Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-16
Conditions Under Which Belt Rail-
way is to Be Operated.
AUTHORIZED BY JUSTICE COX TODAY
Planning to Bring Expenses and
Receipts Nearer Together.
c r f d TO r S TO APPEAL

-
Cox this afternoon. in Equity Court No i,
announced that h. would take the respon-
sibility of authorizing modification OF the
schedule required by the charter of tho
company, which provides that a car shall
be ri once every ten minutes or oftener
The judge ated that he would allow coun-
sci representing the interested parties until
tomorroT mofhing TO frame an order en-
bracing a modified schedule for the road
Ihese rulings were the outcome OF q hear
ing on the rule against the American Se-
curity and Trust Company, as trustee rep
resenting the bondholders of the comnany
to show cause why Receiver Schoepf should
not be authorized to discontinue the opera-
tion of the road and to sell the horses.
Attorney John Ridout. representing tho
Belt company and Receiver Schoepf after
reciting to the court the facts embraced N
the petition, went on to say that the only
way the road could be operated without
losing money was to adopt a modified
schedule. Attorney Ridout added that II
the bondholdors desired to take hold of the
management and operate the road. Re-
celver Schoepf was willing to retire. in favor
or any ore who might ne suggested to sue
ceed him by the bondholders
The answer of the American Security and
trust company to the petition was pre-
sented by Attorney Brown The answer
set forth that the bondholders do not con-
sent to the cessation and sale and adds
that In the opinion of the bondholders the
roau can De operated properly under a
modified schedule.
Receiver SchOepfs Statement
In this connection a statement was pre-
sented from Receiver Schoepf Ii is as
follows:
Il have thoroughly considered plan for
operating the Belt railway without in
curing a deficit from operating expcsses
that is, to reduce operating expenses to a
point where they will not be greater than
receipts. This cannot be done without a
violation of the provisions OF the charter
winch requires that cars be run at inter-
vas OF not greater than ten minutes and
the Belt is now being operated on a sched-
uie which provides a ten-minute schedule
uniformly, while the 11th street is being
operated on schedule of seven minutes
from am. to pm, ana at intervals Of
ten minutes at other times of the day.
however, L am now running butn of Che
tripper cars, which makes the schedule
closer, and which accommodates the office
travel morning and evening on the Belt as
well as the 11th street line.
1t might be possible to reduce the opar-
ating expenses to a point where they Will
rot be greater than the receipts by con-
unuinS the present schedule on lIth street
and run a car say every forty-five minutes,
which would require two cars on the Belt
lire, and run out sufficient ''tripper'' cars
TO accommodate the travel to and frorn
the bureau of engraving and printing
which is, indeed the one point from which
this portion of the Belt Railway Company
derives revenue that amounts To any
II ing. 1t would also be an additional help
II the court would allow the receiver to
run the two regular cars on the Belt line
without conductors. using fare boxes, as Is
done by the Anacostia and Potomac River
railway under permit of the Commission
ers, which permit. however, | would not
undertake to seek further than TO make
written application for the same
Some Advantages.
This arrangement would allow the re-
ceiver to sell the poorest of the horses
owned by the company, which would in
itself be a great saving, as many Of them
are now only fit to do a very small portion
of days work. while they eat just rs
mitch a good horse, and it would he
economy even to give them away. This
arrangement would also reduce fines for
cruelty to animals, but, under the condi-
ucns heretofore existing, the receiver has
felt IT to be his duty to operate schedules
as near the requirements of the charter as
possible.
1T might be suggested that the operating
expenses could be brought nearer the re-
ceipts by reducing the mems wages; but
these are now SO small that 1 would not
recommend this plan, and. indeed, would
not undertake TO carry out such ar
rangement, as it would be cruelty in itself,
and could only be accomplished by taking
advantage of the fact of their present
Strengthened condition, owing to the prob
ability of their losing their pay for the
past thirty days services. and the season
of the year which is now before them.
making it difficult for them to secure em-
ployment elsewhere.
Cannot He Anticipated.
'I think the plan suggested would bring
the operating expenses and receipts very
l,,,s II t.a a-sad
that it is a hard matter for any one to say
just what the receipts will be- However,
it is reasonable TO expect slight increase
owing to the holiday season; but this cam
not be guaranteed. and L wouldenot UNDER
take to continue operating the road unless
some one guaranteed meeting a deficit of,
say. 500 a month, with the additional au-
thority from the court to use any surplus
that may accrue in paying the employees the
proportionate amount of moneys due them
on account of their salaries.
II would also call attention to the fact
that the insurance on the buildings OF me
company becomes due January .. the
premium on the present amount OF in
surance carried Is approximately 500.
which would have to be provided for from
ether sources tnan the receipts. 1t would
also be necessary to provide 500 with
which to purchase eight strong young
horses for use in snow sweeping as among
the 20 horses now owned by the company
there Is not one IN conQltlon TO perform
this work In case of snow. without rest OF
month six weeks in which to build
them UP. The horses to be purchased
would only be worked so much in the cars
as would allow their remaining in first
clsss condition for sweeper work in case
of a snow"
Plan May He Adopted.
The interested parties will meet this
afternoon fo- the purpose of framing an
order to be signed by the court tomorrow
morning. embracing a modified schedule.
The suggestions made by Receiver Schoepf
in the foregoing statement, SO one of the
attorneys said to Star reporter, may
be adopted. At the hearing a number Of
employees from the Belt Railway Company
were interested spectators
A meeting OF the unsecured creditors of
the Belt Railway Company was held to-
day. il is understood. at the Office of s. 8,
Daish & Son. The unsecured creditors
mean to appeal from the decision of Judge
Cox causing the sale of the Belt railway
and, II possible. prevent its execution un-
til the creditors receive what ID due them.
II necessary. said Mr.. John b. Daish tho
matter will be carried to the suDremN