Evening star., 1900-08-17
OBJECTS TOTHE NEW ORDER
RULE OF RAILWAY COMPANY RELA-
TIVE TO TRANSFERS.
Claim That Act of Congress Of August
z. 1894, Governs Their
Issue.

The attention Of the District Commission
ers has been invited by Mr.. George A. Hill
of the naval observatory to certain instruc-
tions issued by the Washington Traction
Company to its conductors relative to trans
fers, ii being stated that transfers will be
given only at the time the passengers pay
their fare, and that a transfer will not be
given on transfer.
Il ask the honorable Commissioners.
wrote Mr.. Hill. upon what authority of
law the Washington Traction Company as
sumes the right TO issue and enforce such
instructions, far they dictate to a pas
senger the conditions under which a trans
fer will be issued, and also what action
should be taken by a passenger upon the
refusal of the conductor employed by that
company 10 issue transfer at any time it
might be desired
Mr.. Hill claims that the question of trans
fers from and to all connecting lines in the
District has been definitely decided by the
act OF Congress of August ,. 1891. There
lore II seems somewhat strange to him that
the interests of the public have not been
protected. as the act, he explains. declared
they should be. The Metropolitan and the
Ienieytown railroads. and the Brightwood.
not to speak of others, he states. Were
brought within control of the act by the
washington Traction Company when ii Sc
cured permission to connect the several
roads. as il has done. so that cars might
run from one on to the other One is sur
prlsed, says Mr. Hill. at the arrogance of
the company in assuming to issue such in
structions to its employees. and in totally
ignoring the Commissioners, who are. he de-
clares, the responsible head in all municipal
affairs here.
Quotation From Law.
Mr.. Hill invites the attention of the Com
missioners to the following section, s. of the
act of August .. 1884, which, he contends.
covers the whole question of transfers:
That the Metropolitan Railroad Company
Is hereby authorized and required to make
reciprocal transfer arrangements with
street railroad companies whose lines now
connect with its lines and to furnish such
facilities therefor as the public convenience
may require
The Metropolitan railroad" says Mr.
Hill, prior to the time 1t passed into the
hands Of the Washington Traction Com
pany, and the latter since that time. have
carried out the provisions of that law as
is the case with the 9th street line and
also the Columbia road, and no question
has ever been made in regard to transfers
from one to the other. The following which
is the closing portion of the act mention
ed. indicates that it was the intention of
Congress, in the event of any railroad in
the District of Columbia making connec-
ton with another that they should also
issue reciprocal transfers: Provided, that
every street railway company in the Dis
trict of Columbia whose lines connect or
the lines of any other railway company is
hereby made subject to the same require
ments as to transfers and trackage ar
rangements, upon similar conditions. are
IN this section provided in the case of the
Metropolitan Railroad Company and the
lines connecting herewith
Eject of Consolidation.
I'm joining the several separate roads. as
has been done by switches and other con-
nections and also using the several tracks
Of those roads in common, it would seem
the Washington Traction Company has
clearly brought the railroads so connected
within the province Of the act above quoted
and in view of that | would be gratified to
be informed upon what ground the WASH
inSton Traction Company assumes the re-
SponSi5iiity of ignoring that law, and what
acton Is necessary when | ask sor a trans
fer on a transfer to compel it to give it to
me-"
1t is probable that, before answering Mr.
Hills inquiries. the Commissioners will re-
fer them to the attorney for the District
for an opinion in the case.