Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-22
PROTEST OF CITIZENS
ANACoSTIA OBJECTS TO PROPOSED
RAILWAY SCHEDULE.

Citizens of Anacostia voiced a vigorous
protest last evening at mass meeting
against the contemplated schedule of the
Washington Railway and Electric Company
whereby but four cars are to be operated
for the convenience of residents of that
part of the District between Congress
Heights and the plow pit of the company
at the north end of the Anacostia bridge
At the point named it is proposed to trans
fer to the new of the road that are
about to be placed in commission and which
will be run but that far.
The meeting was held in Haines' Hail. on
Harrison street. Anacostia and was pre-
sided over by DR.. James A Watson, with
DR.. r. A. Pyles recording the minutes The
president explained the call for the meet
ing, and said that any information on the
subject was in order A personal letter
from Gen. George II. Harries of the COM
pany to DR. r. a. Pyles was then read for
tie benefit of the citizens. Gen. Harries
stated that it was the intention of the street
car line to operate from the ploW Dit
at the foot of 18th street southeast to Con-
greSS Heights on a fifteen-minute schedule
while the cars to Anacosta would be run
on seven-and- one half minute schedule
The refusal of the District Commissioners
to permit the railroad company to run its
new cars over the Anacostia bridge on ac-
count of the unfaVorable condition of the
structure was responsible said Gen. Har-
rles, for the prospective change. There was
nothing that could be done to materially
relieve the situation, the letter continued
until the completion of the AnacoStia bridge
reconstruction, which, ii incidentally
recalled, would be about 1907.
In some remarks, in the course of which
he stated that he knew there was a demand
throughout the city for the new cars. Mr.
James c. Leonard advocated applying to
the District Commissioners for all the in
formation obtainable on the subject. While
the citizens might be met, said Mr.. Leonard,
by the assertion that the unsafe condition
of the Anacostia bridge was the cause of
the contemplated Encouragement of the
street car service and while he believed
that human life should be first regarded in
the premises. he urged that the section rep
resented at the meeting was entitled to as
good car service as is any place in the
District of Columbia, and that the street
car line should take no backward step.
General Discussion.
DR.. H. l.. Green read protest against the
proposed change, which he thought should
be forwarded to the Commissioners and to
the street railway managers. Mr.. Thomas
J. Moore said he was unaware just what
conditions had brought about this new plan
of running the cars, but he desired a pro-
test lodged against what he regarded as
an injustice. He was confident that four
cars would not accommodate the people
living in the AnacoStia district to say
nothing of those who visit the place on the
cars in large numbers during the summer
season, and who go TO the local parks. The
conSested conditions would be uncomfortable
ne stated. Mr.. Richard B. Buckley de-
manded that protest be made Immediately
to the Commissioners by a committee who
could arrange for hearing. Mr.. Moore
advocated that both the Commissioners and
the company's sides of the matter be heard
Mr. James w. BARLEY and Mr. Charles ]
Montgomery urged that the question be
taken before the Commissioners at once
The people are tired of being imposed on
in this manner, said Mr. BARLEY Mr.
Montgomery declared that, as far as the
railroad company is concerned Anacostia
| is looked upon as a dumping ground
After. a running debate. on motion of
| Mr.. Edgar Leapley committee of citizens
| was appointed TO obtain hearing before
| the Commissioners regarding the matter as
well as to go before the railroad officials
| If necessary. The committee consists of
| Messrs Thomas ]. Moore chairman; Julius
w. Toson, James w. Barley, Richard b
| Buckley, DR.. II. l.. Greene James c. Leon
ard James Hawley. chrome Diggs. Edgar
| Leapley, Herman Hurfurth. After the APP
pointment of this committee the meeting
adjourned.