The Washington times., 1902-01-28
STREET LIGHTS
AND RAILWAYS
Discussed by N. Capitol and
lexington Citizens.
FEATURES OF PROPOSED BILL
1t Limits Speed of Cars and Provides
for Medical Inspection in Pub.
bile schools.

Better street railway service in the Dis
trict of Columbia, medical inspection in
the public schools. and the continuation of
electric lighting in preference to gas were
the subjects chiefly discussed last night
at the meeting of the North Capitol and
lexington Citizens Association.
The association, by vote, added the
names Of Messrs. r. H. Strother. A. d.
Spangler, and B. F. Locraft to the list of
members.
A special report was received from the
chairman of the railroad committee, in
which the bill authorized to be drawn by
the central committee of associations,
which met recently was presented. 1t
was read in full and commented upon by
the chairman of the committee, Mr.. Will
lam j. Hughes.
The bill contained many special clauses
calc1lated to improve the present railway
service. 1t provides that the weight of
the cars run in the city shall be limited
to ten tons, as at present, but gives the
District Commissioners discretionary pow
er to issue special permits for heavier
cars on suburban lines and under certain
circumstances.
Limits Speed of Cars.
The speed of the cars is limited to
twelve miles an hour, except that by spe-
cial permission from the Commissioners
they may be run at faster speed in those
portions of the city where the traffic does
not call for the slower speed. The idea
behind this regulation is to secure more
rapid transit consistent with the require
ments of safety to passengers and people
in the streets.
The bill proposes considerable exten-
sion of transfer privileges, being practi-
cally unlimited over the lines operated by
the same company.
The schedules upor which cars are to
be run are to be posted in the cars after
being adopted by the companies and ap-
proved by the District Commissioners. The
idea Of this regulation is that people US
ing a car may know Its route, the time be-
tween cars. as we'll as the first and last
cars at morning and at night.
A Penalty Clause.
One of the most important features of
the bill is the penalty clause, which pre-
scribes fines of from 500 to 500 for each
offence.
A motion presented by Mr.. Irwin B.
Linton protested against the recent rec
ommendation OF the Electrical Engineer
of the District to the effect that the
electric lights now in use in lexington
be discontinued and gas lamps installed.
In the discussion it was strongly inti-
mated that the gas company was inter
ested in the change. against the electric
lighting company 1t was stated that the
electric lighting company had sent notices
to its patrons to the effect that the lines
were to be improved and that soon the
condition. of which the Electrical En-
eineer complained would be remedied
The motion was finally amended to the eff
feet that the present electric lights lie
allowed to remain and that they be ex-
tended to Rhode Island Avenue, V, ana
Albany Streets northeast.
Medical Inspection for schools.
The report on the medical inspection IN
the public schools was submitted py DF'
Thompson, who detailed the plans OF th<
Medical Society to secure such inspection
in the schools. He set forth the good ef-
fects of such inspection as practiced in
other cities. He indicated that much
might be saved in the way of the spread
of contagious disease by such a law.
The association voted to lend its aid TO
the District Commissioners to secure the
appropriation of $500 for the purpose OF
hiring eleven inspectors for the purpose
named.
The association unanimously endorsed
l.r Iata in tho anf- RI
committee of associations relative to the
advance from the United States Treasury
of the money necessary for public i'm
provement.