The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-08
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
Complaint of Unsatisfactory Ser
vice on a Street Railway.
Naval Observatory oGiciaIs Declare
That the Georgetown and TeDiey-
OF Passengers-Annoy Caused
by Ringing the Bell OF Fiat.

Henry D. Todd, Director of the Nauti-
| cal Almanac, recently wrote to the Super
iLtendent of that institution complaining
Of the unsatisfactory service of the George
town and Tenleytown Street Railroad, and
stating that it is "a serious and daily an
noyance to all the employees of the ObseIy-
! ! atory.
Y beg leave to report" writes Prof.
Todd, that there are many delays and in
terruptions on the electric line from
Georgetown past tie Naval Observatory,
especially during the past few weeks, and
l wish to make formal complaint OF The
unsatisfactory manner OF running the cars
OF this railroad During the last seven
years 1 have BEEN going and coming con-
, stantly to the Naval Observatory. and al
our reaching our destination, there are
more delays now than under the old sys
TEN.
These are constantly recurring, pre-
venting those connected with this office
from arriving on time. l could mention
many instances Recently ! was
obliged to wait at St. Adams
Church station from twenty to
twenty-five minutes for car and the
same thing occurred the next day. That
same day On my return | was compelled to
wait hour at the Naval Observatory
gate for car going up the road. Later,
five assistants OF this Office were detained
for half an hour waiting for car coming
TO the Observatory.
The uncertainty about reaching the Of
fee in time causes dissatisfaction, and be-
sides the efficiency of the office is impair
ed by these constant delays The improve
ment of the road not only in its cars, but
in its roadbed, is important but from some
cause or other the service is less efficient
than before the improvements were made.
Il have the nonor TO request that this
complaint may be brought TO the attention
of the president OF the road or to the Dis
trict Commissioners with such endorse
ment as you may see fit to add.
Capt. c. H. Davis, Superintendent Of the
Naval Observatory, transmitted Prof.
Todd's letter to the Commissioners, add
ing his own statement: Il desire to add in
the endorsement of this complaint, that 1
know from personal observation il is en-
tirely reasonable and is even understated.
1t is needless to particularize but instance
after instance occurs daily and could be
cited by any of the attaches OF the OBJ
seryatory to show that the service on this
road is indescribably bad. In my own case
/ Will mention circumstance. One even
ing recently l waited one-half hour at the
Observatory gate. AT the end of that time
cars began to arrive, and car after car
passed in rapid succession. not one of
which would stop for me, though they were
by means crowded. 1t ended in my
walking to the Junction at Thirtysecond
and o streets The same night coming
out, waited twenty minutes at the juno
ton, and then walked out Not a car over
took me between the junction and the gate
OF the Observatory. more glaring abuse
is that twice within the last six months, 70
my personal knowledge, based on observa-
| ton the whole traffic of the road has been
held up in order that a tawdry private car
might have clear track.
The condition of this road is not only
an interference with the bushes of the
Observatory, but a serious and daily an
noyance TO all its employees
Captain Davis letter was duly acknowl-
edged by the Commissioners and an in
vestisation promised, the complaints of
Professor Todd and Captain Davis being
referred to the Engineer Department for
that purpose. An inspector was sent end
the time of the ears taken as they passed
ThiTtY-second and P Streets. and prior to
August l. when a new schedule went into
effect the report was that the cars did
not keep TO the schedule. but observation
since August l goes 10 show that the COM
pany maintains a fifteen minute schedule
on the TenIeytown line. In transmitting
the report of the Inspector to the Engi-
neer Commissioner. Captain Newcomer
states that he believes the service has
been materially improved since August /
and he suggests that the complainantS be
informed of that fact and that the Com
missioners desire TO be informed if the
fifteen-minute schedule is not maintained.
Judson Lincoln. of 1904 Fourteenth Street
northwest complains in letter to the
Commissioners Of persons ringing the bell
of his fiat. greatly TO the annoyance of him
self and family. Mr. Lincoln also COM
planned that horses are kept al night in
the rear of 2300 Fourteenth Street, though
there is no stable or drainage for such
purposes.
The complaint having been referred to
the Police Department for investigation,
Private o. II. Coffin reported that he called
upon the owner of the horses kept in the
rear of 2900 Fourteenth Street and that he
had promised to refrain from keeping his
horses there in the future.
Lieutenant John kenney, in forwarding
the report of the officer to the Superintend-
ent, stated that a warrant would be pro-
cured for the owner of the horses If he did
not keep to his promise in the matter The
lieutenant also said that he would detail
an officer to watch and ascertain who the