Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-02
Securing the Half Loaf.

In the matter of street railway serv-
ice Washington needs % more tracks and
-, more cars. 0 1t needs the tracks to
the Union station. and other track extern
sions Of existing lines. especially for the
benefit of East Washington. CD 1t needs
more cars with shorter intervals between
the scheduled running time OF cars. espe-
cially on certain suburban lines. and at
hours of heavy travel on all the lines.
There are certain sectional betterments
also needed in development of better serv-
ice. as for instance the running of through
cars on the Brightwood line.
The desire of the people of Washington
is TO get all of these improvements as soon
as possible by direct command of Con-
gross. or from the railways by the appli-
cation of pressure and in anticipation OF
such command Of Congress.
The need of Union static tracks and
some other extensions can be satisfied al
once il the two houses of Congress Will
declare together what they have already
declared separately on this subject Sat
isfacton of the need of more cars running
at shorter intervals is promised in round
about fashion and at some future date by
the Commissioners regulation provision.
and therein is found the element of
strength in this proposition of the House,
On the assumption that the railways will
obstnately persist in refusal to buy more
cars and to shorten the intervals between
cars for the benefit of strap-hangers. the
public will favor their regulation by
anybody who promises relief from the
discomfOrts and evils of overcrowding.
There is no strong public demand at this
time for universal transfers or for any
form of cheaper service as distinguished
from better service.
In the public interest the street railway
ccnferees should agree on the Union sta
ton and other extension trackage; elm
mate the universal transfers provision and
compromise upon some form of regulation
of41e railways. unless the deficient roads
shall bind themselves to improve their
equipment and schedules and relieve the
strap-hangers Immediately or much more
quickly than can be secured through the
regulations Of any kind Of commission.
The railways OF which reasonable COM
plant is made should at once. without re-
sisting further the popular pressure or
waiting to be compelled by any form of
commission. buy more cars and better
cars and improve their service. Failure
to do SO and thus to remove real grounds
stantly to outbursts of angry public senti
ment. Strap-hangers, persistently denied
relief. are the natural hackers of universal
transfers. three-cent fares municipal reg
uiation or ownership. and OF any and
every proposition reasonable or unreason-
able which promises punishment for the
roads and qualification of their reasonable
resentment.
II 1t develops that Washington can get
At this session by congressional agree
ment only more tracks and not at this
time by compulsory legislation more cars
the community will certainly prefer TO
take what it can get. and to satisfy one
Of it's urgent needs rather than TO gain
nothing at all for this year by insisting
upon everything Washington will not
initiate the youth in the fable. who filed
his hand SO full of treasure that he could
not withdraw ii through the narrow neck
of the treasure jar. and who, instead OF
dropping what he could not secure. held
fast 10 all and lost all.