The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-08
IN SUPPORT OF HIS BILL.
Mr.. Berry Makes nm Argument for
Lower Street Cnr Enre.

The House District Committee yesterday
gave hearing on the bill introduced by
Mr.. Berry of Kentucky. providing for s.
cent car fare, all-night car service. and the
cars to be vestibuled for the protection Of
the motormen. Mr.. Berry made an ex-
tended argument in support of the bill.
He said when the Washington and George
town line commenced business the stock
| in that road was down to Sc cents. It
went up to s2.40. He expressed the opinion
that that road would pay each year % per
| cent of its cost, had it not been connected
with non-paying suburban roads. 1t was
common practice, Mr.. Berry said, for
railroads. when they were making money,
to buy in other lines and thus reduce the
apparent profit. The time was bound 10
come. he said when street car fares in all
the big cities of the country would be re-
duced. The best place TO begin, he
thought, was right here at the National
Capital
He was positive the street cars in Wash
ington could be operated at profit on 3
cent-fare basis. He thought the present
street car system was all right, but there
were not enough cars to accommodate the
travelling public.
Referring to the section of his bill re-
quiring the cars to be vestibuled. Mr.. Berry
said it was barbarous not to protect the
motormen. The street cars In the little
town of Newport he said were vestibuled,
and there was no reason why the cars
should not be so equipped in this city.
Discussing the Commissioners report on
the subject of vestibuled cars, Mr.. Berry
said the Commissioners admitted it would
be wise to equip cars to be hereafter pur-
chased by the street car companies with
vestibules. but did not think it necessary
to change the cars now in use. II vestibule
cars were good for the future, they were
gooi for the present.
Mrs. Carrie E. Kent. Mrs. Sperry. and
Mrs. Kibbey, representing the Federation
Of Women's Clubs of the District, appear
ed in advocacy of the Mercer bill, to yesti-
bule street cars. President Dunlop, of the
Capital Traction Company, addressed the
committee in opposition to the Berry bill
Four years ago he said. Congress passed
law compelling his company TO extend
the road less than half mile and build
union station for the accommodation of
suburban lines. The extension of the
road and the station cost the company
Si5o,000 and not single suburban road
had been brought into the station. The
station, he said was of no use to the COM
pany, except the first floor, which was used
for the storage of cars. and the building
had been so constructed that there was
less than an inch Of space between the
cars. II the cars were vestibuled they
could not be handled in the building.
. Mr.. Dunlop said the motormen had never
complained nor suggested that they would
like the cars vestibuled
Mr.. Mercer said the men would be foolish
to complain. for il they did they would
lose their positions.
Mr.. Dunlop denied that the men would
be discharged.
There was no demand for an all-night
car service. Mr. Dunlcc said. except from
newspapers and gamblers. Reverting to
the subject of vestibules for the cars. Mr..
Dunlop said they would be an absolute
detriment to the mctormen.
Mr.. Sims wanted some information about
Scent fare. In reply Mr.. Dunlop said it
cost the company 9 6-l0 cents for each
passenger At this point the hearing
closed. D
Mr.. Truesdeii. President of the Wash
ington Traction Company, Will be heard
this morning -]