Evening star., 1898-01-27
Commissioners Views of Brown
Method Of Car Propulsion.
ORDER OF DISCONTINUANCE PROBABLE
A Hearing to Be Given the Pro-
moters Tomorrow.
THE CHARGES PREFERRED

to discuss the matter at the present time
it is understood that they have about con-
cluded that the Brown underground electric
system, as now operated by the Capital
Railway Company, is impracticable and
imperfect. 1t is also understood that un-
less the promoters of the system are able
to meantime convince the Commissioners
that they are in error, the Capital Railway
Company will tomorrow be ordered to dis
continue its further operation.
AS is well known, the Capital Railway
Company and the Anacostia Railway Com
pany jointly use tracks on certain streets
in South Washington. Numerous COM
Ilafnts have been made to tho Commission
ers by President H. A. Griswold of the
latter company against the Brown electric
system 1t being charged by Mr.. Griswold
that the horses pulling his cars have been
frequently Knocked down and injured by
electric currents escaping. as. he alleged,
through the imperfections of the Brown
system. He has also often charged that
because of these alleged imperfections traf-
fic On his road has been obstructed. If he
ing explained by him that the Capital rail-
way people were constantly repairing their
underground system, the character and ex-
tent OF the repairs being such he claimed,
as 10 prevent an unobstructed operation
OF his road.
Afldavits Filed.
In support of his charges Mr. Griswold
has from time to time filed with the Com
mlssioners statements and affidavits of his
employees, citizens and electrical experts
and today he filed another batch of these
statements. relating to the operation of
the Brown system on 11th and M streets
southeast. from the 5th to the 26th instant.
sworn statement of Mr.. Paul A. Dra-
per, an electrical expert, submitted bv Mr.
GrlsWoid today, is to the effect that the
Brown system is being constantly repaired.
that ne discovered large number of live
DoAes, the escaping current in some of
them running up to 100 volts and more,
rendering 1t. in his opinion very dangerous
10 both pedestrians and horses, and that
he found a large number of broken cuns
statements from drivers on the Anacostia
ROAD We're to the effect that their horses
have been knocked down, and citizens re-
port the making of repairs on the line dur
ing both the day and night. statement
from Mr.. Edward D. Hill of Suitland Md
showed that the 18th instant his horse, at
tached to his milk wagon, was Violently
shaken and thrown down, the harness
broken and Mr.. Hills milk spilled by the
horse stepping on one Of the blocks used
by the Brown system on 11th street near
the Navy Yard bridge
Conference Held
Messrs. Dupont and Thomas of the john
son Company Of Johnstown, Pa, the pro-
moters of the Brown underground electric
system, had a conference with Commits
sioner Black today, during which they
asked for further hearing in the matter
of the complained-of imperfections of the
system They expressed their ability to
convince the Commissioners that the sys-
tenn is a good one, and they will he heard
at IL o'clock tomorrow morning.
1t can be stated on the best of authority
however, that the Commissioners are con-
Vinced to the contrary.
That is they believe that while the sys-
tenn may possibly be perfected, it is not by
any means perfect as now operated by the
Capital Railway Company, and that 1t is
about time to stop further experiments
The Commissioners, it is understood, have
been informed that boxes used by the COM
pany remain alive after cars pass over
them, and that the system is n menace to
both persons and property as operated
here. The method has been given a patient
trial here for year now, and the Commits
sioners are reported as being of the opin-
ion that the streets of Washington should
no longer be permitted by them to remain
a territory for further experiments, es-
pecially in view of the fact that other
underground electric systems in operation
here have demonstrated the wisdom of
their use beyond any doubt whatever.
The Other Side.
In speaking of the matter today, a gen.
tleman interested in the Brown system
said:
II am we'll aware that President Girls
void Of the Anacostia road has for some
time past been bringing all the influence he
could secure to have the Commissioners
condemn the Brown system, and should
he succeed 1 am satisfied before he can
convince the courts, the people and Con-
gress of the correctness of his position the
Capital Railway Company will demonstrate
beyond peradventure that District In
spector Shipman was correct when he
stated that the Brown system had solved
the overhead trolley question in cities.
1--WE have no fear whatever of the de-
cision as the system was put down under
an agreement that it should be satisfactory
to the Commissioners. Should they con-
denim it, the courts will allow no injustice
to be DONE"
The Contract.
1t is learned that President Randle, in
making a contract with the Johnson COM
pany for the installation Of the Brown sys-
tenn, protected his company in what might
he considered an extraordinary degree. 1t
was stipulated that unless the system was
satisfactory to the Commissioners, the
railway company would not have to pay
anything for it. Should the rumor above
referred to prove true. it is stated by
friends of the road that the system cam
not be removed by the Commissioners.
Thus the Capital Railway Company would
get its system for nothing.