Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-11-27
MEETING OF COMMUTERS.


League, southeast corner OF King and
Washington streets, were crowded last
nj int by patrons of the Washington,
Alexandria and Mount Vernon Rail.
way (nostly Alexandrisns who are EN-.
ployed In Washington) to protest
against the present manner OF running
trains, the absence Of conveDiences In
the cars, the present rate for transport
alton between the two cities, the fail
ure OF the company to meet the re-
qnirements of Council 10 regard to the
1se of improved rails, &C., &c. There
was little regard to parliamentary
usage, motions following motions,
counter motions, amendments and
amendments to the whole, so much SO
that the chairman would have been
justiiable at times in exclaiming i'm
plor.nRly, "Where are We at?" Some
wanted committee appointed to walt
upon Council tonight nnd request the
city fathers to rescind the ordinance
requiring speed of five miles an hour
within the city limits; others that
committee proceed Immediately to the
off aials OF the company and demand
redress from the snsil's pace with
which the cars are run from Royal
street to Spring Pars; others wanted
toilet rooms in he cars aud proper
heating appliances; some an immediate
abatement OF the long delays on SIDE
tracks waiting for trains running 10 op-
posite direc ions. while others argued
that the company should be compelled
to put down double tracks between
Alexandria aud Jackson City. Tho
last proposition was amended 80 as to
include q double track over Long
bridge also.
About o'clock Mr.. James MtCuen
arose and called the assembly TO order
and stated the object OF the gathering.
Mr.. Z. NJ. Birrell nominated Mr.. F.
G. Swaine for chairman. but that gen.
tleman begged to be excused, and Mr..
A. D. Brockett was proposed. He too,
begged of, when Mr.. Julian Taylor
was nominated and elected.
Mr.. james McCuen moved the APP
Dointment OF committee to appear
before Council tonight and ask that the
present ordinance regulating the speed
Of the trains be rescinded.
A voice-"Better get ct the railway
company frs" Applause.
Mr.. Z. NJ. Birrell arose and said he
had understood that the meeting wac
to be resolved into general kicking
sssoclaiion-not to be limited to sim
Dle protest against slow running. There
we're many other grievances, he said,
which should be ventilated, and he
produced written speech which he
proceeded to read portraying 10 detail
all the alleged Inconvenience and
worries to which patrons of The road
are subjected.
Mr.. McCuen urged the adoption OF
his motion.
Msjor K. w. Hunter asked If the
cars now reached speed of five miles
an hour in passing through the city.
Mr.. McCusn-"Yes; they have been
timed"
Msior Hunter said the company
should be made to put down double
tracks, and one of the speakers urged
that two tracks should be put on Long
Bridge.
There was manifest disposition
on the part Of some to cast the odium OF
the whole affair on Council for enacting
tie present law, but Major Hunter de-
INJURED to the term "obaoxious law"
which few had used 10 the debate.
Council, be believed, had acted with
judgment aud through proper motives.
Mr.. McCuen pa'sively acquiesced
hut said hat while Council had aimed
at the rsil Fsy company, it had struck
Innocent people who were suffering
rom the present regime. Mr.. McCuen
also said that Councilmeu in voting for
the ordinance did not know what they
were doing, having no comprehension
of a fve-mile-an-hour gait. Most OF
them were now re dy 10 vote for re-
consideration and had told him So
Mr.. Birrell urged that committee
should be appointed to wait upon the
officials OF the road first, and demand
relief from the prevailing order OF
things.
Mr.. A. G. Uhler thought the griev-
snce of the people was not against the
City Council, but the railway company.
Loud applause. The meeting had
Osen called to protest against the man.
ner 10 which the trains were being run
and not to upbraid the city fathers.
He believed in taking the bull by the
horns and "goine for'' the railway
company as quickly as possible.
He did not believe the cars were
DOW being run at the rate of five
miles an hour. He favored demanding
relief OF thn company.
Mr.. McCuen spoke to bis motion.
The committee should lay all griev-
auces before Council. That body can
control the road; a committee appoint.
ed by the meeting could not. Should
deputation go to the railway officials
and protest against the present rate of
speed the latter would simply say they
we're obeying the laws of the city and
would refer the committee to Council
if they desire different order of
things.
He was followed by Mr.. Uhler. who
excoristed the company for its alleged
failure to afford quick transportation,
proper conveniences in the cars, etc.
Mr.. Birrell 10 his speech had sug-
gested that il the presentrste OF speed
between Alexandria and Washington
was to be maintsiued the company
be importuned to put sleepsrs on be-
tween the cities for the comfort of pas
seDgers,
Mr.. F. Paff took the floor and spoke |
of the danger from the high rate of
speed formerly maintained by the
lraino anI fnIL IL rnnnnk annid L