Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-20
Commissioners Said to Be Afraid to
Remove the Trolley Nuisance.
REASONS FOR This SENTIMENT
There Are Liable to Be Trolley
Men on Congressional Committees.
INVESTIGATION MAY FOLLOW

There is dearth of trolley news at the
Commissioners office these days, and
every one seems to be waiting for the
Judge of the Police Court to dispose of the
motion of the lexington Railroad Com
pany to quash the Indictment brought
against it for maintaining an obstruction
to the streets in the shape of trolley poles
and overhead wires. While on the surface
of affairs everything appears tranquil. the
undercurrent, which represents the trolley
interests, is doing wonderful things.
No matter what may be the outcome of
the case now before the Police Court, 1t
is stated on an authority that cannot be
questioned that the Commissioners have
determined not to resort TO force and pull
down the poles and wires. They prefer
to move carefully in the matter and not
offend the trolley interests. which will be
represented on several important COM
mittees in Congress at its next session.
gentleman who is close to the Commis
sfoners and who understands all about the
trolley question said 10 a Star reporter to-
day:
"StrODg InAuences' ns an Excuse.
1.-The Commissioners are certainly to be
pitied in this matter. On one hand public
sentiment demands the removal Of the
overhead trolley. and the law is with them.
On the other hand they are beset with
strong influences, which 1t is almost impos-
sibie to combat. These influences are far
reaching and may seriously affect the Dis
trict's interests, when 1T comes to future
appropriations I would not attribute i'm
proper motives to the Commissioners. On
the contrary, am convinced they are hon.
est in their intentions to do what is just,
but they certainly show lamentable weak
ress when it comes to enforcing law. 1t
was stated to me several days ago that the
Commissioners were afraid of being brought
up before Congress for an explanation of
their action, If they tore down the wires
and removed the poles. on the ground that
while the case was pending they had no
right to interfere. How about the inverse
of this proposition? Why will not they
be equally liable to be called up for not
er forcing law of Congress? There Is no
doubt that Congress knew what it was
about when it enacted that law. The troll
ley interests in and out of Congress did
their utmost to prevent such iegisiation,
but Congress in unmistakable terms put lts
foot down on the trolley.
A Very Pertinent Question.
Suppose the Commissioners are asked
why it was that this law was not enforced.
what defense will they have? Surely they
cannot claim that the appeal which the
railroad company took from the decision
of IL court dissolving the Injunction which
the company had brought against the Com
missioners acted as stay. The attorney
for the District, l understand, has settled
that long ago. when he stated that there
was nothing in that appeal which acted as
a stay. 1t is my opinion that the Com
m;ssioners should act at once and forcibiy
In this matter. They should remember that
the trolley has not very many friends IN
Congress, and some of the friends of good
government might want an inquiry made as
to why the Commissioners failed to en-
force the law"