Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-11
7 HAT FL AG N AN
Hearing BY the District Commission
srs on the Subject.
PRESIDENT PHILLIPS OBJECTIONS
Attorney.:svi'son Gives information
From Many Cities.
NO DECISION GIVEN

The Commissioners today granted fur
Their hearing to President Phillips and At
torney Nathaniel Wilson Of the Metropoli-
tan Railway Company, when the discus
sion of the Representatives of the company
In opposition to the recent order OF the
Commissioners. directing that a flagman he
stationed at the intersection Of the Metro
politan electric road with the Capital Trac-
ton cable line 1t 7th and B streets was re-
nswed.
The company contends that the regula-
ti"n. which Is substitute for section %
OF the police regulations, will defeat the
object which the order of the Commits
stoners Is Intended to fulfill. In the opln-
ion Of President Phillips the system Of flag
signals for cars is antiquated.
President Phillips proposed a new system.
which he claimed is far more desirable and
practicable than the old. The proposed
plan, as made known by the reading by
MF. Wilson Of the rules now IN force on
the Metropolitan road, and cOncurred in by
other intersecting roads. consists Of a Sc
RES OF bell signals to be operated by the
motormen or gripmen, as the case may
be. The men who control the movement Of
the cars. according to the system advocated
by President Phillips, on approaching an
!ntersecting road communicate by means OF
the bell, one sounding single tap and the
other replying with two strokes on the
gong. The motornan desiring the right of
way next announces his purpose of proceed
ing, and the man running the car In the
intersecting road gives assent.
The system of flags and lights. so argued
Attorney Wilson. is dangerous, in addition
to being undesirable. as it imposes on one
ran the authority and responsibility Of the
running of four cars in different directions
Commissioner Truesdell interrupted to
suggest that it seemed w:sest to depend
ri fQ n ho
upon four. as would be the case under the
proposed plan.
With four bells changing simultaneously,
said Mr.. Truesdell. it would appear plaus-
ihle that misunderstanding would be likely
to follow.
The men running the cars. said Mr.. Will
son in reply, are in a far better position TO
Judge of the conditions than a solitary
faeman.
You had a collision on your road yester-
day. said one OF the Commissioners, turn
ing to President Phillips. and the answer
vas that the accident would not have
Cured had the proposed system Of he'll sig
rails been followed at the time.
After further discussion on the posi-
Dillty OF acc dents at street crossings, Mr..
Truesdell put the question-'Isn't it true
mat IN al eases where two or more rail-
roads make use OF the same tunnel ore
ran controls the Si2nals?"
Yes because he controls the entrance
to the tunnel. The situation is entirely
Inherent so far as street railroad croSsin IS
are concerned"
IF the flag signal system is dangerous,
as you claim. was then asked. why is it
that the Capital Traction Company is will
ing 10 station a fagman at 9TH and Il
strcets?'
The Capital Traction Company has made
mistakes before" volunteered President
Ph1lilps, In conclusion. but presume they
favor the flag system, because under it
they are not compelled to slow down at
crossings. and thereby skin the rope"
Attorney Wilson read communications
from the authorities of a number Of large
clues or the United States. 1t was shown
that In the majority of these cities no
ordinances exist compelling the street rail-
way companies to maintain fagmen at in
tersections. The matter, 1t was shown by
the letters. Is usually left to the discretion
of the companies
MIR. Wilson went on to say that REPLIES
received from ninety-Six railroads through
out the country showed that about half
that number require their cars to come to
q full stop at intersections with other
roads. and follow the bell signals. the same
as Is proposed by the Metropolitan COM
pany here
The hearing occupied about two hours.
and was brought to a close by Commission
er ROSS promising to give the matter care
r f%i 1ohsldepation REPRESENTATIVES Of the
tendance during the discussion.
Policeman Appointed.
JohH e. CIagsett was this afternoon ap-
pointed an additional private Of the metro
poiitan police force for three years. for
duty on NJ street northwest from 9th to
3lst streets. to serve without compensation
therefor from the District.
Hours Mt Bathing Beach.
The Commissioners this afternoon signed
an order to make formal the approval
given yesterday to the recommendation OF
the superintendent of the bathing beach
that from this time forward the beach be
open for entries from o'clock am. until
Z o'clock pm. excepting one hour at noon
and half hour at 5 o'clock the ladies'
mornings, from to 8 en- Mondays. We'd
nesdays and Fridays. to be continued and
the pay Of the employees be raised
No Lamps for HilIxdnle,
The Commissioners have notified Mr.. Il.
W. Leach of Hillsdale DC, that It is at
present impossible to erect any lamps in
that locality. Mr.. Leach and others re-
Gently requested that the lamps be placed
IN position on Sumner and Howard ave-
nues, Hillsdale. Continuing, the Commits
Sloners say that number of gas lamps
will be discontinued on account of the es-
Enlistment of electric lamps and should
II is number prove sufficient the question
OF placing some Of these discontinued lamps
In Hi!lsdale will be considered.
Miscellaneous.
]. r. Rabbit has been appointed an addi-
tonal private of the Metropolitan police
force for three years for duty with the
Washington Humane Society, to serve with
cut compensation therefor from the Dis
trct
Charges against Private Samuel c. Bur-
rows of the Metropolitan police force, tried
July - last for conduct unbecoming an OIL
Ger, have been dismissed.
NEW PACIFIC COAST LINE.
An English Syndicate Lenses Mext.
can Railway.
BAN FRANCISCO. Cal. August 1.-An