The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-14

The resignation OF w L. Hart. general
superintendent of the Washington Trac-
ton and Electric Company. has been called
for by the syndicate to take effect on Sep
TENDER /. He is granted leave with pay
from August Is so that his relations with
the company are TO be severed almost i'm
mediately.
Much surprise has been caused among
the friends of Mr. Hart and among the
large number of the employees OF the syn
dictate generally. at this virtual dismissal
of an officer who has been popular. and, as
far as was generally known, thoroughly
efficient and trustworthy. officers of the
syndicate refuse TO make any statement
as to the reason for his enforced resigna-
ton Mr. Hart also, when seen last night,
refused to make any statement. friend
of Mr.. Hart. however, who was seen re-
garding the matter did suggest that in
his opinion the move is a great injustice
to him, and very poor reward for his
work in unifying the workings of the
system, experimenting much of the en-
cheering ana keeping the men contented,
all of which have been among his tasks,
and all of which he is said to have carried
forward successfully.
1t is further stated that he rs to suffer
because he has opposed the new two
fare and one transfer plan of the syndi-
cate, and that he is to give way to Jilson
J. Coleman, who brought the new plan TO
Washington from ST. Louis, where its
Inauguration, with other new methods
brought on the great street railway strike.
Mr. Hart is an engineer He came from
Baltimore eighteen months ago, at the re-
quest of the syndicate, to take charge OF
tie engineering work in connection with
the unifcation of its eleven railways. He
is a practical street railway man also. and
his ability soon secured him the position
Of general superintendent of the entire
system. These two position he has held
since that time. He has been very sue
cessful with the conductors and motormen
of the system. over whom he has had i'm
mediate charge, and has done much to
keep them in a conteated frame of mind
when street railway strikes and disturb
ences have been common in various parts
OF the country.
The reason suggested for his dismissal
by syndicate officers last night, although
no statement could be secured was that
the new engineering work is now virtually
completed. and that in the general sol1di-
flying of the various lines it has been
found possible 10 cut down the list of en-
ployes withoU, injuring tine effectiveness
of the force. The other reason given by
the gentleman above quoted is more in
teresting because it goes more into par
ticul2rs.
Has Not Favored Two Fares.
1t Is asserted that he is forced to re-
sign because ne has not favored the pro-
posed increase of fares on the Bright
wood and the Tenleytown lines, and be-
cause he has opposed the new transfer
system 10 go into effect tomorrow, coin
ciCsnt with tine date of his retirement.
These changes. it is said, Mr.. Hart has
considered bad business, not only because
they would ALLEVIATE the good will of the
patrons of the lines. but because. in his
opinion. they would be likely to cut down
the revenues instead of increasing them,
as was desired by driving people TO use
other lines and causing them to move
back into the city from the suburbs.
1t is stated as highly probable and, in
fact, finally decided by the syndicate that
ulson j. Coleman. who is at present en-
ployed by the syndicate under the title
of assistant to the president, Will be put
into Mr.. Harris position. Mr.. Coleman
does not object TO the increase Of fares
on the suburban lines or to the cutting
down Of transfer privileges. 1t is stated,
in fact, that these ideas are his alone, and
that it was the ability to originate plans
of this kind that secured him Mr.. Harris
berth.
shorter Hours and Less Pay.
Another plan adopted by the syndicate
at Mr.. Coleman's suggestion. has been the
arrangement If the schedules so that the
services of the conductors and motormen
can be curtailed by two or more hours
aud their pay correspondingly reduced.
As many more cars are run during the
busy hours CT the day, between : and 10
in the morning and between 3 and G in
the evening the men who have hereto
fore been given a full days work and
pay are now put on these two three-hour
shifts and Only allowed 10 work the six
hours. Their ray is by the hour. II is
Understood that the system of payment
by the trip instead Of by the day or the
hour. viii now soon be adopted. The adj
vantage Of this plan. or one of its advan-
tages. is supposed TO be that when there
is a tie-up the system. of no matter
how long. the men Will not draw any pay
for the time they lose. They may have
TO work overtime to complete their al
lotsed number of trips, or they may be
compelled to lose one trip.
II is asserted that while these methods
may be temporarily remunerative to the
syndicate they make the men disconnected
and in other ways are not far-sighted or
economical.
Mr.. Coleman is an Importation from ST.
Louis, where. as has been said he has been
connected with the railway syndicate dur
ing the great strike 1t is asserted that
Il was his methods there, as general man
ager Of the system, which brought on the
strike, and that he Is now attempting the
same methods here. 1t is said that he
Sontemplates bringing to Washington a
man named Leslie, who worked with him
IN St. Louis in inaugurating the reforms
that were so distasteful to the employees.
Gr. Coleman Is said already to have won
>-e il VIII ct many OF the employees of
the syndicate b. his unpleasant and harsh
EsEEtr. 30 ssy nothing OF mis- methods of
eL.t;- ieNa expenses,
fsri,s zIticn to Double Fares.
Z 81 Suggested that the strong protests
o the four citizens associations en-
tHs Bligh,WooI and the Tenleytown
H-cs 10 Inc increase OF the fare On
ibc-c lines in a.es the probable great
'np5pniaritg o. dr c-leman's alleged i'm
pr5yeEea.s n IL Hsri's mana ement.
These assoei5Coas are strong bodies and
,olF-isa IeaTiy ELL the important and in