The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-10-18
His Actions Hindered by
People Riding on
Platform.
HAS COMPANY A RULE?
Strange Reticence of Official
When Asked Regarding
the Matter.

Did the oyercrowded condition Of the
car have an important bearing on the
wreck at lexington yesterday morning
which cost Edward r. SpragUe his life
ana injured thirty passengers
Could Motorman Colvin have applied
the brake quicker and more surely if the
front platform had not been crowded
with passengers ana his movements in
terfcred with?
These are some OF the questions which
VIII be propOuUded at the Coroner's in
quest tomorrow morning
Patrons or the suburban lines have
long complained OF the crowded condi-
tiUu of the cars. Every morning and
afternoon during the rush hours The cars
on the lines Of the Washington Railway
and Electric Company are loaded beyond
their reasonable capacity. Tie front
platforms are crowded with passengers
and IL is almost impossible for the mo-
torman to have freedom enough 10
quickly or certainly apply the brakes.
Signs on the Cars.
on all the ears are signs which say
passengers are not permitted 20 stand
on the platforms, but no regard Is paid
70 this warming by people anxious 10
reach home after the departments close.
Neither do the conductors enforce the
rule. If any rule exists. With their usual
reticence the railroad officials refuse TO
say whether or not there is such a
rule.
j. B. Lackey. secretary OF the Wash
ingJon Railway ana Electric Company,
was seen by Times reporter this morn
ing and asked:
els there a regulation in your COM
Dany's manual OF rules for motormen
and conductors f0rbidding people 10
stand on the front platform OF cars ?''
sir. L-ackey was asked.
II shall not tell you" was the reply.
Are your regulations open 10 my IN
spectIOn OF 10 the Inspection OF the pCb-
mo; they are not"
Are they kept secretT'
Personal, Rot Secret.
''Weu. they are personal property"
''The only thing the public wants 20
know. Mr.. Lackey. Is whether you have
regulation f0rbidding people To ride
on front platforms. The Police Depart
meut says you have such rule on your
books"
eff / say anything about that might
get into a squabble with the police"
NOT if you agreed with them"
Anyway. / shall not Jeu you whether
we have the regulation or not We
[ t--'At -+t-- 70 nave lrRktE saAt4E on kAE
front platforms but we do not throw
them on when they get on there"
And. In spite OF this. there is no
regulation on the subiect?"
II refuse 70 say i prefer 10 be quoted
that Mr.. Lackey refused 10 be inter
viewed. "
CARL Talks Freely.
u. S. CarL chief engineer and super
inJendent OF the Capital Traction Com
pany, spoke freely OF the regulations in
force on his lines
'Of course" he said. 1--WE have such a
Z regulation. and ] don't think you VIII
see many people riding on our front
platforms. We make no effort 20 keep
that or any other regulation secret How
could we enforce them If We kept them
seCreC2'
alr Lackey was not the only empIoye
{ of the Washington Railway and Elec-
JTic Company who proved 10 be unc0m-
muulcaLlFe ON the subject OF the rules
. that most street railway companies
adopt for the safeguarding OF the pub
lic. Others were approached on the
subject. and ali refused 10 talk about *.