The Washington times., 1904-11-01
Hope for BTightWood.

people OF the DlcLElCL TOT LnClA tt@tV
ul consideration. In this discussion
'he Times has played the part Of
newspaper which means to be fair
and is determined to probe aggressive
~ every public grievance which seems
to have it's basis in reason.
The situation has now been some
what changed and seems to demand
further consideration in these cOl-
umns. But The Times, before it risks
adding further fuel 10 the fire, de-
sires TO note with pleasure that its
course in this controversy has no
where been misconstrued. The OH
GERS of the corporation gave proof OF
their confidence in the papers purpose
by making use of IL as a mOuthpiece
fery a general answer TO the complaints
nst their management, and for
zemarkabie offers submitted in
sation of their attitude The
the corporation, on the
have written many letters
S and its editors TO COM
course and have given it
formal approval By adopting, in
four citizens associations, resolutions
Of generous Endorsement
The change in the situation to
which reference is made is the effect
OF President 1IcDeTmotts offer to rent
the road. 10 it's users at an extremely
low price. A previous Ofer TO give
away the capital stock Of the cor
pOrauOn. provided only that the re-
cipient assume the funded debt. did
not affect the situation so seriously;
because that offer was at the utmost
merely a proposal 10 sell a railway
for about s7OG, 900 which could have
been built enew for less than $500 900
But $3.50 600 is much less than ii
" Ould cost 10 construct the Bright
wood line if the roadway were clear.
And when Mr. McDermott proposes
that the citizens who critieise the
present management shall manage the
line themselves-with all proper con
cessi0ns in the form OF transfers to
other lines-at an expense to them
only or the interest upon $3.50. 900 and
cost of operation, he removes from
sincerity in saying that the Bright
tNeNd railway is not now profitable,
and is not likely TO become profitable
within the limit of that offer.
Yet. as The Times views the matter,
the complaints filed by the patrons of
the BrightwOOc road stil remain I'M
answered IN spite OF this ofer. What
1 II the road does not pay? What If it
never pays? 1t makes use of a public
franchise. tt has taken a valuable
right from the public. In return for
that right il has undertaken to pro
vide the residents OF the community
with such street car facilities as the
public convenience" may require.
Admit that the bargain is bad. Ad-
nit that every car is run at a loss.
That obligation still remains with
the railroad; and the Washington
Railway and Electric Company, in
- purchasing the railroad, purchased
also the obligation.
No one who can read the English
language viii question the existence
OF this obligation 1t has been de-
fined by law three separate dmes.
In an ACT 20 incorporate the
Brightwood Railway Company ap-
proved October IS, 1883, section TO-
fl is provided:
That the company shall place cars ol
the best construction on said railway
with an modern improvements nece ssart
10 the convenience and comfort Of pas
sensers. and shah run cars thereon as
often as the public convenience may re-
quire. in accordance with table OF
schedule fixed by the company. a copy
Of which shall be fled with the Commits.
siODers of the District Of Columbia and
approved by them.
When that act was amended, July
26. 1892, Congress again set this obli-
cation, using these words:
That the road shall be supplied entire
d with new cars OF the most approved
PATTERN, which shall be run as the public
anvenience shall require. but not less
y f%quentiy than one car every dfteer
uN utes from each end of the line. be-
tWe&n o'clock ante meridian and IL
o'clock midnight.
Again, In another act to amend the
charter and provide for an extension
OF the road. dated February q. 1893
Congress provides:
Ana said branch road shall be sup
piled with new cars of the most APP
proved pattern. which shall be run as
tie public convenience may require. and
said branch road shall be maintained
IN hrst-elass condition,
The complaint Of the patrons Oh
the Brightwood line is that the most
important OF these obligations is not
met. that no service Is provided whl~i
satisfies the public convenience, as
Stunning that the phrase. "the public
convenience. Is used in the sense
OF carrying passengers comfortably
safely, and expediuously. Theii
grievance has been presented TO the