The Washington times., 1905-07-24
.FORTY-EIGHT MEN
HOLD CAR 5 HOURS
AnacOstianS' Practical Test
Of Recent Bridge Order.
EVERYTHING DONE QUIETLY
"Tn have my eggs soft boiled"

Let my STEAK De rare ana nav
plenty of potatoes on the side.
Ham and eggs are good enough for
me"
These and other similar orders were
not given in a restaurant, but were
shouted out amid general laughter in a
ear on the Washington Railway and
Electric line at the Anacostia bridge
shortly before midnight.
In the car We're forty-eight men who
had been sitting there since about 3
o'clock and who were discussing break
fast
Made Their Point
These men said thew wanted to make
a point and shortly before the midnight
hour they departed in various ways for
their homes satisfied that the point had
been made. The motorman and conduc-
tor. who had perforce remained with
them breathed sigh OF relief. the cur
rent was turned on and the car went to
the barn
1t was all the outcome of the Com
missioners' order that no more than
forty passengers shall cross the Ana
costa bridge on q car The order went
into effect Saturday night at midnight.
but did not have a fair trial until last
night, when the crowds grew greater.
One Man Paid Fares.
N-A&ci ~ ShANFi u GlOCAA -SAS 1T men
marched up at Congress Heights.
Boarded car 2l8. in charge of Conductor
q. a. Hudson. and started for the Ana
costa end of the bridge. One man paid
the fares, and the conductor realized
that he was up against a preaFranged
plan ia test the forty passengers regu-
Iaton. There was an entire absence of
disorder or boisterousness, and the
fcrty-eiSht sat figidly in their seats as
the ear swept down the long hill toward
Anacostia. Several more passengers
were taken aboard en- route.
The bridge end was reached in sched-
ule time. but not man made move to
leave the car The conductor called at
tenti0n TO the notices in the car setting
forth the requirements of the Commits
sioners, but no one budged.
All in Big Hurry.
They were all In a desperate hurry to
keep an engagement in the city, and as
one of them said while he would like
70 obey the law and accommodate others
he really must hold to his seat until
the number of passengers had been re-
duced TO the limit.
Transfers We're politely declined, and
The forty-eight settled down in their
bsaced himself as II he intended 20 make
an address Then he thought better Of
the matter. and retired 10 the rear plat
form, where he mopped his face with
handkerchief, though the day not
exceptionally warm. That was the begin
ming of walt that lasted three hours.
When the conductor had cooled his
heated brow and made Z feW more re-
marks 10 his guests he letS the car AID
and told the officials in charge what u
nice time he was having with his faith
tul little company.
Suggesting Remedy
This news from beside the turbld wa
ters of The Eastern branch brought to
the scene different officials OF The road
who took no chances, but came in auto
mobiles. There were General Manager
Fuller. General Superintendent Mofett
and Division Superintendent BaIlinger
Meanwhl 4 curious crowd hal collected
and many suggestions We're given the
conductor and motOrman.
Get the police came from a dozen.
as being the natural way out Of The diff
Push them of. was the plan OF
two or three who were on the sidewalk
Another man suggested that the sit
ters be taken back up the hill and the
car sidetraC2Sed-
The police came, but there was no dis
order and they were poWerless 70 take
a hand. The officials Of the road looked
the scene over and departed, realizing
that they were helpless.
Old Guard Held Fort.
II they ordered the car to cross the
the Commissioners. L they elected
sufficient number of passengers to re-
duce the number 10 forty there would
probably be damage suits. There was no
way out OF the difficulty
Some of the men and boys who had
Joined the original forty-eight began TO
leave one by one, but the old Guard"
sat firmly in their places as the night
wore on.
About u:S0 there was a coughing and
a 'hOnk, honk," and General Harries
Vice-p president Of the road hove in sight
in his big automobile. He sized up the
situation IN a short time and steamed
back across the bridge TO the city. Fol-
lowing the departure of General Har-
ries the forty-eight became imbued with
a spirit Of huTaoT and several jokes
passed up and down the car.
Home at Midnight.
Then some one mentioned breakfast
and the orders began to iy to imaginary
walters One man complained that he
had bad nights resi- and wanted no
breakfast. another thought he'd walt
until he got down town for his meal,
and So on while the Few who remained
outside the car TO see what the out
come would be laughed.
just about midnight when the yawns
were getting frequent the foFty-eight
faithful broke up and went 10 their
homes. The mOtorman put on power and
MADE nasty run for the barn. where
he had been expected Tor nearly three
hours one OF the sltters. with much
satisfaction in his voice, said: We'll
IL was pretty tough joD, but we have
carried cur point"
Another Blockade Probable.
While there was no blockade this
morning nor a break In the schedule of
the car service 1t is not improbable that
last nights experience may be repeated
this afternoon.
A number Of the cars this morning
contained more than forty passengers
from Congress Heights ana other points
in Anacostia bound for their places OF
business IN the city. but on reaching
the bridge the conductor announced
that the ear could proceed no further
unless the number or passengers was
reduced 20 forty.
There was no trouble, for a sufficient
number Of volunteers left the car and |