The Washington times., 1894-07-03
TO The CENTER OF THE CITY
Petition for the Extension Of the
Brightwood Railway.
CITIZENS FAVOR BUT ONE FARE
Elaborate Statistical Table showing the
Practice in sevsnty-6ve Chief Cities.
Washington Behind Them in Many Par
tieulars- Overhead Trolley Opposed.

The Citizens Association OF Brightwood
avenue. by Messrs. W. A. Galley and A. l.
Keene, its president and secretary, respect
lively. has prepared petition, supplemented
by al elaborate statistical table, for presenta-
ton to the District Committee Of the United
States Senate, asking among ether things
that the Brightwood Railroad Company may
be permitted to extend its tracks into the
city, and that the street railways be required
payment Of two fares for a single trip between
tie city and the suburbs may be avoided.
The petition is as follows:
latter communicating with the mayors Of
eigbty-five cities in the United States, the ap-
pended statistics were received from seventy
five OF them: Twenty-Five cities have forty
seven wholly suburban street roads, OF which
twenty-six enter the hearts OF the cities on
their extended tracks. four enter on other
roads. and thirteen transfer to city roads.
"Of the thirteen that transfer to city roads,
five do SO without additional charge, and six
charge an additional fare OF five CENTS The
tracks OF 12l city roads have been extended
into the suburbs. OF this number thirty-three
charge an additionalfare In the majority Of
cases the additional charge is when the roads
~-As~@@1
miles.
''Six cities have belt roads, three Of them
being steam and three electric. Nashville
has clearing house system, whereby all
roads. except two. enter union station in
the heart OF the city. where q transfer is given
which entities the holder to continuous ride
to any portion of the city or suburbs without
additional charge. Only a few cities have
the antiquated horse or mule car.
From the above it will be seen that the
District, the capital Of the nation. is behind
other cities in a great many particulars.
''In the majority of the cities in all sections
OF the country suburban street railway facil-
tiles are enjoyed. and of the number major
ity enter the heart OF the city without addi-
tional cost, twenty-six entering on their own
tracks.
'.The people living along the Brightwood
street railroad are dropped at Florida avenue,
and are required to pay an additional fare TO
any portion of the city or else walk, while
the lexington road carries her passengers
to the business portions Of the city on her
own tracks, and even to Georgetown by
transfer. 1t can be readily seen by casual
observer, or by referring to the company's
annual report of 1898. that this section justly
claims better treatment, as its passenger re-
sources from Florida avenue to and beyond
the District line are greater than those of any
other section.
1--WE therefore respectfully urge that the
Brightwood Railroad Company be permitted
to extend its tracks TO the center OF the city,
and. to accomplish that object. that the plan
OF the Traction Railroad Company and its
bill before Congress may receive your sane
tion, together with the proposed branch of
the Brightwood Railroad Company down New
Jersey avenue to the Capitol.
''We also most respectfully urge that all
new roads and all roads changing their sys-
tens OF traction be required to adopt such
system OF underground electric propulsion as
can be used by suburban trolley roads. We
are not favorable to the extension of the over
head trolley system within the city limits.
''As citizens OF the suburbs we feel that we
have right TO claim passage to the heart Of
the city OF Washington by continuous ride
for one fare.
.'We would recommend to your careful con-
sideration the clearinghouse system now in
vogue in Nashville. Tenn, which we consider
the best solution of the transfer question. The
universal transfer system is emin, ntly unjust.
and would mean death to all small city roads
or to suburban roads, especially the Bright
wood road
Hoping that you will act favorably upon
our petition. whereby large suburban popu-
lation may be enabled to reach their offices
and places of business and avoid the present
unjust discrimination or tax, we will ever
pray, etc"