Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-09

iting just that very thing
Engineer Commissioner Powell stated
that this matter had been the subject of
several discussions by the Commissioners
and they had decided, after hearing Presi-
dent Griswold ana otherwise making them
selves acqu ainted with the affairs of the
company, that the road could not be oper-
ated with two horses and rather than de-
prive this citizens of Anacostia of the SER
vice, poor 1t was, they had decided to
allow the company to operate the cars with
single horses. 1t was suggested that the
law on the subject be read, for the pur-
pose of determining the Commissioners
power to waive the provisions of the act
Commission er Ross read as follows:
The Law Read.
THAT after the LIST day Of January 1893,
1t stal be unlawful for any street railway
company owning or operating any line of
street railway within the limits of the city
Of Washington, or the greater part of
which 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
style and size known as two-horse cars,
and each car shall be in charge of a con-
ductor, and such conductor shall not act
as driver; provided. this act shall not apply
to any company operating street railways
outside the limits of the city OF Washing
ton, or through unimproved or sparsely
settled sections of the same, until such
time as the Commissioners of the District
of Columbia shall deem necessary for the
public needs
ANY railroad company violating the pro-
visions of this act shall be subject to a fine
OF SO per day for each car, and for every
day 1t may be SO opera ted, to be recover
able by action instituted in the name of
the commissioners of the District of CO.
lumbia in any court of competent jurisdic-
ton within the District, and all fines col
lected on such account shall. when col
lected. be paid into the treasury for the
Of tt,1I A;-t
by made the duty OF the Commissioners of
said District to see that this act is strictly
enforced
No Good Reason.
A member of the committee stated there
was no good reason why the law in this
regard had not been enforced 1t could not
be claimed that the territory traversed by
the road was sparsey settled, unless per-
haps that portion crossing the bridge was
referred to. and it could not be expected
that the people would build houses on canal
boats. This cutting off of railroad facilities
In Anacostia greatly injured the town. He
was convinced that the road was being i'm
properly managed The poor drivers suf-
fered a result.
Commissioner Truesdell admitted that
even Sl5O per day was not enough to pay
a driver Of Il horse car. But what was
there to be done? Surely the gentlemen did
not desire the road thrown into the hands
of receiver. No good could possibly come
from such action. The best thing for the
&C mmittee to do was to appoint a commit
tee to investigate the finances of the road.
He understood President GriSwold would
supply all needed information.
Mr. Gray set forth that the citizens of
Ahacostia, aside from their individual inter
est in street car transportation, We're solicit
tous OF the poor street drivers.
If it was true that the road was running
at loss why not reduce the number of
cars and pay the drivers more wages? AS
Tar as he was concerned ne would prefer to
see only ten cars running with the drivers
being paid 81 per day than to see twenty
cars running With the drivers receiving but
81 per day. He said Mr.. Griswold told him
some time ago he was doing everything in
his power to keep the road alive.
1T would be much better to take that
kindly interest in the poor drivers. and keep
them alive" interjected President Law
renee of the Street Railroad Union.
Suggestion Adopted.
In the conversation which followed the
road was roundly scored
Commissioner Ross suggested that the
association appoint committee to confer
with President Griswold upon the financial
questions involved, and report the result of
their labors to the Commissioners This
was considered good idea, and the hear
ing closed.
Directors Resolution.
The following is the resolution passed
this afternoon at the meeting of the board
OF directors of the railroad company, all
the members EXCEPT one being present, and
all voting in The Affirmative:
Resolved That the board of directors
unanimously ndorse the action of the pres
fdenr in declining to increase the wages of
drivers above the scale accepted October,
1894 and the same will be continued until
increased receipts warrant increase of