Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-03-22
COMMUNICATED.
THE ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

1uCiC Las ali9Sa ASSNs
though not an entirely new one, but
agitated more persistently now than
f)rmerly, against the Washington, Alex
andria and Mount Vernon Railway. The
patrops of the above road, known as
commuters, have organized with the
ayowed purpose Of obtaining better
travelling facilities between Washington
and Alexandria. The writer is not con-
nected with this association, nor with
the railroad, in any form or fashion
hence, it is hoped that the following
remarks will be given credit for an en-
tire absence of bias or prejudice. Nor
does he disparage any efforts on the part
of the public to obtain better accommo-
dations from a public service corpora
ton. But in the furtherance OF their
plans, the association has given rise to
certain statements in the newspapers and
elsewhere, with which the writer wishes
to take issue, and for these reasons.
He is patriotic enough to see that the
railroad has been benefit to Alexan-
dria in many ways. 1t has given en-
ployment to its citizens, and has been a
great factor to the improvement OF Its
streets. all of which stimulate the busl-
ness interests of the city; hence, it IS
only fair and reasonable that an instl-
tuition which has contributed toward our
material progress should have its advo-
Gates as well as its opponents. More.
over the views of the writer are shared
by many of Alexandria's citizens.
First, we should suspend judgment
against the railroad as to whether
doing their best to give the best SER
vice possible until otherwise proved. II
is not reasonable to expect that they
should cater TO every wish of the public
at the entire sacrifice of their own well be-
ing. A railroad corporation is composed
of individuals who have invested their
capital; hence, il is not fair for the pub
lie to make such demands as will pre-
vent a reasonable realization upon thelT
investment. To do this is requiring
more than the law compels. The rail.
road, during the period of congestive
travel, has a train for about every fifteen
minutes and during the remaining por-
ton of the day, one for every halt hour
So soon as the public at large divorce
themselves from the fayorlte, but mis-
taken. idea that railroad has no righ
to earn money, so soon will they under
stand, in its fullest meaning, the duties
imposed by law upon corporation t
give its best service to the public. Ih'
integrity of the railroad has been serious
ly compromised in the statements mad
in the newspapers, that they were re
sponsible for the impression that 1t wa
contrary to law to run three cars through
Washington. The writer has seen NJ
such statements authorized by any re
sponsible official of the road, either il
the paper or by any circular. We mus
remember that when wedeny the veraci
ty of a railroad that we are not castin
reflections upon nonentity, but uPol
men who are entitled to as much cred,
and respect as we are.
Although the railroad would increas'
its patronage by running three car
through Washington, yet the wear ant
tear to the motors incident to pulling
the grades in Washington would NOR
than outweigh the benefit We shoul'
not Judge railroad by an ideal, but b.
comparison with others. The write
has suffered delays, experienced cold
and has been compelled to stand on car
of the Washington, Alexandria, d MI
Vernon Railway, but not to any create
extent than on other roads. Every ran
road in the country has its periods Q
congestive travel, when it becomes nee
esssry for some to suffer inconvenience
This is the experience with the electri
cars of Washington when the govern
Lment clerks are dismissed, and it is tn
rarest instance during the winter thu
more than one of these cars are heated
q There has been a great deal said as
the sanitary condition of the cars. 1t
, safe to say that if the patrons o. tn
road were as diligent in keeping the ca
clean as they are in their efforts to IN
pose greater obligations upon the roa
-, there would be no cause for this cor
, plant. The cleanliness of car CT
only be made so when those who patro
) ! ze the road see fit to make 1t. III
t very people who are up in arms again
, the road for unclean cars, are the We
! ones who contribute toward that co
I dition.
! In view of these facts, the writer su
mits that we should not seek to impc
unreasonable obligation upon the ra
road that we should take into consldt
u alton the task of running a railroad, a
: its necessarily incident inconvenience
e and that we should be as willing to 81
!. the praises of an institution that il
q factor in our progress, as many OF
!. are glad to chant its funeral song
!, one WHO PAYS rs PER ROUND TRl