Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-07
MUST OPERATE THEIR LINES.
Street Railway Companies Must Comply
With the Law.
Orders Sent to the AnncOstia and the
EckingtOn Roads by the Com
m1ssiOnern.

The street railroad companies of Wash
ington must comply with the law. This is
what the Commissioners insist upon, and
even though 1t involves action in the courts
to forfeit a charter.
Recently it was brought to their attention
that the Anacostia and Potomac Railroad
Company had ceased to operate its branch
line to the Congressional cemetery. In
spector Beggs was sent to Investigate the
situation, and reported Saturday that It
was true that the railroad had ceased to
operate the branch In question, and that
President Griswold declared that the tracks
were so covered with dirt and snow that 1t
was impossible to run car over them, and
that anyhow the road didn't pay its run
ming expenses. Later In the day Mr.. Girls
void appeared at the District building and
corroborated what Inspector Beggs had re-
ported, and did not seem inclined to DO
anything to help matters.
The Commissioners also received infor-
nation that the lexington and Soldiers
Home Railroad Company was not operating
it's North Capitol street branch.
The Commissioners have notified these
companies to continue the service on these
roads Immediately or they will be proceed
ed against.
One Citizens Complaint.
n CitlZeH WHO uses tuS CchSkSiy
Of the Anacostia railroad almost daily
when it is running in discussing the situa-
ton with a reporter of The Star today
said:
'"The citizens who reside beyond 18th
street, and who depend upon this railroad.
are up In arms over the stoppage OF the
poor, miserable little car that Piled IT'S
weary way over the line about once an a.,
hour from 9 o'clock in the morning until
about shutdown. When this road was built
there was no opposition to it, for we were
told what fine facilities we were to get. AT
first the cars ran fairly well. Then the
service fell off, and instead of every other
car on the main line going all the way
through to the work house gate, we had TO
content oC1 selves with two cars That ran
from the intersection of the main line to
the work house gate every half hour Then
the hours were cut off, and like poor,
weak child the cars were put to bed at
SHUTDOWN. and If any of us happened to go
to the theater we were compelled to foot
it, Things went from bad to worse. After
a while ere car was taken Off, and the
poor, miserable, dirty one that remained
made trip about once an hour until sun
down. 1t seemed as If big rain or lit
tie cold weather would work Its disap-
pearance. We have suffered In silence, Dut
there is an end to everything. even human
endurance, and now We demand that some
thing be done.
Time and time again we have appealed
to the Commissioners. They make big
bluff about sending an inspector out, and
then we hear nothing more about 1t. Thls
company obtained valuable franchise and
is not giving the citizens any kind of decent
service. Let The Star take up the fight
and am certain We will get results.
why the Authorities Go Slow.
A prominent District official who has
given this subject of street railroads con-
siderable time in investigation. said he I'M
derstood why it was the Commissioners did
not resort to drastic methods to compel a
strict observance of the railroad charters.
There were instances every day or so where
railroads violated the terms of their char
tiers, but the authorities, pro1ting by the
experience of the Metropolitan railroad.
were slow to act. 1t was a difficult matter
to take away a charter. He thought a
regulation should be passed or better still
a provision incorporated in every railroad
bill providing that in case of violation OF
charter the offending road should pay fine
of $500. This would remedy all complaints
and be only just to the travelling public.