The Washington herald., 1908-01-17


hearings on the street railway question
yesterday, and another viii begin at 1880
this morning. At the morning session,
Gen. HaTries spoke, and at the afternoon
session, there was an open hearing, in
which the extension of the Capital Trac-
ton lines down Florida avenue and
Eighth street northeast, forming a cross
town line, was generally discussed.
Nearly all the speakers, representing
the Citizens Association, were in favor
Of the proposed extension.
One fact brought out was that, as a
general thing, there IS little sentiment in
Washington, either for lower fares or uni
versal transfers, if the companies will
extend and improve their services.
Service is what we want" was almost
invariably the answer 10 a standing ques-
ton proposed By Mr.. McGavin. Another
point brought up by Representatives Tay-
lor and Campbell was whether or not, un-
der the Constitution, Congress can pass
a law compelling the traction companies
10 construct tracks
The answer TO this argument was that
the companies are seeking extensions to
the Union Station, and that If the bin
passed to cover those extensions provides
for the others also. the company. by the
acceptance Of the one. will be compelled
10 accept the other terms.
Traction Lines Agree.
It was further brought out by reference
TO a hearing last year that President
Dunlop. of the Capital Traction Com
pany, wants a law permitting the build
Ing of the cross-town line. That he can
not ask for It because Of an agreement
with the Washington Railway and Elec-
tric Company to stay out of their terri
tory was the statement made by Mr.
Severan after he had assured the commit
tee that President Dunlop was anxious to
have Congress authorize the construction
Of the lines
What objection there was made to the
construction of the lines, which include
line from Seventh street and Florida ave
nue. northwest down Florida avenue to
Eighth street northeast, thence to Eighth
street and Pennsylvania avenue south
east to connect with the navy yard line,
and a line down New Jersey avenue. from
Florida avenue TO Massachusetts avenue,
thence past the Union Station and east
on street To connect with the Eighth
street line was presented by ". H. Keith
and John F. Conners.
The former lives In Eighth street south
east, and his objection was based on the
ground that as there are no less than six
schools, as many churches. and hos
pital along the lines, the small children
would be in danger If losing their lives.
Corners thinks the Cross-town line should
cross further south than in Florida ave-
nue. He lives on the corner of Florida
avenue and First street and thinks il too
narrow for car tracks.
smith Wants Line.
The first speaker at the hearing was
Thomas W. Smith. president of the East
Washington Citizens Association. He pre-
sented 81 map showing the proposed ex-
tensions. He said that 10o9 houses had
been built in the northeast in the past
year. and that there is an urgent demand
for crOss-tOWn line. As a business man.
he is convinced that it could be con
structed for $4,000 mile for the three
miles. and that it would be profitable.
He declared the company is ready TO
build IL the law is passed. and he pre-
scented a petition containing the names of
5,00o citizens asking for the extensions.
William G. Henderson chairman of the
railway committee OF the North Capitol
and lexington Citizens Association. ap-
proved the measure and took part I'm an
argument as 10 whether Congress can
compel the construction of the lines.
Would the courts uphold such compul-
sion il the roads complained that the acts
We're confscatory?' asked Mr.. Kahn
The reply was that the companies are
operating under charters granted by the
Congress, and that such action would be
in the nature Of an amendment prOvi- /
sions for which are made in the charters.
He said the Union Station bill provides
for the northwest, but that the northeast
IS left out entirely, Mr. Oicott asked If !
the northeast would prefer 10 have the
Union Station tTackage bill held up if /
the other questions could not be agreed /
upon. The answer was in the negative.
VIII Benefit Thousands.
Mr.. Severn said from 5OOoO to 7o.0o0 per
sons would be directly benefited bv the
construction Of the lines. and cited in
stances where one may walk from places
in the southeast 10 the northeast quicker /
than they can make the trip by car down |
Afr. Dunlop had intimated the two COM /
panies have an agreement by which |
neither is 10 oncroach upon the territory
OF the other. As It now stands. the Wash |
ington Railway and Electric Company
owns all the lines IN the northeast but
the Capitol loop of the Capital Traction
Compang
William NJ Cromwell president Of the
Petworth Citizens Association, thinks the /
present conditions are disgraceful. He /
called particular attention to the Bright /
wood line, where three transfers are 1
made. and where, he said, no effort was |
made 10 accommodate the traffic. He |
made the declaration that thirteen cars /
only are used TO operate the line.
Evan II. Tucker. president Of the North 1
east Citizens, said that IL the Capital 1
Traction Company is given access TO the |
territory now exclusively covered by the /
East Capitol d, and II street lines of the |
Washington Electric Company. there
would be no demand for universal trans /
fers, for then there would be no necessity
for the payment of two fares 10 get our
Of the northeast into any section of the
northwest than Georgetown and Mount
Pleasant In line with the other speakers.
he called attention 70 the fact that there
is not north and south line east of the
Capitol, and cited the fact that there are
several thousand persons whose business
compels them 70 traverse that section
daily.
MiiIard old Resident.
Josiah AIillard lives IN Eighth street
northeast where he has lived for thirty
years, and he wants the line. William J.
Erizell thinks the company would have TO
prove such construction confscatory be-
fore the courts would hold them not
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