Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-11
DlSPLACING THE CABLES
Capital Traction Company Rapidly Pushing
Its Improvements.
new system TO BE in Operation
Febru"ry 1-Drfvers Practicing
on Chevy Chase Line.

The work of replacing the cable power of
The Capital Traction Company on the Penn
sylvania avenue and I4th street lines
abandoned when the power house was
burned, with an improved and up-to-,late
electric system, is progressing as rapidly
as possible, large force of men being en-
ployed.
All of the conduits for carrying the feed
wires from 18th street and New York ave
nue. to the Georgetown terminus from
18th street and New York avenue to the
Mount Pleasant terminus and from the
Peace monument to the Navy Yard termi-
nus have been laid, and the streets which
were torn up are now being repaved with
asphalt.
The work of laying the conduits for the
feed wires along Pennsylvania avenue from
the Peace monument to 18TH street AMI
new York avenue viii be commenced the
inst tEing Monday morning and pushed
rapidly to completion. over this portion
of the line new rails are to be laid to
replace the ones now in use. In order to
facilitate this work temporary track will
he laid and the rails on but one track at a
tine replaced.
The Copper Cable.
1t is expected that the copper cable from
which the motor cars receive their current
will commence to arrive between Christ
putting it into position will be commenced
Immediately upon its receipt, beginning
at the Mount Pleasant end of the line
The work of putting the cable into posi-
ton VIII not require much time. The de-
lay in laying the conduitS for the feed wires
along Pennsylvania avenue from the Peace
monument to 10Th street and New York
avenue is due to the fact that two car
loads of pipe which were shipped some days
ago went astray. and. in fact. have not as
yet been located. Enough additional pipe
has been received, however, to start this
work Monday, stated. At the power
house in Georgetown the work is at an
advanced stage. The foundation for the
stack will be completed this evening, and
ii is expected the stack itself will arrive
and be put in position during next week.
The electrical appliances are arriving daily.
In conversation with Star reporter this
morning, General Superintendent CARL was
unable to give any definite opinion as 10
when the first car would start over the
line with the new power, but it is believed
it will be not later than the first of Feb
ruary.
Drivers Are Anxious.
The one-time gripmen of the cable cars,
but now drivers of the horse cars, appear
to be anxious the travelling public
for the early resumption of rapid transit.
They say that while the work of driving
team Of. hcrses and handling the brake
does not appear to be as hard as handling
the grip, they prefer the grip They find
that in standing still on the front platform
of a they feel the effects of the cold
more than when they are actively engaged
in handling a grip.
The cable wheels which were in use in
front of the Peace monument for the loop
that runs around to the Baltimore and Ohio
depot are being taken out and the place
put in shape for the electric system. Ina s.
much as this ma chinery cannot again be
used. it is being cut to pieces and taken out
through the E,anhole, which does away
with the necessity Of tearing up The street
at that point. as was done when it was
put in.
The eX-gripmen will not be novices when
they are put in charge Of the new motor
cars, for it is said that they are COM
PEELED by the officers of the Capital Trac-
tion Company to take lessons, both prac-
teal and theoretical, on the Chevy Chase
line of the company, SO that when the cleo
trio sJstem is put in operation on the ave-
nue. and 14th street they will be practi-
cally old hands at the business.
Difficulties Experienced.
Great difficulty has been experienced in
moving the horse cars on Pennsylvania
avenue and 14th street lines again today
owing to the slippery condition of the
asphalt pavement and, in consequence
slow time is made. The horses have been
slipping and sliding all over the pave
n'ent. All of this has, of course. got to
be put up with until the rapid transit line
is again established, and the travelling pub
lie appears to take it good-naturedly.