Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-06-09
Uniformity Only in View.

In conversation with reporter of the Sta,
to-day Mr.. Frederick @. Stevens, the repre-
sentative of the interests that recently ac
quired all the street railroad properties IN
the District, with the exception of the CAPT
tai Traction, spoke as follows in regard &c
the policy of the new owners on the ques-
ton of the wages of employees and as to the
plans for the development of the various
roads.
| In regard to the matter OF wages MI.
Stevens said THE company never had the
intention OF reducing wages, as have seen
it stated in the Star. AS is well known, we
have purchased number OF roads with the
purpose Of welding them into harmonious
system and bringing them under one man
agement All that has been done so far in
regard to wages has been solely determined
by the desire to secure uniformity. The
increase made in the wages of employees on
some of the lines has been greater than the
reduction made in the wages of employees on
other lines. We have not only sought uni
formity in wages, but also in the hours OF
service, so that all the employees would be
on an equality"
Referring to the condition of the various
properties when they came into his control,
and especially that of the suburban lines,
Mr.. Stevens said 1--WE know these roads
are in a terrible condition; that is a fact
which is patent to every one. We intend,
however, that this condition shall be only
temporary, and that in the shortest time
possible these lines shall be transformed into
thoroughly up to-date electric street rail
roads. We have already made contracts
Tor the entire re.equipment Of the Bright
wood, Forest Glen and the Tenleytown, the
latter through to Rockville; the Great Falls
and the Glen Echo railroads. The material
has been ordered, and in the case OF the
Brightwood line the ties are expected to be
here this week. Seventy pound rails are to
be laid on the Brightwood line and there is
to be an entire new overhead construction
OF modern type of double trolleys.
at may be said in pass, ny that We are
not obliged to use the double trolley, and
it may also be added that il will cost $40 600
more than the usual overhead construction.
1t is also true that the use OF the seventy.
pound rail will involve larger expenditure
OF money than lighter rail, but by the use
OF the double trolley and u rail OF this
weight we can give a better service, and
that is the only reason for going to this ad
ditional expense
at should be borne in mind that the
changes in the Brightwood road will not be
merely reconstruction, but a rebuilding.
| When the road is completed there will not
be sing e feature that is there now except
| the ground. The Inconvenience now com.
planned about on the part OF the public
mainly arise from the conditions due to re-
building. We have been obliged to test the
transmission OF the high tension current, as
such test might just as well be made now
as at any time. This has affected the ser.
vice on the road.
ave also expect to put the double trolley
and the seventy.pound rail on the other
suburban roads, and in all respects have the
means that the service Of the new system
will be as complete and satisfactory AS it is
possible for a street railroad to furnish -
WASH STIR Of N0mlay.