Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-11
RAILWAY BOARD ACTS
Recommends "Some Through
Service" From BrightWood.
WILL GIVE PUBLIC HEARING
Suggestions of Secretary Eddy Fa-
vorably Received.
TO INVESTIGATE ACCIDENTS
Interstate Commerce Commission
Must Next Act on Report Of
Subordinate Body.

Perhaps the most important develop
ments thus far. from the standpoint or
public interest in the work of the Dis
trict electric railway commission. which
was in session yesterday afternoon and
this morning. is indicated by the an
nouncement that it is the sense Of the
commission that ''some through service.
at least. should be provided on the
Brightwood line"
In order to get at the bottom of all the
facts public hearing will be held by
the commission at O'Clock in the after
noon of October 5, to whic.. the railway
representatives. as we'll as the general
public who have an interest in the sub
ject, will be invited All sides will be
given an opportunity to be heard.
Three reports were submitted to the
commission by Secretary Eddy-a general
| report. one relating to the use OF air.
brakes ON heavy grades, and the third a
report in the Brightwood case. Three
recommendations made by him were
submitted to the interstate commerce
commission for it's approval and their
PRONUNCIATION in the form Of official Or
| ders
1t was also decided that hereafter when
accidents occur the commission will take
| cognizance and institute Investigations to
ascertain the facts for such further action
as in their judgment may seem required.
| The commission adjourned to meet to-
| day at 10 o'clock in order to complete as
far as possible the business claiming its
attention prior to the departure of Com
missioner West on his vacation. He has
! specially deferred his departure for the
| purpose
OF the recommendations OF Secretary
| Eddy the following were adopted by the
| commission for reference to the inter-
| state commerce commissions:
Oil Taillights Recommended.
THAT the last sentence Of section {
of the present regulations for the opera
ton and equipment of street cars in the
District of Columbia adopted by the
| interstate commerce commission July Z,
| 1908. be amended to read as follows:
| Every suburban electric car in mo-
| ton between shutdown and sunrise shall
| be provided with a headlight which shall
| be located on the front dash. and tail
| light which shall be located on the side
| of the car near the roof at the rear end.
| The taillisht shall show red toward the
rear and green toward the front. Oil
must be used for fuel in taillights.
| The object of this regulation, it is Naid.
| is to prevent collisions that are likely
| to occur when a car Is on the down grade
| and the current fails. putting out the
| lights. SO that motormen on cars which
! follow cannot know that the track is OBJ
| structed
Second That section be amended
| by the following addition: Passengers
| will not be allowed to ride on the front
| platform Or stand upon the steps. out
| side the gates. upon the tenders or
| bumpers of any urban. suburban or inter-
| urban electric railway car in motion in
| the District of Columbia; provided. that
| this regulation shall not be interpreted
| to prevent passengers from occupying
TO Stan limo
| on the front platforms of trailers.
This regulation will not become opera
tive until October -. or at least that is
the purpose of the commission.
For Air Brakes.
| The third recommendation provides for
the addition of the following to section
II of the street railway regulations: All
new double truck suburban or interurbah
electric cars which shall be placed in
| service in the District of Columbia on and
| after October L. 1908. shall be equipped
| with an approved type of air brakes in
| addition to the usual hand brakes. "
| This recommendation is made at the
| suggestion of B. II. Warner. who thinks
| that all the cars operating on the District
| lines should be equipped with air brakes.
| The commission at present is willing to
| adopt the recommendation so far as il
| applies to new cars of the double-truck
pattern, which may be placed in service
| OH Tie SuUuIUdI llleI Ddu lilies OH
| AMI after October 1. but further considera-
ton will be given the suggestion to eX-
tend the regulation to all cars.
! The foregoing regulations were unani-
mousy adopted by the commission in
some instances after considerable discus
sion.
Secretary Eddy's reports in the cases in
| vestigated went fully into detail. and at
the close of the session Gen. John NJ. Will
son, chairman of the commission, compli-
mented him on the service he had thus far
pei formed.
Driving Her Insane.
Seven new complaints were laid before
the commission. which had been received
since it's last session. The most promi-
nent among them was one from q lady of
national reputation. who for years has
made her home at a hotel facing G street
between 18th and 10Th streets. Her COM
plant was addressed to Maj. Richard
Sylvester, and was by him referred to the
commission. She implored the major to
get rid of the loose rails and the whole
machinery of WORKOUT cars and trucks
which, she says. make night hideous in
that locality with their noise. She states
that If Secretary Eddy has the power and