Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-19
ABOLISH THE TRA|LERS
New Order for Suburban Lines
May Be Issued.
HEARING TO BE GRANTED
Railway Officials Invited to Appear
and Say Why Not.
WATCHING CROWDED CARS
Commission Agents on the Lookout
for Data-One Man Without
Complaint.
HEARING TO BE GRANTED
WATCHING CROWDED CARS

0ss~~ >-~S--
Complaint.
Contemplating the issue of an order COM
polling all the electric lines in the Dis
trict of Columbia. except the interurban
roads, to abolish the use of trailers after
January 1. 1910. the District electric rail-
way commission decided yesterday to
grant a hearing to give the railways to
be affected by the order an opportunity to
show cause why they should not comply.
fixed.
hearing will also be granted. it was
determined, to the Georgetown and Ten
leytown railway to allow it to present
arguments or evidence to show why i,
should not equip its cars with air brakes.
in accordance with recommendation of
the commission made several weeks ago.
The attitude which these lines will
take toward the hearings is regarded
as the chief source of speculation. AT
former public hearings the railway COM
panies have failed to appear. on the
ground that they do not recognize any
The interstate commerce commission has
announced that it will consider no evil
dence from the companies except such
as is presented before the subcommission,
and these hearings are given to afford the
railways an opportunity to present their
side of these matters. The new ruling
of the interstate commerce commission.
In the opinion of some. may force the
railways to recognize the District com.
mission. and their attitude toward these
hearings to be held in the near future
will be watched with interest.
- Troslor,
The question of the use Of trailers was
brought up by several complaints re-
ceived by the commission, particularly
through one road. to the meeting yes
terday. This called attention to the dan
ger to conductors and passengers in pass
ing from the motor car to the trailer,
and suggested that some platform be put
between the two cars to Obviate the
danger.
To get large amount Of accurate data
in regard to traffic conditions, showing
whether or not cars are Overcrowded,
Secretary Eddy informed the commission
yesterday that he has four men stationed
at different points about the city making
observations at different hours during
the day.
The commission also considered a COM
plant regarding the speed Of cars at the
intersection of 10th and U streets and
New Hampshire avenue. The writer
called attention to a collision between a
street car and herdic at that point Oc-
tober Il and asserted that more accidents
will follow If the cars continue to pass
the point at the same speed at which they
have been doing. The commission de-
cided to write the railways to instruct
their employees to be more careful at 10th
and U streets and to instruct the police
Of the eighth precinct to watch the speed
of the cars there.
Complain Of Poor Signs.
A resident of Silver Spring, says that
much confusion is caused to persons
using the cars to Takoma Park and
Forest Glen because the signs showing
their designation are not clear and that
to change cars at the junction of the
Takoma Park and Forest Glen lines and
wait for some time where no shelter shed
Is provided. The commission voted to
ask the Brightwood Railway Company
to have proper signs on its cars.
The superintendent of public buildings
and grounds informed the commission, In
a letter, that steps would at once be
taken to provide platforms for passengers
from street cars on the near side Of the
intersecting streets on Pennsylvania ave-
nue. southeast, where the cars are now
compelled to stop on the near side of the
street. Owing to the parking which
runs down the center of the street, pas
4 SeNSerS nave encountered mucn mud and
wet grass In stepping from cars.
Reply to Mr.. Shoemaker.
The letter from Louis P. Shoemaker, in
which he declares that the railway COM
pany running cars to Takoma Park and
Forest Glen from the loop on 7th street
north of Florida avenue is violating the
law of Congress ordering railways in the
District to supply sufficient number of
49,, IL
the cars OvercrOwded, was laid before the
commission. The attitude of the commits
sion was outlined in letter to Mr.. Shoe
maker, written by Gen. John M. Wilson,
its chairman, which is. in part, as fol-
lows:
Dear Sir: Acknowledging receipt of
your interesting letter of the 10Th instant
1 beg to say that / fully realize the exist
ing conditions at the loop In 7th street.
north of Florida avenue, and that the
commission has already taken action, so
far as is in its power, to require the
Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany to operate at all times q sufficient
number of cars over its lines SO as to pro-
vide comfortable, convenient and expe-
ditious passage for It's patrons. and also
to operate every car through from some
point in the heart of the city of Washing
ton to the District line and Takoma Park
and return between the hours of and 8
a m. and from 1870 to $50 pm.
Legality of Orders Questioned.
"The legality of the orders for through
cars has been questioned by the railway
company. and the company has been
granted further hearing upon the law
fulness of the present ORDER"
Railway companies will be- asked to
furnish the commission with the routes
and schedules of cars to run to the new
Union station over the new tracks. This
matter was brought up through a COM
plant to the commission, stating that the
Lincoln Park cars of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company should
pass the Union station instead of the
Mount Pleasant cars, as he says is in
tended.
II have no complaint to make" said an
other resident in letter to the commits
sion. This is regarded as the most unique
communication yet received at its Office
He says that his pet dog was saved from
death under the wheels of an electric car
by the fender And he adds that he
thinks the local street railways are the
best in the world.
APPLICANTS GALORE.
Between 600 and 700 Seek Govern
rnanf Doe3<iono