Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-30
a Public Calamity.

The fire that burned the power house of
the Capital Traction Company last night
was a great public calamity. 1t destroyed
vast sums in value, paralyzsd for the time
an extensive system of rapid traction af
fecting the convenience of many thousands.
ard directly deprived hundreds of men and
women of employment. Fortunately no
lives were lost, ard in this the city is to be
congratulated. but judged by its other ef-
fects ii was the most disastrous conhagra-
ton that has visited the capital in years.
The Knox fire swept away the property of
many families and took human life, but
il old not have so far-reaching an effect
upon the city's industries as this, which
completely closes a score more of manu-
featuring and commercial establishments.
All estimates of the damage done by the
fire are necessarily incomplete at present
The exact financial loss will probably never
be accurately known. for there is to be in
cluGed in this sum the losses sustained by
those men who derived employment both
from the street railroad company and from
the various business enterprises that were
housed in this great power station. With
commendable energy. however. the man
ayers Of the company have set to work 10
repair the damage. and it is gratifying to
observe how speedily temporary means of
transportation were provided for the many
thousands of patrons of this system of
lines The public sympathy for the COM
pany is now at ST CHI stage. owing to the
great disaster that was apparently I'M
avoidable. that there will be patient toler-
ance for the primitive methods afforded
during the period that must elapse before
the road is again in full working order on
a rapid trar sit basis.
The situation suggests forcibly the adj
visibility of immediate step toward a
change in the motive power employed by
this corporation. The ill wind of last night
should be turned to advantage. For some
time Fast IL has been apparent that the
cable system was not all that the Capital
traction Companys opportunities and
necessities demanded. The striking success
Of the undergroL nd electric plant on 9th
and F streets demonstrated that since the
cable was installed a better power that
would be acceptable to the people of Wash.
iEston had been perfected. The possible
ties for higher speeds, increased head
way ard other manifest advantages have
long been plain 10 railway officials, public
authorities and citizens alike. and 1t has
been freely asserted that in time this great
Urban system would be compelled to change
its methods
Such a change. however, would necessitate
the temporary use of horses, for which
legislation might be necessary and for
which there would. under ordinary cir
cumstances. be little public tolerance A
most disastrous fire has now occurred
sweeping away the power plant and COM
peliing the complete re-erection not only of
the building but of the engines. boilers and
other appliances. for supplying the motive
power This work cannot well be done
within period of many weeks and mean
while the avenue and 14th street lines must
remain on horse basis. If ever the motive
power is to be changed this is the time. |
When the public sympathy is enlisted in
beifaif of the corporation. and the chances
OF alternating patronage during the transit
ton period are reduced to a minimum.
1t Is to be hoped that the building, to be
erecte' after the ruins have been cleared
Will be OF greater architectural attractive
ness than its predecessor. The power house
destroyed last night occupied one of the
most prominent and conspicuous sites on
the great thoroughfare of the capital. a
location such as to call for an exceptionally
handsome structure. an ornament no. onIy
~ 'he street, but the entire city as we'll |
instead II was 100 barn-like, too plainly
UNITARIAN While the corporation is now
apout TO enter upon new building enter
prise IL Is the earnest wish of every citf-
zen that comparatively slight additions:
sum VIII be sDeEt to make the new power
Eouse an architectural ornament worthy of
us SITE and of its enterprising owners.