The Washington times., 1904-03-25
At RequeStof Alexandra
Citizens on Railroad
Question.
ASK DUVALL'S OPINION
Municipal Authorities Will
Find Out PrerogativeS Be
fore Meeting Company.

The citizens Of Alexandria who are
making fight for adequate transporta-
ton facilities from that city 70 Wash
ington, over the Washington. AleXan-
dria and Mount Vernon Railroad have
appealed TO the Commissioners Of the
District of Columbia
The extent Of the Commissioners au-
thority TO regulate accommodations 10
the travelling public on the Washington.
Alexandra and Mount Vernon Railroad
is 10 be decided by Corporation Counsel
Duvau.
The Commissioners viii hold a con-
ference with the State corporation COM
mission of Virginia regarding the man-
agement Of the railroad.
Plan of Action.
These three things were decided upon
this morning when Engineer Commits
sioner Biddle received a letter from At
torney Leo p Harlow, representing the
Alexandra and Washington Commut-
ers Protective Association, asking for
statement of the Commissioners
power in the matter, and requesting
that the authorities turn their atten-
tiOn TO the act OF Congress chartering
the railway company IN question and
setting forth the Commissioners au-
thOrity TO compel a suitable service for
The passengers Of the road.
Mr.. HarlOWs second request in the
letter, thst the Commissioners or the
District hold conference with the
State Corporation Commission of Nlr-
ginia In regard 20 the conditions IN the
mana cement of the rOaQ viii also be
granted by the Commissioners. Mr..
harlow assures them that the Virginia
authorities are ready for the consulta-
tion, and the Commissioners said TO-DAY
they saw no reason for Objecting to IL
viii Await Opinion.
This conference. however. will not be
held until the Corporation Counsel has
passed on the exact prerOgatives OF the
District authorities in the matter. This
is IN harmony with Mr.. Harlows re-
quest as he thought it would be best
for the conference to take place only
after each side knew exactly what steps
il could take under the law
The act Of Congress TO which the at
tCutiOn OF the Commissioners IS caued
is as follows, as IL relates 10 the power
of the Commissioners 20 regulate the
service furnished the travelling public:
THAT the said company shall place
first-class cars upon said railway with
ali modern Improvements for the con-
VenieQce comfort and safety Of pas
sengers. and shall run cars as often as
the public convenience may require In
accordance with a time table approved
b. the Commissioners Of the District Of
Columbia.
Penal Conditions.
Every failure 10 comply with the
conditions Of this section shall render
the said corporation liable 20 a fine Of
$50 for each day said failure occurs, TO
be recovered in any court Of competent
jurisdiction at the suit of the Commis-
sioners OF said District"
From this IT would appear that the
fight of The association VIII be 20 OBJ
tain more trains rather than more cars
in each train. as the act Of Congress
supervise the schedule. but says nothing
of the number OF cars TO be run In a
train.
VIII Hold Conference.
we viii hold the conference with tho
Virginia authorities" said Colonel Bid
ole today. There is no reason for not
doing H. and we can come 10 a full
understanding of the case IN this way.
Such consultation. however, viii not
occur until the Corporation Counsel has
passed on our powers in the case. Mr.
Harlow suggests that il be put of until
Mr.. DuvalIs opinion has been rendered -
able to us said Commissioner Macftr-
land. president OF the District Board OF
Commissioner. I'VE want 10 see that
the DeOple get all the conveuienccs Of
travel possible from the railway com
pany At the same time, we do not
wish 10 impose unnecessary burdens on
the road. In order 20 act with all the
enlightenment possible. I think the con-
ference with the Virginia State auIhOTi-
ties will be a great help 20 us. It Is a
matter that calls for the closest cJnsId-