The times., 1899-02-14
ALL STREET CAR
Lines TIED UP
The Columbia Cable Was the
Last TO Yield.
No Traffic on the metropolitan and
Traction Roads.
IL the Storm Ceases Some Cars May
he Put in Operation
hy Tonight.

Never before in the history of the Dis
trict was there such a complete te-up of
the street railroads as that which existed
Yesterday. out Of the almost fifteen lines
operated in the District only one even
made a pretense at running cars AS
result the great mass of Washington cltl-
zenry were compelled TO walk or stay at
home.
The one line which managed to run a
car now and then was the Columbia cable
road, and these cars were only operated
in the face of the greatest difficulties.
PIows and sweepers were kept busy all
day long and the line is TO be commended
for the energy lacked by other lines run
ming through the heart of the city
II was stated yesterday that had the
Capital Traction lines and the Metropolitan
lines made any effort 10 keep their tracks
clear all Sunday night and early yes
terdav morning cars could have been OPP
Grated Yesterday. As il was the ploWs and
sweepers stopped running at midnight, and
as is the usual result of procrastinaton,
when the plows and sweepers were brought
ont Yesterday morning the trolley SLOTS
were filled with snow and the tracks buried
so that nothing could be done
The street railroads, however, klhulE
for walking purposes and as said cru
zeury emphasized each step with blessing
on the weather and the street railway thc
warmth of the atmosphere kept the TRICKS
clear for walking purposes for some time
during the day.
The Columbia cable line managed TO run
cars until about o'clock yesterday alter
noon. when general conditions and a milk
wagon accident stopped traffic. The Con-
gressmen who had ridden to a point close
10 the CapitoI over this line were much
discounted when, after walking from the
Capitol 10 North Capitol and II Streets,
they found no cars running.
There were probably more pedestrians
on the streets yesterday than are seen even
on the finest days in summer. Everybody
walked because everybody had TO walk,
and many suburban residents covered eight
and ten miles during the day The resi-
dents of all the suburban towns were
forced 10 walk into business during 1he
morning and 10 walk home at night.
The Capital Traction Company began
moving cars on the Fourteenth Street di-
vision about $50 yesterday morning and
ran them for short trips until about :
o'clock, but none of them reached the end
of the line 4 few cars, loaded with peo-
pie from Mount Pleasant and Columbia
Heights managed 10 get as far as the jUIc-
lion at Fifteenth Street and were then
stalled. until q line of cars extended from
the junction 10 p Street. These cars, twen-
ty-three of them, were then formed into
enc train which ran back to the stables At
Mount Pleasant and trafic ceased
A few Georgetown cars managed 10 get
as far as the Treasury, where they stu-y.
mail car, jammed between two snow
plows, was stuck fast al the curve at Fif-
teenth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
early yesterday morning. and after a stub
born fight was finally taken back 10 the
Georgetown stables. SnoWplowS were
practically useless. Is Jne snow had been
allowed a great headway. Nearly fifty
cars burned their motors out and had to
be dragged back 10 the stables. 4 big
sweeper is now standing at the corner OF
Pennsylvania Avenue and Seventh Street
buried in snow drifts.
The horse car systems have been out oi
business Tor three days, and their tracks
are invisible. Only cessation OF hOstiii-
ties on the part Of the storm will allow
the horse power systems TO resume opera
lions.
The motoTmen and conductors on the
Columbia cable line stuck to their posts
as long as cars could be operated. and a7
result hundreds of suffering citizenry
were saved long, cold tramps through the
blizzard. The motormen on the other
lines worked long and faithfully TO oper-
ate the cars, but without success.
The chances for the operation of street
cars today are very sim, but it is prob
able that before night should the storm
cease, some of the tracks will have beer
cleared and the trolley slots placed il
working order.
At present the streets in the busines!
portion of the city look as though Tapit
transit was unknown in the Capital. Sev
eral feet Of STOW has packed over tn
tracks and the slots, and it viii require th
labor OF hundreds Of men to clear these s.
that cars may be operated.