Evening star., 1895-08-22
STREET CAR STOP S
A Hearing by the Commissioners on the
Subject Today.
Most of the Presidents Protested
Against Any Change In the
Present Regulations.

In amending the police regulations the
Commissioners thought 1t would be good
opportunity to change the law regarding
the stoppage of street cars. At the present
time, with the exception of two railroads,
all of the companies stop their cars at the
far side of the street. 1t Is the desire of
the Commissioners to make the rule uni
form and with this in view gave hear
ing to the representatives of the several
street railroads this morning to get their
views on the subject. The large majority
favored stopping on the far side of the
street President Phillips of the Metropol-
itan, and President Baker of the Columbia
thought the near side the proper place for
the cars to stop.
President Dunlop's Views.
President Dunlop of the Washington and
Georgetown Railroad Company was the
first one to speak. He was opposed, he
said, to any change. The public had long
been accust omed to the cars stopping on
the far side of the street, and he thought
any change in the rule would be detriment-
al to the interests of the public. 1t would
increase the liability to accident, and bring
about great confusion. If the railroads
were compelled to stop on the near side OF
the street the trucks and heavy wagons
would not be slow to take advantage OF
the situation and insist upon crossing In
front of the car
Attorney Ridout Converted.
Mr. John Ridout, attorney for the Eek
ington Railroad Company, said before he
arrived at the Office this morning he was
in favor of having all cars stop on the near
side of the street. He had been converted,
however, and believed that the only proper
place for the cars to stop was on the far
side of the street. To change the custom
suddenly would be productive Of much con-
fusion. If the drivers of carriages knew of
the rule which made the stop at the
near side of street, it would lull them
into security, and they would take chances
that might result badly for them. Then
again in defending suits for damages
against the company the great question
would be, did ths motofman start when
an approaching vehicle was so near that an
accident was inevitable?" Ii this rule Is
changed there will be many accidents. He
represented, ne said, the lexington road in
the hearing, as that was the only line be-
longing to the company which used rapid
transit. although the Belt line would short
ly he fully equipped.
Engineer CARL of the washington and
Georgetown, Superintendent Claude of the
Rock Creek railroad, H. T. P,lrdy Of the
Georgetown and Tenleytown railroad. and
Superintendent Todd of the lexington rail-
road also spoke against any change in the
present arrangement.
Mr.. Baker Prefer. the Near Side.
President Baker of the Columbia railroad
favored stopping on the near side of the
street, as he considered it safer.
Commissioner Ross stated tha. in Balti-
more, Philadelphia and Pittsburg the rule
for stopping on the near side of street
was universal.
President Dunlop also called attention to
the urgent need of 1agmen at the intersec-
ton of 9TH and B streets. 9th and PennSyl-
mi a q nd a T. G h
west. The Washington and Georgetown
Railroad Company he said, had already ap-
pointed the flagmen. ard the company was
waiting for the Metropolitan company to do
the same. 1t was unfair to make the Wash
ington and Georgetown railroad bear ais
the expense. He said President Phillips had
refused to appoint fiagmen. The Commis
sioners promised to look into the matter