Evening star., 1898-08-02
STREET RAILWAY PROBLEM
Question Of Trackage Arrangements Between
City and Suburban Lines.
Controversy Over Enforcement OF
Law of 1S94-One Fare for a
Continuous Ride.

If II can be said that street railroad men
in this city, except, of course, those who
receive salaries for looking after the af-
fairs of the various corporations, interest
themselves at this time of the year in any
problem connected with the management
of the roads. 1t must be admitted that such
a problem is the trackage arrangements be-
tween city and suburban lines. The pres
ent phase of the subject just now appears to
be merely controversy between two COM
Danies as to the method of the enforce
ment of the law of 1894. which requires
trackage arrangements to be made be-
tween connecting roads.
1t might also be contended that the mat
ter is of slight consequence for the reason
that the law has been on the statute books
for nearly four years and yet no serious
attempt has been made to enforce it until
the recent action of the Brghtwood COM
pany in filing a petition asking the court
to settle the terms upon. which trackage
arrangements can be made with the Metro
politan company. No answer has been
made to this petition and sufficient time
has not elapsed for further proceedings in
the case, but there seems to be no doubt
in the minos of those who have given the
subject attention that some practical result
will come from these proceedings.
Present Situation.
At present there are transportation
arrangements between these two COM
panies, although the northern terminus of
the Metropolitan company Is practically at
Boundary street or Florida avenue, at the
tead of 7th street, while at the same point
is the southern terminus of the Brightwood
road, which extends out to the District line,
and then by trackage arrangements with
the road that runs to WoodSide the cars of
the Brightwood read are continued out in
to Maryland. Passengers who go from the
center of the city via the 9th street line of
the Metropolitan road are now obliged to
change at Florida avenue, in order to take
the Brightwood cars. They are also obliged
to pay another fare unless they have the
special tickets which are sold four for
quarter. and are good on both roads. With
these tickets each ride costs the passenger
81 cents from the center Of the city to the
bounds of the District From the proceeds
of the sale of such tickets the Metropolitan
company gets three-ffths and the Bright
wood company two-ffths.
Matter of Competition.
1t is explained that this system, while
fair to the suburban road, as far the
terms go, works an injustice because it
comes in competition with the liberal terms
offered the public by other street railroads
and therefore they do not get their share
of the patronage.
For example, it is pointed out that the
gers from any point in the city to the
bounds of the District via the Chevy Chase
line for one fare. 1t is also pointed out
that the Columbia railroad intends in the
near future to build an eastern extension
of its line to the bounds of The District,
and that in accordance with the terms Of
the law granting this right, only one fare
is to be charged for one ride within the
District
1t is also provided by recent legislation of
Congress. it is further asserted, that vixen
the City and Suburban road. formerly the
lexington, completes its line from the
Treasury Department to the bounds of the
District on the line of Rhode Island avenue
extended, only one fare will be charged
within the District.
In this view of the case it seems to some
that a trac1age arrangement, as authorized
by law, must be made in order that the
suburban residents and the citizens gen.
orally living along not only the 1th street
read, but along the Tenleytown road, and
in the vicinity of the line of the Great
Falls railroad, and across the Eastern
branch, have right to the railroad facili-
ties which are enjoyed or are to be en-
jCyed by the residents in the localities pre-
viously named. 1t is believed therefore,
that the time has come for the enforce
n.ent of the law, and that while final set
tlement may be delayed, it cannot be
avoided.
Some Not Particular.
1t is not known what form the final set
in suburban roads are not particular
whether their cars come into the city over
the tracks of the city road. or whether the
cars of the city road run over the suburban
roads. They would be satisfied with trans
fers, fo- which the suburban road receives
some compensation from the city road. But
they do want the principle of the single
fare for a ride from any point in the city
to the bounds of the District generally rec
OsniZed by street railroad managers as IT
is now in part.
Others who are concerned in the manage
ment of the suburban roads take the posi-
tion that 1t is all important that the ride
must be a continuous one, and therefore
they are opposed to any settlement which
provides for the single fare, but makes it
necessary for passengers 20 get out of one
car at the bounds of the city and get into
arother car in order to reach The center CT
the city. Those who are of this way OF
thinking intend to hold Jut for one fare
for a continuous ride anywhere in the Dis
tr.ct.