The Washington times., 1908-07-13
District Electrical Chief the
Executive of New
Commission.
HEARS COMPLAINTS
FROM THE PUBLIC
Meeting Held Today in Office Re-
Gently Established in the
WestoFy Building.

H. c. Eddy, superintendent OF the
! Electrical Department Of the District Of
Columbia. today was named by the new
District Railway Commission as its sec
retary and executive officer. The posi-
ton is the only salariel one IN the COM
mission. and pays s, ,50O a year
Mr.. Eddy was chOsen ou- Of nearly a
dozen practical street railway men Who
applied for the position. He has been
superintendent OF the District Electrical
Department since January, 1907
His application was strongly indorsed
by prominent men Of this end other
cities and the Traction board feels that
it has secured the right man Tor the
place
To Hear Complaints.
The duties OF the position involve the
careful examination Of all complaints
and suggestions made by the public re-
garding the operation OF street cars
and their equipment within the District
OF Columbia
In cases where the executive cannot
settle any matters directly with the
street car corporations. the suggestions
or complaints viii be taken up by the
traction board. and. when cooler
weather sets n. public hearings will be
held on subjects deemed worthy Of
consideration.
The meeting Of the traction board
today was held I'm the new offices in
the Westory building. At its conclu-
sion the board held a conference with
Chairman Knapp, Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission: United States
District Attorney D. w Baker, and
Ralph Given. one Of his assistants.
The alleged violations Of the speed
laws by electric cars were discussed.
and Mr. Baker agreed to prosecute
through the Police Court st once any
cases which the traction board should
bring TO the attention Of his Office.
Whether notification of such cases
Chairman Knapp, OF the Interstate
Commerce Commission or direct from
the traction board has not yet been de-
cided.
Letters Received.
Among the letters considered today
was an anonymous communication
which General Wilson had received pre-
viously. The matter II touched upon
viii not be investigated. and the com
mission announces that no attention
will be given 10 letters not properly
signed. The letter read. in part:
nave place where We may make com
plants Can you not cause the re-
mOVal OF the switch a Z the corner of
Connecticut avenue and 5 street, II is
terrible 70 be obliged 70 live near such
an instrument OF torture night and dav
over which the cars bound and crash
with noise as Of guns. The motOrmen
seem TO take pleasure in putting on
extra speed as they approach the
switch, and TO make IL howl hideously.
G 20
A J. Parsons wrote, asking that pas
seugers be not allowed 10 stand on
the rear platform Of cars, saying that
they were only in the way of others
while there He also desired that smok-
ing on back platforms be prohibited.
Mr.. Eddy's Career.
General Wilson said today that it is
hoped that Mr.. Eddy may he able to
report for duty on Wednesday His
resignation as superintendent OF the
electrical department remains to be
sent in. and to be acted upon by the
District Commissioners, when the IN
terstate Commerce Commission will Of
ficiaHy make the appointment to the
District Railway Commission. General
Wilson sent MI Eddy a letter this
afternoon informing MIN of his election
by the Traction Board
Harry c Eddy is an electrical engin-
eer of sixteen years experience, ten
years of which was spent in connection
with the construction and operation of
electric railroads He is about thirty
eight years old. He was educated az
years Of which were spent in connection
Lehigh University and Columbia Col
lege New York city, cdkinr a sDecfai
course in electricity at the latter.
After leaving college. in 1892 he began
at the bottom of the ladder by taking a
position as n assistant dynamo tender
2sId ailer in an electrical railway mower
station at Newark, n. J. He became an
apprentice in inside wiring in Bridge
port, Conn, several months later, ana
next had charge Of large Isolated
plapt in the Prudential Insurance Com
pany's building. in Newark. N J.
His next position was in charge OF the
installation Of overhead construction ON
an electric railway system in Danbury
Conn, and later he was in charge ~
the operation cf the power station for
this system.
Came to Washington.
Mr.. EDDY came to washington TO
take charge Of the overhead construc-
ton and bonding OF the washington.
Arlington and Falls Church Electric
Railway. and later acted as assistant
eng ineer in charge Of the installation
OF the complete system OF the Congress
Heights Electric Railway.
Late in the fall OF 1897 he was appoint
ed Distric- Inspector in charge Of re-
construction OF lines Of the CAPITAL
Traction Company, OF this city. and
served in that capacity several months
While in this position ne was offered
and accepted that Of inspector In the
Electrical Department OF the District,
remaining there over three years. He
resigred in June, 1901 but after few
years he returned 10 Washington and
became connected with the Sewer De-
partment.
In l9J'. he became Superintendent of
toe Electrical Department of the Dis
trict.
RTI nVJ MAN CVJ~Vnr