The evening times., 1900-02-07
TIE BERRY STREET CAR BILL.
The House District Committee Hears
Arguments in Its Favor.

me House BlNtrtCI ON mlltec hEuEH
Arguments in Its Favor.
Representative Berry OF Kentucky. who
introduced a bill providing a 3-cent car
fare and eight tickets for a quarter. YES
ubuled cars and an sII-night car service,
appeared before the House District Com
mittee this morning, and made an ex-
tended argument He argued that the
street cars in Washington could be cper-
ated at a profit when charging a Scent
car fare.
Mr.. Berry said he was a city councilman
for Washington; the law made him such,
and it was his right to appear before the
committee and urge better street car ac-
commodation for the city He wanted the
companies to put on more cars. and he
thought a man who stood Up should not
pGy as much fare as The man who had a
seat Referring 20 the section OF the bill
requiring vesub1les FOR the protection o,
the motormen. 31r- Berry said that 20 have
motormen on the car unprotected was bar
barous. He criticised the letter OF tue
District Commissioners for their oppc
lion 10 vesdbuIes for cars
But" said Mr. Berry. "the Comm.s-
sioners suggest that hereafter all ears pur-
chased by the street railroad companies Of
Washington must be equipped with vesti-
bules. II it is a good thing for the future.
why not now 90
The Commissioners he said. spoke Of the
lovely climate Of Washington. Mr. Berry
disagreed with them. The present law.
Nr. Berry said required a reduction OF
street car fare when the companies make
. I'd
be easy for the companies 20 conceal how
much they earned and thus escape.
If we don't get the cent fare but Sc
cure protection OF the m0tOrmen and an
an night car service il would be some
thing. he said. The District Commission
CTS say they viii prepare a draft Of a bill
10 improve the street car service. II YOU
wait on the Commissioners you viii wcit
long time"
/ Mrs. Mary E. Kent. President Of the Fed
GRAFTON Of Clubs. spoke briefly in favor Of
! the proposition requiring vestl5ules. Cars
/ in other cities. she said. were equipped with
yesubules and there ought to be no eNcep-
( tiou here. II would be IN The interest of
/ humanity Mrs. Sperry and Mrs. Kelly. OF
/ the Federation OF Women's Clubs. also ad-
( vocated vestibules for The ears
George T. Dunlop. President Of the
/ Capital Traction Company, appeared in
I opposition TO the bill. He said four years
/ ago Congress had required lis company
I 10 build an extension OF The road in
/ Georgetown. and TO build a union station
! for The accommodation OF suburban roads
/ IT cost the company S450. 600 20 build a
! half mile CT track and the station. and the
/ site sOr the station was named by Com
/ greSs in opposition 10 the company Not
ia single suburban road. he said had been
Z brought into that station. II the ca-s were
] VEe ff1 hn
bic % get them into their building in
Geoi getown, or the Navy Tsiss building.
In response 10 a question from Mr.. Nor
I ton Mr. Dunlop said the mOtormen had
/ never complained TO him nor suggested
| that they wanted vestibules.
Mr.. Mercer said the men would be fool
ish TO complain. for II they did they would
lose their places
I Mr.. Dunlop denied that the men would
be discharged. The company, he said. was
/ careful TO look after the interests of their
| employees, and he was always ready to
hear the men. He said he believed Wash
| ington had the best street car service in
/ the world.
Mr. Dunlop said no one had ever asked
/ for an all-night car service There had
1 been no official complaint except in the
| newspapers.
well. I'll enter a complaint now" said
! Mr. Norton. laughingly-
Mir. Dunlop said il did not require leg
I isiatiOn 10 secure an all-night ear service.
/ the District Commissioners under the pres
ent law had power 10 require the street
car companies to furnish it. The first
night the cars on his line ran all night.
said Mr.. Dunlop. the receipts we're $3.50
and last night the receipts amounted 10
$3.50
In response TO question. Mr.. DunIop
I said vestibules would be an absolute detri-
I ment 10 the mOtormsn.
Mr. Sims said he wanted to hear some
thing about the cent car fare.
I'm coming 10 that" said SIr Dun
lop. In our statement to the District
Commissioners we show that il coets the
company two and siX-tenths cents for each
passenger. so that answers the 3-cent fare
proposition"
The committee then adjourned until to-
morrow. when Mr.. Truesdell. President OF
the Washington Traction Company. viii be
| heard.