The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-16

complaint from Whitman OSgood, chfet oil
a division in the Census Office, relative to
treatment he received at the hands of an
employee of the Metropolitan Street Rail
way line He informs the Commissioners
that on certain date he boarded car 724
OF the line named at the Baltimore and
Ohio depot, paid his fare, and asked the
conductor for a transfer west of George
! town to the Glen Echo line. He states
that it was not given to him. and that he
gave no thought to the matter.
Mr.. Osgood informs the Commissioners
THAI when the car reached Dupont Circle
rain had set in. and that he concluded that
that he would not go to Glen Echo, but
transfer north to the Boundary. He states
that upon asking the conductor for
transfer TO enable MIN to do this, the lat
ter refused saying that it was too late
His tone was not amiable, says Mr.. Os-
good, and was calculated to humiliate the
passenger in the eyes of others present
Mr.. Osgood states that he called the at
tention of the conductor to the fact that
he had asked for a transfer at the time of
entering the car and that 1t was not given
to him. He states that the conductor told
him that when he asked for the transfer
it was to go west to Georgetown, and he
was told that he could not now be trans
fered anywhere else. Continuing Mr. Os-
good writes:
Upon enquiry l found that his action
was in accordance with rule adopted by
the Metropolitan line but which was rot
piacarded in that car, so that | was in
Ignorance of 1t at the time. | protest
against this arbitrary denial of a pas
senger's right to change his destination
after entering the car and stating his pur-
pose to the conductor, particularly as in
my case no transfer had been issued l
believe that the first rule of most rail-
roads is to accommodate their patrons
and certainly 1t is in such cases as this
just the reverse. and calculated to deny
TO a passenger a privilege which should
be accorded to him without question.
Therefore, l would respectfully request
that action be taken to compel the car
lines in this city to permit passenger to
change his transfer after receiving che
should he alter his intention in regard to
his destination
The letter of Mr.. osgood was referred
by the Commissioners to George II. Har-
ries, Vice President of the Metropolitan
Line. and in reply General Harries stated
that he referred the matter to the gen.
eral manager for report, which was:
That people who desire to go west from
the Georgetown line to the Great Falls
line. can do SO either on a transfer. cash
fare, or ticket. There is no transfer given
between the Georgetown line and the
Great Falls line. 1t is simply an idenii-
fcation ticket, and when Mr. Osgood asked
the conductor for a transfer TO the Glen
Echo line. he paid no further attention to
the matter, as our rule does not authorize
conductors to issue such Identification
ticket until after they arrive at Thirty
sixth and Prospect Streets. Mr.. Osgood
states that some time after he asked the
conductor for transfer to the Connect
cut Avenue line, as it was raining. and
he changed his mind. Under these cir
cumstances the conductor was right in
not issuing transfer. as transfers must
be obtained at the time passengers pay
their fare, which is not the case with
reference to Identification tickets given
between the Metropolitan Railroad and
the Great Falls road"
In taking action in the matter the
Commissioners have voted that Mr.. os-
good shall be informed in accordance with
the report received through Vice Presi-
dent Harries.
The Commissioners have approved an
application of the Chesapeake and Poto-
mac Telephone Company TO string two
wires from cable pole in square 80 10
house 1884 Massachusetts Avenue north
west.
In moving the approval Of the applica-
ton Commissioner Beach stated to his as
sociates that he proposed this action with
the distinct understanding that it was not
to be taken as precedent for the erection
of poles in other cases. Commissioner
Beach stated his reason for making the
recommendation in this case was that
the telephone to be installed will be in
the house of Dr. Carter. attending sur
geon for the army. who IS called upon to
attend officers of the army stationed in
Washington and their families. Commits
sioner Beach also stated that DR.. Carter
has in charge families OF officers serving
in the Philippines and otherwise removed
from home and in these latter cases tele-
phone communication is of particular i'm
portance, as other means of summoning
the doctor are frequently impracticable
and expensive.
Commissioner Dyach stated his belief
that on account of the use to which the
telephone would be put it is matter of
public Importance.
The American Ice Company recently re-
quested permission to repair the wharf
on Water Street between Ninth and
Tenth Streets southwest, and to drive six
piles. and also to drive piles on the Tenth
Street wharf.
John B. Brady. the Inspector of Build
ngs. in reporting upon the matter. in
formed the Commissioners that the piles