Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-17


thf county. stated that the service on the
lie ts better than Il ever was before. In
MS opinion the statements concerning the
undesirable condition of the cars are great
ly exaggerated. The witness also declared
that all the stations are good.
Effect Of Different Rates.
Judge Crump then asked the witness:
what is the effect of different ratesT'
Mr.. Torreyson replied that in LIS opinion
they are hurtful. In reply to a question
propounded by Judge Crump the witness
stated that he thought 1t would be practical
to sell six tickets for % cents, to be used
according to the distance Travelled. The
witness. however, stated that he did not see
how a railroad company could give 5-cent
fare to Falls Church.
Mr.. H. r. Thomas, deputy clerk of the
Alexandria county court, stated that he had
never seen anything which would lead him
to believe that the road is unsafe. He added
that there had been an Improvement within
the past five years. The witness was of the
opinion, he said. that the 5-cent commute
ton ticket would be for the good of the
road IL placed on sale.
When Mr.. Thomas examination had been
completed Vice President Hubbell submit
ted list of the annual passes given out on
his road, they numbering 132.
Summary Of Work.
Mr.. Jacob A. Gerke, an electrician en-
ployed by the company, gave a summary
of, the work done by the company in re-
cent years. The heating part, he said,
was controlled by a man at the shop. The
witness also stated that four new cars will
be in the shops within the next thirty or
forty days. The witness asserted that eight
cars are sufficient to operate the road. Four
new cars, he said, are now in the shop be-
ing prepared for the metallic circuit. The
company will be in position to operate
afov ~; he
the witness remarked. He also declared
that it is a standing rule for the con-
ductors to refrain from meddling with the
heating apparatus on the cars.
Mr.. ]. r. L. Garrett, general passenger
agent of the company, said he considers
the conpanys cars safe, and added that
1t is utterly impossible to heat them to the
satisfaction of all the patrons. Mr.. Gar
rett also stated that the average seating
capacity of the cars is forty passengers and
that the average car contains only about
fifteen passengers. The witness had never
heard complaints as to the road prior to
the hearing in progress. He had, however
heard complaints regarding the cash-Iar
system. The witness was of the opinion
that 1t would be impracticable for the con-
ductors to sell tickets.
Earnings and Expenditures.
The last witness was Mr.. C. r. Hinch-
man, secretary and treasurer of the road,
who gave detailed and comprehensive ac-
count of the earnings and expenditures. He
said that he had occupied his position since
June, 1900. Mr.. ,Hinchman stated that
last. year the road cleared only 800. Inc
loss on the new part of the line, he de-
clared, was $4,000, and that the new line
cost in excess Of $15O,000. The surplus last
year, he said, was expended for improve
ments, as was 3d. 900 additional. The road.
he stated, has never paid a dividend. 1he
cost of running to Fairfax and back
is $7.58, Mr.. Hinchman said. In regard to
the bonds of the road the witness said
that the first mortgage on the road Is for
100000, bearing interest at the rate of O
per cent, and the next mortgage is for
S250,0OO, bearing interest at the rate of 5
per cent.
IF any reduction in fares is made we
would not make anything" he said. Tine
company has sold all the bonds that 1t can
sell under the terms Of it's mortgage"
The witness was also of the opinion that
charge of cents per mile would be inn
practicable. When the case is taken up In
Richmond Mr.. Hinchman will be again
placed on the stand and examined by the
attorneys representing the commuters.
Form of an Order.
Mr.. Frank Lyons, representing the COM
muters, has prepared an order which he
will ask the commission to adopt The or
der meets with the approval of Mr.. r. c. L..
Moncure, E. w. R. Eweing end L. M. Wal
tiers, attorneys for the commuters. 1t fol-
lows: THAT the Washington, Arlington
and Falls Church Railway Company be di-
vided into zones as follows:
THE first zone extending from Rosslyn to
Veith's Summit and Rosslyn road. The
second zone extending from Veith's Summit
to West Falls Church and Columbia road
to Nauck's.
That between West Falls Church and
Fairfax such additional zones be established
as are just and reasonable SO as to pay the
company a reasonable return upon it's in
vestment.
THAT the fare to be charged and collect
ed in each of these zones be not to exceed
cents, payable on the car.
THAT the company be allowed to issue
school tickets upon Such terms as it deems
proper.
THAT within six months from the date
hereof the company shall place in service
on it's existing lines large first-class cars,
like it's present large cars, and that during
each six months thereafter there shall be
added at least - such cars until its line Is
fully equipped with such cars.
That the company shall erect at each of
it's stopping places a shelter station, which
shall be lighted by electric lights at all
times the cars are In operation at times
other than daylight.
THAT until the company equips its line
with the large cars as above set forth chill
dren under condition be permitted to
stand on the running board of cars and
that sufficient equipment be supplied at all
times to carry passengers sitting or stand
ing inside the cars and on platforms"
Echoes Of the Fire.
The ladies connected with the Cooper
alive Charities Association held confer
ence today with number of city officials,
including Mayor Paff, for the purpose of
devising means for assisting those who lost
their belongings in the fire which de-
stroyed the frame row of houses on the
east side of Alfred street between Oronoco
and Pendleton streets last night.
1t was decided to solicit subscriptions for
the cause.
The funeral of Mrs Sarah E. Skillman,
who died from the effects of smoke and ex-
posure, incident to being removed from
one of the burning houses. will occur
Monday afternoon from the residence of
her daughter, Mrs. Della MILAN, 2OS North
Pitt street.
Mrs Daniel Jenkins. who resided at 515
North Alfred street, left $50 in her house,
on the first floor, and during the excitement
attending the fire. entirely forgot it until
the house was enveloped in flames. She
told her story to Mr.. Frank Glasgow, a
spectator, who at once ran into the burn
ing building, securing the money for the
woman.
Issuance Of Charter.
The Plantation Tobacco Company, In
corporated, of this city. has been granted