The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-08-27
WHERE STREET Cars STOP
Complaint Against the Capital
Traction Company.
A VIOLATION OF ORDERS
Merrill Asks for n Fuller Explana-
tion-DIstrict Commissioners VIII
Recognize Claims Against EN-
pIoyes Only When Presented
Through "a Judgment.

The recent replysof the District Commits
sioners to letter from c. w. Merrill, of
the firm of G. w. Merrill & Co., coal
dealers. relative to the stopping of cars
on the far side of the street on Pennsyi-
vania Avenue southeast, is not considered
satisfactory by him and he has again
written to the Commissioners about the
matter. In his letter which was received
yesterday by the Commissioners Mr.. Mer-
rill says: .r
Your reply to my query as to the law
or regulation permitting the Capital Trac-
ton Company to stop its cars on the far
side of street crossings in the southeast
section of the city, while requiring them
and all other companies to stop cars on
the near side in other sections of the city.
is noticed In the public press.
II would respectfully submit that the
answer to my communication is not as
complete and full as the public would like.
Neither is it satisfactory to those of us
who use the streets other than those mo-
nopolized by street car companies as
means by which TO go from one part of
the city to another
IL is understood that some time ago
when 1t was the practice to ston cars
some on the near side and some on the far
side of street crossings, your honorable
board took the matter under consideration
ana ordered that in the interest OF public
safety all cars should stop on the near
side of such crossings, and moreover
that one rapid transit car should come to
full stop before crossing the line of an
other railway company. This latter or
der Is being also frequently violated by
the cars of the Capital Traction Conn
pany.
Inaainuch as that portion of our peo-
pie who have occasion TO cross the tracks
or rapid transit street car lines. thereby
pelng exposed to danger is greater than
the people OF the southeast section. who
request the abrogation OF this good and
wholesome law and. dnasmuch as this
majority comprises the children of our
pEbiic schools as wei as many others not
accustomed TO beng watchful il does
| not seem 10 me that the mere request of
few people of one section of the city.
who fear getting their feet wet, should
avail to cause suspension OF a regulation
| designed fer the protection of the life and
hn5b of all.
Rather should not these same tender
| individuals have humbly petitioned the
great and powerful Capital Traction
| company TO transfer It's beautiful and
useful tiles 10 that side Of the crossing
on which the regulation required the cars
TO stop?
Some years ago there was a serious
accident. by which one life was lost, at
the intersection of Seventh and D Streets
northwest, caused by the cable car crash
ing into hook and ladder truck of the
| fire department. A man on the street
seeing the truck coming az full speed
along d Street, endeavored to stop the
cable car by frantic signals but as il
was then a rule not to stop till reaching
| the far side of the intersecting street
the gripman. naturally, failed to stop.
| and frightful collision was the result
1T seems as though there should be
some stronger argument than the re-
quest Of few people, of delicate consti-
| tuition or the saying rich corporation
the cost of removing a few paving blocks
| and relay!ng them on. the other side of
! the crossing. TO cause an exception to be
made to the GENERAL enforcement of a
regula ton providing for the safety of our
| citizens.