The Washington times., 1902-03-07
Commissioner Ross Dis
SentS From Opinion of
His Colleagues.
TO INCREASE CAR SERVICE
Believes Corporations Should Be Urged
to Take Immediate Steps to Provide
for Proper Seating Capacity for Their
Patrons

Commissioner John W. Ross. of the
District Beard, yesterday submitted to
his associates a dissenting opinion upon
House bill No. 114OS and Senate bill No.
S971. providing that the filling Of street
cars beyond their seating capacity be for
hidden in the District Of Columbia.
1t will be recalled that Colonel Biddle.
the Engineer Commissioner. recommend
ed that an adverse report be sent to the
committees of Congress upon the bills, on
the ground that their enactment would
prove unsatisfactory to the public as
well as TO the railroad companies Mr..
Ross, in his statement, says:
To Give Company Time.
Il endorse the action taken by my as
sociates upon this bill, to the effect that
if enacted now it would prove unsatis-
factory to the travelling public rs well as
10 the railroad companies But. while its
enactment might at this time work
hardship to the reads and an inconveni-
ence TO the travelling public, yet it would
seem that it might properly become
statute, TO take effect after a lapse CT
time sufficient to cradle the companies
to provide proper equipment for com
pliance with its requirements.
AT certain hours of the day and night,
especially during the months when Cen
gress is in session. the car service is
grossly inadequate. 4 speedy partial re-
lief could be had by the enactment OF
Senate bill No, 5S22. second session, Fif-
ty-sixth Congress. which has been again
presented TO the Congress. and which
would give TO the Commissioners the
power to amend and to enforce the
amended running schedules.
Shorter Intervals.
These schedules should require shorter
intervals between cars in the city on
certain lines: on Sundays. before and after
the hours o. church service, and on every
other day before and after the hours OF
public entertainments and prior to the
opening and after the closing of the de-
partments. They should also cure scme
OF the evils complained OF with regard
to some Of the suburban roads, whose in
tervlls between cars are in some in
stances SO great as to make the service
rendered wholly unsatisfactory.
While the service rendered al present
is ia ,aany respects most commendable.
yet there are many just complaints which
should receive immediate attention. Pa
irons OF one Of the reads state that al
though they take their position at the
points required by The regulations for
cars to stop. as many as three cars not
though duly signaled to do so.
Franchises Grow in Value.
THE franchises owned by the street
railways Of Washington become more val
liable year by year. BY reason of the
iaudable policy Of the Congress TO refuse
TO charter new roads, granting instead
extensions when needed to existing COM
panies. The city roads pay good divi-
deRds On their watered stock. They
Should render to the public efficient and
courteous service.
Experts state that sly trailer which
can be lighted by electricity can be easily
heated. They should heat all of their
coaches during severe weather. They
should iateiligently ventiIate them. They
should not require OF their employees such
extended tours Of duty as to unfit them
10 perform their arduous tasks with safe
~ to the public. They should give TO
the men time to eat lunch at midday. and
not compel them 10 serve all day with
ont food.
Should Issue Transfers.
Transfers should be compelled between
the two systems at carefully selected
points, upon terms fair to the roads No.
tices upon all OF the cars of the ConsoIi-
dated system going from the business CEN
ire might be posted to inform the pas
serger what the destination of the car is
20 be. and printed information as to the
points OF free transfer, for the time be-
ing. would certainly be gratefully re-
ceiyed by strangers and even by residents,
especially those who are not regular pa
irons OF the road. For gross violations of
the speed law the officers of the road, as
we'll as the motorman, should be made
liable.
THE whole subject matter has assumed
such proportions that it is difficult for
the Commissioners. with their present
force. 10 give to it the careful considera-
tioa which its Importance demands. II
seems to me the time has arrived for the
creation under the District government of
department of transportation. which
fhould have entire charge OF all matters
relating to steam and street railways.
and. possibly, 10 the herdic, hack, and
express service.
Need of an Assistant
Perhaps the most speedy way OF Sc
curing such a result would be by request
ing the detail OF another assistant to the
Engineer Commissioner. as authorized by
Law. in order that one OF the officers so
detailed could devote his exclusive atten-
tion to such a department. Such details
have always resulted in most efficient su-
perintendence.
III for any reason that cannot be done
] would suggest the propriety of asking
Congress for an appropriation sufficient
90 secure the services of an able and ex-
pcrienced superintendent at an adequate
salary, who would give his entire time to
the public side of this question, with pow
er TO enforce, under the direction of the
Commissioners. laws to be enacted in the
interest OF the farepayers and OF the en-
ployes. dealing with the railroads also
on thc basis Of equal and exact Justice"
AMATEUR VACCINATION FATAL.