The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-10

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Another meeting to protest against the
proposed advance in street car fares on
the Brightwood branch of the Washington
Traction and Electric Company was held
last night This time il was the Bright
wood Citizens Association who put the
stamp of their disapproval upon the pro-
posed change.
The meeting was held in the hall at
the Brightwood Hotel, and there were
present many members of the association,
and also number of residents Of Takoma
Park and other suburban points on the
Brightwood line.
After rather stormy session, in which
the conservative and radical elements had
several oratorical contests, it was decided
to take no extreme steps at present. A
committee, consisting of Messrs. w. ].
Lambert, R. NJ johnson. N. E. Robinson,
c. r. Newman, and L. Guide, was appointed
and instructed to confer with representa-
tives of the railway company and find out
what measures could be taken to settle
the trouble. The conference will occur
Saturday
Louis p Shoemaker. President of the
Brightwood Citizens Association, was in
the chair, and called the meeting to order.
J. A. Suel was elected secretary. Presi-
dent Shoemaker spoke briefly outlining the
causes that lead up to the meeting. In
conclusion he presented the following reso-
luton:
Whereas it is contended on the part of the
railway company that the receipts are less than
. the expenses and therefore the fare on the
Brghtwood road must be increased, the peo-
pie of Brightwood and vicinity cannot understand
why this should be fact. Nevertheless, mn
ing that this is true Of TIE past, contend that
it has been caused by the following
tirst-The cars have not been the road in
sufficient numbers to accommodate the people.
Second-Regular patrons well those who
ride merely for pleasure have been inconvenienced
and unable to obtain seats.
Third-For several months the cars have not
been running the charter prescribes TO Florida
Avenue, consequently immediate connection could
not be had with the Capital Traction, greatly to
the inconvenience Of all.
Fourth-The cars have been kept in a neg
lected condition and very Objectionable TO those
who well dressed and out pleasure
trips
Fifth-The dust on the road has been for
long time ntolerable, to those who have
been obliged TO the road, and certainly so
Objectionable as TO prevent those who are out fog
pleasure from using this road in preference 10
other suburban lines
sixth-The line has been in a transition state
for long time. The driveway has been under
going extended repairs for more than year, and
is not yet finished; new road bed has been laid
at great expense, and it is much appreciated, and
il has been generally known to the public that
the Brightwood line and the avenue as drive
way have been undergoing repairs for two years
Sevenih-The Brightwood road has been the
last TO be properly equipped
Considering therefore, all these objections, We
are confidently of the opinion that the Bright
has taat hasr xf1nr nv any n1ga
its full share or even proportion OF the regular
or excursion and pleasing riding public There
fore, he it
Resolved by the citizens of Brfghtwood. Ia
koma, and vicinity. in public meeting assembled,
That we deem il unwise. unjust. and detrimental
to the community as well the railway company
to declare at this time higher fare, and set up
the past condition of affairs as reason and
necessity for doing and be il further resolved,
That 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 II has not only caused all the houses to
become occupied, but many new ones to be con-
strueted, and We feel confident that the proposed
increase OF fare will not only check this apparent
rapid development, but reflect uniustly against
this section, and that il will undoubtedly LEO
operate against the best interests OF the railway
company.
Then for these reasons and with due regs.c for
the interests Of me railway company anu he
community which deem mutual, -SspeCt-
fully urge that our new equipment shall imme-
diately be made perfect and complete, that our
cars shall through 10 the centre Of the city
for fare six tickets for 25 cents for at least
six months and at the end Of such time de-
sire TO hear from said company 10 the business
OF the Brightwood road.
We confidently belieye that the COMPANY viii
he content with the and satisfied to con-
tnue indefinitely the system herein suggested for
six months trial.
R. NJ Johnson followed. He said that
for seven years the company had made
promise after promise to the residents
OF Brightwood, and none had been kept
He was in favor of fighting the company
TO the last ditch on the issue of a double
fare and four tickets for rs cents. He
offered set OF resolutions to the effect
that the B-ightwood Road be boyectted as
long as the higher rate should be main
tanned, and that in travelling TO and from
the city people should patroniZe, as far
as possible, the Fourteenth Street line of
the Capital Traction Company.
This was little too radical for por-
tion of the assembly. The Takoma Park |
delegation in particular was opposed 10 a |
boycott until 1t was learned what stand |
the company would take in the face of the |
demand that a one-fare rate ne D,aintained |
'ii the Brightwood line. ]. d. Kinnear, |
Colonel Kniffin, and NJ. c. Clayton spoke. |
They all talked in the same strain and |
were agreed that If the fare was raised !
1t would work lasting injury to Bright |
wood aud other suburban points on the |
Road. The general opinion |
among these speakers was that If COM
mittee representing the people of Bright
wood and Takoma would ask that the |
present fare be maintained the corpora
ton would grant the request.
Dr. c. G. Stone then put in a word for
the company. He expressed himself as
shat Brightwood residents lid
not consider the benefit the road had been
to them. This sympathy for the company
was unfayorably received. DR.. Stone was
interrupted.
Several residents Of Brightwood who
said they had moved into that suburb on
account of the one-fare rate then spoke
They asserted that rather than submit to
the advance they would move away from
and they predicted that many
others wclld follow their example.
The matter of choosing between the
Shoemaker resolutions, which are similar
10 those adopted by the Takoma Park AS
ISOLATION a few days ago, and those sub
mitted by Mr.. Johnson then came up. AZ
ter considerable debate a vote was taken