Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-19
WILL LOOK INTO 1T.
The Commissioners Receive the Ana
costa Citizcns' Committee.

The Commissioners Receive the Ana
costa Citizens Committee.
"All we ask. gentlemen, is that you en-
force the law. If the act Of Congress
chartering the Anacostia railroad does not
provide for two-horse cars, with modern
conveniences, we will gracefully submit,
but we think it does, and come here this
morning to urge you to compel the rail-
road to abide by its charter
This was the plea the committee of citi-
zeEs appointed at a recent mass meeting
in Anacostia made before the Commission
ers this morning at a special hearing ar
ranged for it.
Chairman Bryan, after introducing the
other members Of the committee, said they
did not come with set speeches and care
fully-prepared arguments. but only to pre-
sent to the Commissioners a petition from
the earnest people Of Anacostia. He then
invited the secretary. Mr.. Henry johnson,
to read the petition, which asked the Com
missioners to rescind the permission given
the Anacostia company to run bobtail cars.
Mr.. johnson supplemented the reading Of
the petition with the statement that he
was not only a citizen of Anacostia but a
stockholder in the Anacostia railroad, and
what he said was in the interest of the
people of Anacostia.
'Mr. Griswold. the president Of the road,
falls back, gentlemen. on the authority
granted by the Commissioners to operate
his road with one-horse cars, when we in
SlSt upon Delter accommodations, said Mr.
johnson. Treat us fairly, and let us
stand or. fall by strict enforcement of
the law. Withdraw the special legislation
which permitted this road to operate its
cars without conductors, and with only one
horse, and we will take care of the future"
He then read the petition, which sets
forth the reasons heretofore published in
The Star.
Commissioners Ross Asks Questions.
In the discussion which followed Com
missioner Ross said he understood that
the privilege of allowing the road to oper-
ate with one-horse cars was granted some
time ago by the engineer department after
an investigation of the cempany's books
which demonstrated. he understood, the
| inability of the company to do any better
Commissioner Ross said that at a former
hearing it was suggested that committee
representing the citizens examine the books
of the company. He desired to know if
that had been done.
Mr.. Bryan said he had applied to Mr.
Griswold for the information. but it was
denied him. The road. he said, did not
want the citizens to know. He was una
BILE to get anything material. Continuing
he said: "Anacostia has nothing to hope for
! from the present management Of the road
We had better wait a year without any
| facilities and then get what we want than
| to accept that which would not only be un-
| lawful, but detrimental to the best inter-
| ests of the citizens Of Anacostia. Mr..
GriSwold has stated that the road does not
pay to operate; that the receipts have not
increased in proportion to the population.
| This is easily explained. The travelling
public would rather walk in to the cable
| cars than to be subjected to the poor facili-
| ties offered by the Anacostia railroad. 1t
| is the policy that has been pursued by this