Evening star., 1900-08-10
VOICE OF CITIZENS
Patrons Protest Against Increase in
Street Car Fares.
MASS MEETING At BRIGHTWOOD
Resolutions Declaring a Boycott
Withdrawn by Author.
co NJ NJ l Z Z EES APPOINTED
co NJ MITTEES APPOINTED


and heated debates were features of the
evening. At one time during the meeting a
clash was barely averted certain resolu-
ticns which had been offered proposing a
boycott on the road provoking a most ami
mated debate. The resolutions We're offer
ed by Mr.. r. NJ. johnson of Brightwood,
which in the opinion of some were too
strongly worded and would not have the
desired effect in the fight against the Trac-
ton company. Others were in favor of
passing them they We're worded and
several of the citizens jumped to their feet
at once general debate ensuing.
In his resolutions Mr.. johnson stated that
he was not afraid of corporations and that
the citizens of this section should state
plainly what they intended to do. He ia
vored a boycott of the lines of the Wash
ington Traction and Electric Company, not
only on the Brightwood line but in the
city also.
Mr.. JohnsOn's Resolutions.
The resolutions. which were finally with
drawn, contained the following declara-
tons:
Under no circumstances or conditions will
We purchase, either directly or indirectly,
from said company or any of its agents
any tickets sold at a higher rate than six
for % cents; that in all cases will,
far as possible, refrain from travelling upon
the cars of said company so long as it re-
fuses to sell six tickets for % cents, good
Tor continuous trip anywhere within the
bounds of the District of Columbia; that
when it is absolutely necessary to travel
over the line lines of the Washington
Traction Company to and from the suburbs
We viii on all occasions transfer to ard
from the cars of the Washington Traction
Company to those of the Capital Traction
Company at Florida avenue or at any other
point where the ordinary ticket becomes in
operative on the lines of the Washington
Traction Company, this being done by us
IN order to defeat the unjust discrimination
against our people and section of the Dis
trict, in so far it may financially benefit
the Washington Traction Company; that
recommend that committee Of nine citi-
zens be appointed by this meeting to take
such action as may be necessary to at once
establish herdic lines from the terminus of
the nth street cars at Mt Pleasant, by way
of the 14th street road TO Brightwood and
thence to Takoma, that said committee is
also empowered and directed to visit the
president and officers of the Capital Trac-
ton Company for the purpose of inducing
that company to at once take steps for the
extension of its railroad along l4th street
to the District line, with a branch road
from the 18th street road at its junction
with Wabash avenue, along said avenue to
Takoma.
The meeting presided over by Mr..
Louis P Shoemaker, president Of the
Brightwood' Citizens Association, with Mr.
John Saul as secretary. There were many
residents present, representative of the sew
eral sections, including Forest Glen, Ten
ieytown, Columbia Heights and Howard
University.
Upon calling. the meeting to order shortly
after s o'clock Mr.. Shoemaker read let
ter which he had received from Mr.. Blair
Lee. in which the writer suggested changes
IN the operation of the cars on the Bright
wood line. He protested against the condi-
ton of the cars and the manner in which
they were run. Mr. Shoemaker stated it
was contended on the part of the railway
company that the receipts were less than
the expenses, and that the fare on the
Brghtwood line must be increased.
Statement of Conditions.
Assuming that this was true of the past,
he presented a statement, setting forth the
following:
THE cars have not been the road in
sufficient numbers to accommodate the
people. Regular patrons as well as those
who ride merely for pleasure have been
inconvenIenced and unable TO obtain seats.
For several months the cars have not
been running as the charter prescribes TO
Florida avenue, consequently immediate
connection could not be had with the Capt
tol Traction, greatly TO the Inconvenience
of all. The cars have been kept in a neglect
ed condition and very Objectionable to those
who We're well dressed and out on pleasure
trips. The dust On the road has been for
a long time intolerable, even to those who
have been obliged 10 use the read, and GER
tanly SO Objectionable TO proven; those
who are out for pleasure from using this
road IN preference to other suburban lines.
tor long time The driveway has been
undergoing extended repairs for more than
year and is not yet finished. A new road
bed has been laid at great expense, and IL
is much appreciated, and 1t has been gem
orally known to the public that the Bright
wood line and the avenue driveway
has been undergoing repairs for two years
or more. The BrightwUod road has been
the last one to be properly equipped.
considering, therefore. all these objec-
tons, We are confidently of the opinion that
| h. fp,-S-r ..s.glI
by any means, its full share or even pro-
portion of the regular or the excursion and
pieasure-riding public.
The Views Which Prevailed.
Mr.. Shoemaker then presented some res
olutions, which We're finally adopted pro-
viding-
THAT the meeting deems it unwise, I'M
just and detrimental to the community as
well to the railway company, to declare
at this time higher fare and set up the
past condition of affairs reason and
necessity for SO doing; and
That We are of the opinion that the
free transfer system in vogue at present
has caused many people to reside in this
desirable section of the District. 1t has
not only caused all the houses to become
occupied but many new ones to be con-
structed, and We feel confident that the
proposed increase of fare will not only
check this apparent rapid development but
reflect unJustly against this section, and
tHdt II VIII also operate
against the best interest of the railway
company.
Then, for these reasons, and with due
regard for the interests Of the railway
company and the community, which we
deem to be mutual, respectfully urge
that our new equipment shall Immediately
be made perfect and complete, that our
cars shall run through the center of the
city for one fare-six tickets for p cents
for at least six months, and at the end of
such time We desire to hear from said
company as to the business of the Bright
wood road.
I'VE confidently believe that the COM
pany will be content with the same and
SATISFIED to continue indefinitely the sys-
TEN herein suggested for six months as a
trial, and We recommend that committee
of five be appointed by the chairman to
visit the railroad company
Mr.. William NJ. Clayton, president of the
Brightwood Park Citizsns' Association, read