The Washington herald., 1907-07-13
RISE In INDIGNATION
Commuters of W., A. & L. c.
Railway Organize.
CONDEMN ROAD MANAGEMENT
Citizens of Falls Church and Sur
rounding Country Adopt ResOlu-
lions to BE Presented to Virginia
state Corporation COmmissiOn-Nu-
merous Reforms in Equipment.

BY effecting a permanent organization.
to be known as the Commuters Associa-
ton Of the Washington, Arlington and
Falls Church Railroad, and the adoption
of resolutions condemnatory to the admin
stration Of said road. to be presented to
the State corporation commission in Rich
mOnd to-day, by r. c. L. MOncure, the
citizens Of Falls Church and surrounding
suburbs last night took active steps to-
ward securing an Improvement In the con-
ditions which. it is alleged. resulted in the
accident Of July 8 The Masonic Hall was
crowded before the hour OF converting,
and intense interest was manifested IN the
various addresses relative to the manage
ment Of the road. The meeting was called
TO order by Pickering Dodge. and II. A.
Fellows and Charles a. Stewart were
elected as chairman and secretary respec-
lively.
In taking the chair. Mr.. Fellows an
nounced the business of the meeting as a
demand Of the patrons Of the Washington
Arlington and Falls Church Railroad for
an Improvement in its service. Its passen-
gers. he said. feel that they travel at the
risk Of life and limb, and they are deter
mined that they viii no longer submit to
conditions which have become intolerable
Company Promises improvements.
J. ". Garner. the first speaker. said
that he had been requested by an official
Of the road 70 say that the management
was preparing 70 install a. signal system
and telephones at all points where the
cars pass. as well as other improvements
tending 10 reduce the danger Of travel
10 a minimum.
In reply 10 this r. c. I. Moncure. the
peoples attorney at the inquiry into the
recent accident. said that this was the
first time in the history of the road that
the management had deigned 10 respond
to 4 public demand
And they would ignore our protests
now" said Mr.. Moncure. were they not
convinced that the people OF this county
will no longer submit TO existing cOndi-
tons The past history Of this road has
demonstrated that it cares for its pas
sengers only so far as it regards the
money TO be obtained from them. We
are classed as human freight and nothing
more. The people OF Falls Church have
reached the l.n3it Of their patience, and
now that the inevitable accident has oc-
Cured, resulting in the death Of one and
the injury Of q score, the road announces
its intention of making the Improvements
so long needed.
Urge Adoption of RESOLUTIONS.
In closing, Mr.. Moncure urged upon the
meeting the adoption Of resolutions SINH
lar in character TO those adopted by
other organizations Of a like character.
Charles Henderson. a passenger on the
wrecked car, spoke In favor Of the adop-
ton of the resolutions, stating that the
crowded condition of the car on the morn
ing Of the accident was practically the
same as on every other morning on
which he was a passenger.
Criticism Of the method Of management,
was made by Robinson Loving. who
characterized Supt. Garrett as chief cook
and bottle washer" the real head of the
company residing in Philadelphia.
Addresses in support Of the resolutions
were made also by DR.. T. G Quick, II. G.
Hopkins. jeremiah Connolly, NJ Z,
Church, Thomas a. Hodgson, and Frank
Lyons.
Matters for Complaint.
Among the points contained in the res0-
lutions 10 be presented TO the State cor
poration commission are the necessity OF
emergency breaks; double tracks from
West Falls Church to Washington; that
the line is not equipped with proper
cars or power to run its cars, that the
/ signal service is such that life and limb
are continually in danger; the use on the
part Of the company Of unsafe cars
in that the woodwork is decayed and
rotting; the failure of the company to
maintain a proper schedule, and the
| overcrowding Of the cars.
| A reduction in rates will also be re-
quested, as It Is claimed the company
| is charging an excessive fare.
/ A committee of five, to be announced
on Monday, viii be appointed by the
chairman for the purpose of furthering
the organization of the permanent asso-
| citation, in which all commuters along
the line of the road will be invited tc