The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-11-21
SuburbaniteS Fail to Get
Satisfaction From Troll
ley President.
CAN'T IMPROVE THE LINE
Declares BrightWOOd Road
Has No Money to Bet
ter the Service.

=
in his career, Gen. George IL. Harries,
vice president of the Washington Rail-
way ana Electric Company, for more
than two hours last night answered TO
the citizens of Petworth, BrlghtWood,
Takoma Park. Brightwood Park. and
other urban sections Whereabouts, Tor
the sO-called sins and misdeeds OF me
BrightWOod Railway Company.
This substantially approaches the
scene enacted at a citizens mass meet
ing held at the home OF William =.
Guide, president OF the Petworth Ciu-
zens' Association. $500 New Hampshire
avenue. at which were present 200 mem
bers of various organizations represent
ing the territory from Florida avenue
70 Takoma Park, whose object was 10
demand the removal Of the present Flor
ida avenue transfer point Of the Bright
wood railway To a place near Bright
wood and thus obtain through car ser
vice from the city 20 the District line.
Failing TO obtain this concession, The
citizens would have been satisfied, as
they said, with "a crumb Of comfort
from the railway" that OF having two
or three extra cars put in service. But
that neither concession will be granted
is now admitted by all present. for
General Harries, the man whom the
angered citizens judged could grant the
boon, neither pledged himself nor the
company he represents 10 aught save TO
listen respectfully 20 further reasons
why the suggested improvements in the
service should be granted.
Came to Listen.
According to his own understanding.
General Harries went To the meeting
merely 10 hear complaints against the
road, 10 hle them away among others
OF the same character covering i've
years OF protest, that they might be at
tended TO when the road was In proper
financial shape 20 stand the burden or
expense. But instead. the complexion
OF the gathering underwent a change.
and the railroad man was grilled on
the gridiroa. made 10 stand under a rain
OF questions, charges, and demands, that
he might bend 10 the VIII Of the rail-
ways patrons But lie stood the gan.
smiled back AT its very nerceness, ans
wered questions, declared the Bright
wood Railway Company finances TO be
in a hopeless muddle. gave absolutely no
promises, sOOthed and quoted the anger
81 those who assail6d him herCest. and
STAYED 10 hear read vote OF thanks,
unusual as il was. because he had the
General Harries' pOise through the
whole situation. an ordeal II mignS De
called, was that OF kind. lndulgen'
father listening 10 the unreasonable De
mands of q growing family. or, when
he quoted figures 10 show how biameless
he stood for the whole condition, that OF
a tolerant pedagogue conducting a class
IN simple arithmetic. lie was always
courteous smiling, and attractive. and
at times "a wave of plying sadness
spread over his face as he hearo
some violent outburst against corporate
greed. the expressions or the common
reople" OF ''the defiance OF corporation
servants 10 the needs of citizens
Mr.. Lancaster Opens Fire.
The opening gun OF the meeting wa:
ared by c. c. Lancaster, president OF
Shs Northwest Citizens Association, who
isid aside parliamentary niceties TO rush
ungloved into the heart OF the meeting
In to that time the citizens had lis
tened with perfunctory respect TO mild
Iv-vorded resolutions reCiJing the need
of new cutters, a strip of new asphalt
OF a better block Of macadam roadway
They were strained, intent, and appeared
10 see only in the background the man
question involved - that OF obtaining
some concession from the rallWay-dnt
when Mr. Lancaster resolution, IeClS
inc long existing wrongs and demand
ing their immediate remedy was IeAu
The language Enthusiastically INTENDED u
whip the company oIhclalS INTO aCllo!i
the feelings OF the ciuzen-prottSJdh =
were let lose. The reaullB OF nc t19o
linton was followed by Louis + ShOe
makers version of the BrighLwood Ran
way Company's abuses, Whch ne SUP
plemented by declaring that tEe uIl'
had come when the patrons or the rodt
would take the question OF remedyIne
the condition in their own hands:
Then il was that General Harries was
A. to On
he said any plan for the relief or th'
citizens that the railway oHlclals may
have formulated
No Money for Improvements.
IT can appreciate the desire TO se'
another man spend his money" was the
language IN which the railroad officia
couched his opening remark but
fail TO see the logic OF the BrlghtWooS
Railway Company making improvements
when Il has no money 10 make then
with The truth Of the matter is tina
the road Is practically bankrupt, as IA
as IL being mOney-makng proposition
IS concerned. The road was built In ad
vance Of its time and the community
has failed 10 grow TO II. Ten years age
IL was offered TO the Metropolitan Rail
way for nothing. In fact, anyone cOulC
have had il would they only agree TO as
sumo its debts. II was a big blUndel
10 have bought the road. ! advised
against the purchase at any price, anC
I think subsequent events have sus
tanned my judgment. Despite efforts
10 make il pay the road in the last eigh
months is $4,000 in the hole, with III
prospect OF getting out"
An interruption at this juncture b,
w J. Howard served 10 intensity tn
feelings OF those present against tn,
railroad.
But. general" demanded Mr. How
ard. what does the railroad intend [,
do for us? What plan have you to of
fer for our relief? We are not here {,
discuss the corporations finances, but 4
demand some action that viii give IA
relief from a condition manifestly un
lust long grown intOlerable 10 US, ant
resulting in a big financial loss to our
selves and the short-sighted railway
The time has come when people refus
10 buy property in Brightwood becaus'
OF the abominable service on this road.
Harries Blames Kiekers.
No" interposed General Harries. BE
cause of the uproar raised by ''kickers.'