Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-17
Packed Cars and Accidents.

An accident occurred this morning in
lexington which tragically illustrates the
dangers which hourly attend travel on some
of the suburban electric car lines of the
District A car carrying from eighty to
one hundred passengers jumped the track
at Il curve and toppled, causing the serious
injury of twenty passengers, the death OF
one and the probably fatal injury OF
another. 1t Is a marvel that score
were not killed outright and that anybody
ESCAPED unharmed from the wreck. There
can be no doubt whatever of the TACT that
the car was overcrowded. Seats are pro-
vided for only forty persons. The register
showed that sixty fares had been collected
while the conductor stated after the accl-
dent that he had not finished his collec-
lions Passengers state that the alsles were
filled and the platforms crowded. what
ever the immediate cause OF the accioehl'
whether careless motoring or defective rails
or wheels the conclusion is inevitable that
the car was too closely packed for safety.
No motorman can properly manage car
CARRYING four or five score people, especially
il they are standing on the platform, as was
the case this morning. and no passenger
hennued inside of such car. with the aisles
filed can have a chance to save himself
when the wheels leave the rails.
one of many that were running into Wash
ington this morning Every suburban line
was probably carrying passengers in the
same proportion. The Maryland division OF
the City and Suburban road, on which the
accident occurred, is conspicuOusly In evil
dence in this respect every day during the
rush hours" There are not enough cars
to carry the people who wish to ride, and
who, indeed, must ride In order TO meet
their imperative business engagements
With more cars each would be less
crowded. and each, therefore, more man
ageable Today's accident will probably
cost the operating company far more than
the provision of sufficient cars to reduce
the traffic to safe basis This company
is now in the hands of receiver a condi-
ton which Is said to account for its made
quate equipment and schedule. 1t Is un-
doubtedly earning far more than operating
expenses. and whatever old debts hang
over it, causing its embarrassment. must
surely be near final liquidation. If the
court will not permit the expenditure OF
more money for a better equipment. thereby
preventing the road from developing the
traffic. the public will perhaps have to walt
until It's own patience and sacrifices have
yielded a sufficient surplus to close the
gap. 1t would, however seem better policy
for the general corporation owning this
franchise to refinance the City and Subur-
ban, dissolve the receivership and thus,
without further delay, place the line on
safe. progressive basis. -.-
These overcrowded cars constitute pub
lie peril that affects many thousands of
District people. If the Commissioners spe-
cifc powers in the premises are inadequate
to meet the emergency, their general pow
+l,ry i,;oer
police regulations for the protection of life
and property, might serve the purpose of
reform to the end of prohibiting the MAIN
tenance of any car schedule that leads to
the perilous packing of the cars. No single
should be permitted to operate in the
District carrying more than fifty per cent
beyond its seating capacity.