The times., 1901-06-25
PASSING OF THE Big CARS
The Traction Company Has Sold
Nearly All Its New Coaches.
Because of n Popular CIamor a Re-
turn to the Little TraiIers Was De-
termined Upon-An Exception Made
I'm the Case of the G Street Line.

I'm the Case of the G Street Line.
The officials of the Washington Traction
Company have decided to operate the lit
tie trailers and motors formerly in use on
the f Street line and have withdrawn all
of the large closed cars which-were run
during the past winter. The large cars
have already been sold to various street
railway companies throughout the coun-
try and have been shipped to the pur-
chasers. The consignment comprised
every large closed car in the possession
of the company, with the exception of
those being operated on G Street In all.
forty of the large modern cars were sold.
The officials of the company yesterday
made a statement that the cars were sold
because they would not be neeced any
longer, since the decision of the company
to put back in operation all the old-style
cars, which have been in storage for some
time
This action was decided upon, according
to the officials, because the people of
Washington did not appreciate the efforts
of the company to give them the best
street railway service in the United States
and because they complained of the big
costly cars, which were put on ID replace
the little trailers. The complaints had the
effect of causing the Commissioners to
report against the big cars, and, it is
alleged, caused the Traction Company
much trouble, SO that in order to benefit
the residents Of the District of Columbia
and to save themselves worry and ex-
pense, it was finally decided to let the
people have their way and to give them
the poorer service which follows the use
of the little cars.
The decision was reached early last
week and was kept SO quiet that not until
the cars had been placed on freight trains
and sent out of the city did the change
become known. 1t is predicted by the
Traction Company officials that the peo-
pie will discover their mistake next win
ter and during the coming winters, but
under no circumstances, it is claimed, will
the company buy any more large closed
cars or again operate the cars sold last
week.
A peculiar phase of the matter is the
fact that the Traction Company officials
are keeping profoundly secret the destina-
tior. of the cars. Under no circumstances,
they say, viii the purchasers be made
known. The reasons given for this are
that the information would have no pub
lie interest and that the facts were with
held for very good reasons which the
company uOeS not care 10 Hldht publtC
1t is known, however, that the cars were
shipped over the Pennsylvania and South
ern Railroads TO Southern points and that
several of the consignments went to Phil
adelphia. 1t is also rumored that few
of the cars will be found on the E2w cleo
trio railroad in Havana within a few
weeks.
When seen about the matter yesterday
morning, G. H. Harries, Vice President and
General Manager of the Traction Com
pany, admitted that all of the big closed
cars on the f Street line had been sold
and shipped to the buyers
Il only want to say a few words for
publication" said he, ''in justice to the
company Our Issasons for taking these
cars off were good. The people of Wash
ington did not seem to appreciate our ef-
forts to give them a good service and the
best rolling stock obtainable. They kick
ed every day and sent bushels of COM
plants about the size of the cars; they
said the cars shook the houses along the
streets and made sleep an impossibility.
According TO some of the complaints the
cars were a nuisance.
The Commissioners took up the matter
and reported against the big cars. Now
what could this complny do? II the peo-
pie do not want good, big, comfortable,
costly cars we can easily take the green
trailers out and let them use them We
have all of the little cars in storage and
will run them in future II costs US less
to operate the small cars and we are not
at all sorry that the people want the big
cars discontinued.
It was stated that the big closed cars on
the Street line will not be removed. as
there has been no complaint about them
lin cars on the other systems will remain
as at present. The new order does not af-
feet the summer cars on the F Street line
and these will be in use until the cool
weather sets in.
1t was learned upon good authority yes
terday that a street car company in At
lanta received a good share of the cars
disposed of. The builders were in arrears
to the Atlanta line for about dozen big
cars and those in the possession of the
local traction company were turned over
| under an agreement favorable to every
body concerned.