Evening star., 1898-07-30
STREET RAILWAY FARES
What is Thought of the Proposition for
Trackage Arrangements.
Relative Benefits to City and Subar-
ban Limestone Fare to and
From Country.

good many who are connected with the
street railroads of the District are natural
ly indulging in a good deal of speculation
to the probable outcome of the proceed
ings already instituted by the Brightwood
company for the purpose of having the law
of 1894 carried out. which requires trackage
arrangements to be made between connect
ing street railroads.
1t is contended by the Brightwood COM
pany that it's line is connecting one with
the Metropolitan railroad. and it is the de-
sire that the law of Congress on this sub
ject be carried out.
In the correspondence between the two
companies, which is attached to the petit
ton recently filed in court, it is stated that
the Brightwood company proposed a plan
for carrying out the trackage arrangements
required by the law to be made, which in
volved the running of three cars over the
9th street line of the Metropolitan road as
far south the Pennsylvania railroad
depot, that the Brightwood company would
collect the fares from passengers while the
cars were upon the Metropolitan tracks and
turn them over to the Metropolitan COM
pany, less the expense of operating the car,
and that the same privilege would be given
to the Metropolitan company when running
over the Brightwood line.
1t is stated by some railroad men who
have given this matter attention that the
purpose of the law is to provide for con-
tinuous ride over city and suburban lines
within the District, and at one fare, and
that the court must, in the event the COM
panieS cannot agree, decide as to the proper
division of the fares AS the law in ques-
ton is of general application and does not
affect these two roads any more than 9TH
ers, it will be seen that the effect of its en-
forcement will be far-reaching and will
make material change in the transporta-
ton facilities of the city.
Tenleytown Company's Proposition.
AS soon as this case is settled 1t is un-
derstood, the Tenleytown road will ask for
trackage arrangements either with the
Metropolitan company or the Capital Trac-
ton company or possibly with BOTH for it
is contended that the Tenleytown road
Is a connecting road with both of
these lines. 1t Is said free transfer has
been proposed in both of these cases, but
that all propositions of this sort have been
declined by the suburban roads on the
ground that they cannot afford to simply
transfer with the large city roads.
AS compromise an arrangement now ex-
lists by which four tickets for a quarter are
sold by the suburban lines. which entities
the holder to a ride over the country road
and the connecting city line. 1t is believed
by some who have studied the problem of
meeting the transportation needs of the
suburbs that the proposed trackage ar
rangements, if made in an equitable man
ner, will result in future benefit to the sub
urban roads, it, indeed, it is not an imme-
diate benefit.
An Example Cited.
1t is, of course, believed that if people
can ride from the business center of the
city to the bounds of the District for one
fare, as they can do on the Chevy Chase
branch of the Capital Traction company,
there will be an increase in the patronage
of the suburban roads, this increase being
due in large part to the additions to the
permanent population of the suburbs which
will be induced by the improved transpor-
tation facilities.
For year or two, it is thought by some,
even with what may be considered fair
division of the fares between the inside and
the outside roads, the latter will not be
able to make money. For this reason, it is
argued, a provision should be inserted in
any trackage arrangement that the present
rate of fares, four tickets for a quarter, be
continued for specified time, and after
that only one fare is to be charged
1t Is not likely, however, that any agree
ment will be reached between any of the
railroads on this subject without the aid of
the court. 1t is believed, however that
the system of a continuous ride for one
fare from the center of the city to any
where in the District is one of the certain
ties of the near future.