Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-28

After long silence, the feeble voice Of that
decidedly peculiar being. the trolley ad-
vocate. once more disturbs the unoffend-
ing atmosphere. threatens violence to the
honest sentiment of a vast majority Of
those who reside in the city Of Washington,
and says several extremely absurd things.
That some Of the local street railway COM
panies would endeavor to secure Congress
sional consent to the equipment ami opera
ton Of their road according to the cheap
and nasty system OF electrical propulsion
has long been known to The Star and to
other real friends of the National Capital.
Again and again has there been denial of
rumors that such a step was contemplated.
but no one placed any confidence in the
extremely ''fishy' explanations that were
made. The schemers were known to be at
work. and II was only a question of time
when their efforts would have to become
public through their own declarations. The
Abatement 10 now made, through a morn
Ing contemporary, that the lexington and
SoldierS Home and the Belt Line Com
pany-which Is practically one organiza-
tfon possessing two charters-seeks per-
mission to use the trolley. and has made
up its mind that nothing else will suit its
purpose. The conclusion is not surprising.
for the trolley offers more proat to the
company than any other known electric
motor. There could be no possible dispute
over the question OF cost were the trolley
advocates to content themselves with stat
Ing that they desire the trolley because it
II the least costly as to construction, but
this particular advocate goes to the ex-
IRENE Of saying: I'VE have sent experts
abroad to examine what is known as the
Buda Pesth system. and we also had ex-
perfence with underground wires in Chi
cago. and the reports were very unfavor-
able. The eject OF the weather on the
wires underground Is akin to a man with
consumption. The second year IN use the
wires are injured, and the collapse comes
the third winter. The system Is not only
unsatisfactory. but very costly. and we do
not want IT. Such a statement as the one
quoted IL unadulterated nonsense. For
more years than the time allowed for col
lapse the Buda-Pesth system has been sue
cessfully operated upon the leading system
OF one Of the great capitals Of Europe. The
satisfa ction of the public with 1t is indicat-
ed by the large passenger traffic which 1t
has enjoyed in comparison with It's rival,
and that its operators are satisfied with II
IS indicated by the repeated extension of
the trackage upon which this motor Is
Nsco- Al iAspeSbon OF our own local I'm
foreground sysrem on L street will demon
strats to any disinterested person the sue
csssfui working under our very eyes of
this form Of propulsion. There 10 no point
TO the proposition to compare the relative
damage done to Passengers by collisions
with the trolley and cable car. both in this
city and in Baltimore. The trolley i'm this
city Il operated over but a few squares on a
comparatively unused avenue. while the
cable road runs through the heart of the
city, north and south and east and west, on
rhoroughfares that at times are very much
crowded. Obstructing poles and changing
wires will cut small figure In such a COM
parison. but they are Of considerable i'm
portanee when the whole problem is being
worked out. No sensible community wants
the trolley. Congress has declared against
II In this city. and will undoubtedly repeat
m declaration IL the time comes to speak
again.