Evening star., 1898-04-15
SPEED OF STREET CARS
Conference Between Commissioners and Rail-
way officials to Discuss the Subject.
Charge Made That the Cars Are Run
at Unlawful Rate
The Defense.

The District Commissioners today had
conference with President Dunlop of the
Capital Traction Company ana President
Weaver and General Manager Coleman of
the Metropolitan Railroad Company on the
subject of the speed of their cars. The
commissioners explained that their atten-
ton had been called to the rapid speed of
the cars on both line, rate which. ii ap-
peared, was undoubtedly in excess of that
allowed by law. twelve miles AN hour with
in the city and fifteen miles outside the
city limits.
The conference was an informal exchange
of views, during which the railroad off
Gals frankly admitted that their cars are
frequently run at a greater speed IN the
city than twelve miles an hour. But they
explained that their employees do not ma
licfously violate the law. doing so more
through ignorance of the speed than
through any intent to do So. They declared
that their men are warned that they must
not exceed the lawful rate. and whenever
an employe is detected in violating the law
he is promptly punished.
Ii was explained to the Commissioners
that not infrcquenty the interests of the
ruDlc require greater speed than is per-
miited by law. 1t Was also said that some
times when the cars are blocked for
tine by a fire or breakdown they are,
upon the resumption of travel, run for
while faster than is lawful. The officials
of both roads however. stated that they
will do their utmost in the future TO pre-
vent the running of their cars at any time
faster than the law allows. But they de-
clarcd that the public really demands that
the cars be run faster than twelve miles
an hour. aud they expressed the opia
ION that If the Commissioners should al
low an increase of speed to. say. fifteen
miles an hour within the city limits. they
would be fully sustained by public opinion.
Practically Dead Letter.
"a
the fact that the law requiring railroads
to reduce the speed of their cars In passing
over street crossings to not more than six
miles an hour is practically a dead letter.
neither road oheying it. Mr.. Weaver and
Mr.. Dunlop both confessed that their COM
panies are continually violating that law,
but they contended that it Is simply impos-
sible to obey that provision without run
ming their cars so slowly all along the line
as to raise decided oh lection on the part
OF the travelling public. 1t was also stated
by the railroad officials that it takes about
cne-fourth OF the average square in which
10 reduce the speed of running at a
lawful rate. in order to pass street cross
Ing at speed not exceeding six miles an
hour Such law, they asserted, is also a
dead letter in other cities.
Mr.. Wight also called attention to an
other violation of the law. the speed of the
hurry up or repair wagons of the COM
panies through the streets.
ne act Oi congress OF july ID, 1S!Fo, said
Mr.. Wight provides that 10 vehicle drawn
10y draft animals shall pass through the
streets OF the city at speed greater than
eight miles an hour. and shall not turn
corners at speed greater than four miles
al hour.
Complaints Filed.
Mr.. Wight said there is mucl. COMPLAINT
against the 'hurry-up' wagon of the Met
fopoii:an company. but practically none
against that of the Capital Traction Com
pany for some time.
MIR. Weave" and Mr.. Coleman expressed
their doubt to the ability of their horses
TO go faster with their heavy wagon than
eight miles an hour. but Mr.. Wight sail
he has seen the wagon pass the District
building at a very rapid speed. The off,
Gals of both roads, however, promised 10
restrain their drivers to a lawful speed
hereafter.
The Commissioners explained that they
Will give due consideration to the state
mcnts made by the officials and also stat
cd they will consider a suggestion made by
Mr.. Coleman that a police regulation be
made to prohibit riders of bicycles from
catching hold of street cars for the pur-
pose of pulling their wheels along. and also
from passing between cars and tracks at
a dangerous proximity.