The Washington herald., 1908-06-21

n is fair 70 assume that Washington
will have a much better street car serv-
Zee than Il has had as soon as several
conditional problems OF trackage. cars.
and altered schedules can be carried out
Within one years time several things
have happened which promise this result
First and most important Of all, was
the installation last year OF the new cleo
tricai plant at Benning. which. with the
other manufacturing facilities OF the two
railway companies. assures sufficiency Of
power for the running OF more cars at
shorter intervals. Instead Of the power
facilities now being run almost 20 the
danger point, there Is reserve current
which would enable the companies to
Increase their runs probably 50 per cent
without IN the least straining the facjli-
ties for the production Of power.
Washington Railway Changes.
The second thing OF Importance was the
buying-ln OF the control Of the Wash
Ington Railway and Electric Companys
stock by local capitalists and the reor-
ganization OF the corporation with some
Of the foremost financial talent of Wash
ington at the head OF government 10
manage its affairs. The new company is
pledged not only to wise management OF
the corporation. but TO substantial IN
crease in the efficiency Of the system.
The third thing Of Importance was the
passage by Congress of the supervisory
clause Of the Union Station trackage law.
giving supervision Of street railways In
the District OF Columbia into the hands
Of the Interstate Commerce Commission,
with authority TO compel obedience 70
Its orders for better service where needed.
With these new and changed condi-
tions, the local street railway situation
has materially become better, and the as
sumption Is warranted that out Of the
present order OF things improved service
and facilities OF travelling about the Dis
trict VIII result.
Viewed FavOrabIy by the Public.
The supervision Of the street railway
Service by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission Is looked upon with favor, both
by the operating companies and the pub
bic. The corporations expect the com
mission 70 treat them fairly, and the
public expects that Il will at once di-
rect that the service shall be enlarged
and made better IN many important par
ticulars. Already citizens associations
and others are preparing evidence and
the necessary data 10 petition the COM
mission for increased service.
One case IN point is that the citizens
Served by the Brightwood Railway have
united IN an appeal to the commission
Tor through service into the city on
north OF Florida avenue TO reach the
city without change OF cars and with
out Irritating waiting at the functions foI
cars always crowded and run or
schedules that belong TO the experiment
al stage of street railway operation OF
twenty years ago.
The Interstate Commerce Commission
has a way OF going 20 the bottom OF
things when It appoints a hearing for
any purpose. II has all the authority
Of a court 70 summon witnesses and
bring to light the true facts OF a given
situation. Then II cogitates. and its
orders are notably fair 10 all concerned
It's orders are generally obeyed by the
great railroad corporations Of the coun-
try. without appeal 20 courts, and they
will be obeyed in the District Of Column
bia.
IN tne urSt place. lne commission is
not likely to order anything unreasonable
10 the companies. and the thing directed
81 would be suicidal for the corporation
TO digObey as It would be beaten in the
end
Terms of the New Inv.
The authority reposed IN the Tnterstat,
Commerce Commission by the act o.
Congress. while general in its terms. 4.
sufficient for all purposes. It provide,
that:
Every street railway company or cor
poration owning. controlling. leasing Of