The Washington times., 1905-02-02
Commuters Have Hear
ing Today at Alex
andria.
FACILITIES INADEQUATE
Lack of Heat IS the Most
important Complaint,
However.

ALEXANDRIA, Va, Feb. 2.-The
State corporation commission met to-
day at the courthouse to near COM
plants about the service on the Wash
ington, Alexandria and Mt. Vernon rail-
W.T..
Tise commission comprises Beverley 7.
Crump, OF Richmond; Henry Fairfax. Of
Loudoun; and Henry Garter Stuart, OF
Russell. ITS clerk, Mr.. Lanier. came
with them, as did J. w Williams, bailiff.
Ia support Of this complaint appeared
Gardner l. Boothe corporation attor-
ney. and Leo P. Harlow. attorney fol.
the Alcxandria-W Washington Commuters,
AssocIa ticn-
Several score Of witnesses have been
summoned.
NhSn the session of the commission
was called 10 order shortly after II
O'clock, there were present President
King, Of the Washington. Alexandria
and Mt. Vernon Railway Company:
former Superintendent Colvin Of the
road: 7. II. Eether!and, president CT the
Commuters Association; o. p. Angelo,
secretary; Mayor Paff, D. r. Stands
bury, clerk Cf the common council, and
other city officials
Judge Crump explained in beginning
the session that it had been ordered TO
be held In this city to investigate the
management of the Washington, Alex
andria and Mt. Vernon Railroad Com
pany from this city to the Long bridge.
Corporation Attorney Boothe outlined
the complaints and asked that the com
mission make the following orders.
F'rst-That ten new meteor cars be
purchased before August 1895.
Second-Tasat a double track lie laid
before Jsily !, 1895.
sPSz 6-e1 },
In within ten days, and that at least ten
amperes be put n cars
FoaIrth-That the roadbed should be
Fifth-That the company get a mod
ern sweeper.
sixth-That lamps be carried on cars
to replace those broken
Seyentll-Tlzat q penalty be imposed
for q violation OF orders
Mr. Boothe said that the commuters
complained OF want Of trackage. .diling
to heat cars, delays in travel, aH1 dirty
cars.
Heating Most Important.
The question of heating of the cars,
Mr.. Boothe said. is the most important
1T is criminal" he declared. '.to
make persons ride on cold cars"
He declared that since the road started
to run to Washington over twelve wear
ago, one neT ear had been purchased
He then read the report of the com
pany for the last two years, and said
that the rolling stock had oeen neglect
ed for dividends.
Hon. r. Walton Moore, representing
the company, in his address, acknowl-
edged that there are unsatisfactory con-
ditions Which should be remedied. bat
said that assurance could now De given
that the road would in a short time be
improved.
Dr. Lindsay First Witness.
DIR. &. T. Lindsay was the first witness
called by the commuters. He read from
notes lie had taken N regard To delays
lack Of heating, apparatus, etc, on the
road. He said he had suffered from a
cold. which he attributed to the cold
cars.
He also said the cars are invariably
overcrowded. from ten t0 twenty per
sons staEding in the cars.
John NJ Reid q naachinist next took
a the stand and testified that cars had
been sadly neglected.
MIR. Reid testified he had been laid up
with an attack Of pneumonia, which he
attributed to the cold cars.
Miss Mamie GriEg, Il teacher at the
Arlington School, in Alexandria county,
read notes in regard TO overcrowdng
delays. lack OF heat. dirty cars, etc
She said that during the month of
January an open car was used from
Arlington junction to Rosslyn
William Goods, a merchandise broker
OF ashiCgton, was the next witness.
He correlated the evidence Of previous
witnesses.
The Rev Mr.. Massey. professor at The
seminary. and T, H. Netherial.d. gave
similar testimony.
The commission took a recess at /
p. N.
1t viii probably be in session until
tomorrow.