Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-28
ANACOSTIA SCHEDULE
PROPOSED CHANGE IN STREET
CAR SERVICE.

Relative TO the proposed change IN the
schedule of street cars running to AnaCOs-
tia, involving the transfer of passengers
at the Washington end of the Anacostia
bridge, the Commissioners have addressed
the following letter to Gen. George II. Har-
ries, vice president of the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company:
"A committee of citizens of Anacostla
had a meeting before the Commissioners
April % to protest against any change
being made in the street car schedule be-
tween Washington and Anacostia, which
required them to transfer at the Washing
ton end of the Anacostia bridge. or which
would cut down the number of cars less
than the number now being used on that
line. They stated they were informed that
the Anacostia and Potomac River Railway
Company proposes to run cars on a ten or
twelve-minute schedule from Congress
Heights to the Washington end of the 18th
street bridge. and there oblige passengers
to transfer. They ted that you informed
them that such schedule was to be APP
piled. They further stated that you had
informed them that ii on account OF
the action of the Commissioners that YOU
were unable to operate proper schedule.
Heavy Cars Barred.
THE only action of the Commissioners
in reference to this matter was that they
declined to allow your company to use
heavy cars across the Anacostia bridge. for
the reason that the bridge is not suffi-
GENTLY strong to preclude the chances of
accidents. The Commissioners in no way
required heavy cars to be used the
Washington end of the line nor did they
in any way limit the number OF cars or the
schedule to be applied in Anacostia. The
condition of the Anacostia bridge has been
known for some time, and Congress was
informed of its bad condition. and a re-
suit made an appropriation for reconstruct
ing the bridge, which reconstruction is to
be commenced at once.
"A member of the committee further
stated that you had informed the commit
tee you We're willing to strengthen the
bridge sufficiently to accommodate the
heavy cars. The Commissioners would
state that there IS no record Of any such
communication from you to this effect. The
bridge is structurally weak, and II will be
impracticable, in the opinion of the en-
glneer department, 10 strengthen II. except
perhaps by the use of trestles in the center
of the spans, which 1t is estimated would
cost from 10000 TO $4,000 and which cons
struction would naturally be only tempo
rary-that is, until the new bridge Is COM
pleted. If your company desires 10 this
the Commissioners will have no objection.
Schedule Should Accommodate.
The Commissioners, after the represent
tations of the Anacostia citizens, feel that
a schedule should be given them which Will
accommodate their section. 1t is greatly
preferred that the cars should cross the
bridge. and that lighter cars should there-
fore be used on that line until the new
bridge is constructed. If, however. 1t is not
practicable to do this, and it is proposed
to transfer at the Washington end of the
bridge, some shelter should be arranged,
and sufficient cars for the traffic should be
provided. The Commissioners have. receiv-
ed no communication from you the subs
Ject, excepting 10 the crossing of the
bridge by heavy cars, and therefore are
unaware, officially, of what it is proposed
by you to do"