Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-14
ASKS BETTER GAR SERVICE
PROPERTY OWNER MAKES SUG
GEsTIoNS TO COMMISSIONERS.
Asserts Money That Should Be In
vested in District Is Diverted
to Nearby States.

In communication to the Commits
sioners Arthur E. Randle asserts that
property owners of the District and resi-
dents of the suburbs are being discrim-
mated against, and because of the lack
of proper street car service millions of
dollars that would be invested IN this
city are being diverted to Maryland and
Virginia.
You have frequently invited citizens
to make suggestions to enable you to
give the District of Columbia the best
government possible Mr. Randle says.
Il take the liberty of laying before you
some facts which call for vigorous, de-
cided and prompt action on your part.
That the suburban residents and property
owners and the District of Columbia in
general being disseminated against
I will show you.
4 man living in Tenleytown, Congress
Heights. BriShtwood. Randle Highlands
and many other suburbs of the District of
Columbia must change cars to enter the
city but man living in Laurel, Hyatts-
Vile and Berwyn. Md, and in Alexan-
d-ia. Del Ray and way down the river
as far as Mount Vernon in Virginia can
come 10 the heart of the city without
change OF cars. Is this fair? This is
not only discrimination against the
residents and property owners living In
the suburbs of the District of Columbia.
hut il is driving the investment of mil
hons of dollars out of the District into
Maryland and Virginia by people who
work in Washington, but must seek
homes III the two adjacent states If they
want to come into the heart of the city
without q change of cars. while those
who want TO live in the District OF Co
lumbia. almost in the shadow of the dome
OF the Capitol. must cnanse cars 10 redcN
the business center.
The writer states that the result OF
this condition is that new and prosperous
towns and suburbs are springing up all
At,t. linz a a N a
and Virginia.
District Losing Revenue.
Il understand Mr.. Randle adds. 1T is
considered unfair to let one railroad
company run its cars over the tracks of
using the tracks of another road pays
for the privilege. The Mount Vernon
road brings people from Virginia into
the heart of the city on the tracks OF
the Washington railway and electric line
under traffic arrangements. Why not
give the people of Brightwood Friendship.
Congress Heights and other suburbs in
The District this same privilege? | have
criticism To make of the railroad COM
panes because the Capital Traction Com
pany gives 10 its patrons the best service
of any car line in America and Gen.
Harries Is laboring day and night to per-
feet his system. Still. the fact remains.
suburban property in the District of Co
lumbia and the residents of the suburbs
in the District are suffering a loss and
Inconvenience and the District is losing
all enormous amount OF revenue from
taxes which justly belong to it from peo-
pie who make their livelihood in the Dis
trict. but who are forced to live In Nir-
gina and Maryland in order to get
through car service to their places of
cmpio yment in the city of Washington"
Mr.. Randle explains that in making
these statements he does not To do
anything antaSonistic 10 the present rail-
way .ystelns. but simply to appeal to the
Commissioners and TO the officials of the
railways To adopt plan that VIII be
just and tair 10 the property owners.
He suggests as a substitute 10 the bill
betc:e the Commissioners in reference to
suburban railways "A bill that will allow
the several roads in the District To con-
solidate So that there will ne one system
with uniform railroad facilities through
out the District and to give the
residents of the suburbs of the District
as good service is given to those
VIVA reside in Maryland and Virginia.
Mai. jay j. Morrow. Engineer Commits
sinrer. TO whom this communication was
referred has moved that a copy OF Mr..
Randles letter to the Commissioners and
copy of his proposed amendment to the
bill i'm question be referred to George T..
Hamilton. president of the Capital Trac-
ton Company and to Gen. George III.
Harries vice president of the Washing
ton Railway and Electric Company, for
expressions OF opinion.