fully real
ICES that good service means good returns.