Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-05
EXPENSE IS JUSTIFIED
Controller TraceWeII UphoIds
Local Railway Commission.
Permitted BY THE LAW
Complaints Received by Executive
Officer Eddy.
DANGER OF HIGH CAR STEPS
Haste and Neglect Of Conductors.
Rowdyism Charged-Alleged vio-
lation Of Speed Regulations.

Controller Tracewell of the Treasury ha
rendered a decision that the interstate
commerce commission has authority tc
appoint and fix the compensation of EN-
ployes of the District electric railway
commission and to rent any rooms that
may be necessary for the work of tn
commission The matter was submitted
to the controller by H. s. Milstead. win
stated that Harry c. Eddy of Virginia
had been appointed to investigate com
plants as to the local railways and to
perform such other duties as might be di-
rected by the commission, at a salary ol
$3.50 per year. He also stated that il
was necessary to rent quarters for the
new commission. The controller refers to
the appropriation Of 500, 900 placed in the
hands of the commission for various work
being performed by 1t. and said there is
no limit as to how this appropriation may
be spent.
He says that, although the law says
that no more buildings may be rented In
the District OF Columbia for government
purposes without specific authority of
Congress. he found a provision Of the
law of 1889 authorizing the interstate
commerce commission to hire suitable
Offices. etc. He thought this gave authro
ity for the renting Of quarters for the
local electric railway commission.
Numerous Complaints Received.
Mr.. H. c. Eddy. executive officer of the
District electric railway commission
spent today reading many complaints that
were piled high on his desk this morning
by the postman.
The complaints that have been received
are. in brief, as follows:
Mrs. F. L. Ransome of 1855 Belmont
street sent a fve-page letter telling OF
the high steps on the cars of the 14th
street line.
W. ]. MCGEE, secretary of the inland
waterways commission, complained OF
'rowdyism' on Glen Echo car of the
Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany. maintaining that the chief ''rowdy,'
was either motorman or conductor OF
anee was, knowingly permitted by the
crew of the car.
Mrs. G.. r. Elliott. who at the marine
barracks complained that conductor on
the Rockville line failed to give her 4s
cents change. declares the money is a
mere. bagatelle. but thinks the practice
should be stopped.
Three police captains sent complaints
to the commission regarding violations
of the speed laws and the failure Of car.
to stop at certain street intersections. q
High Car Steps.
In her letter complaining of the height
of the steps of cars on the 14th street
line Mrs. Ransome says that she has
witnessed accidents to elderly persons
caused by this trouble, and that she has
heard others groan with the efforts OF
climbing to the car seats. and she thinks
hn hfOh cfa roG4 I
to life. The letter. in part, follows:
I'm our family of six persons all but one
suffer inconvenience. discomfort and even
danger in mounting to the platforms OF
these cars and in dismounting. Car rid
ing for pleasure will soon be a thing OF
the pas. at the rate the steps increase ir
height. We use the cars only when we
have to- and are thankful enough when
one of the older cars appears.
1T was May II. when 1 came near be.
Ing thrown of a car myself and five
minutes later was witness to an accident
to an elderly lady who fell full length In
the street, that 1 decided it was time to
write or do something. I knew the dis.
tress Occasfoned to my own mother In
boarding the cars. and had visions of the
same thing happening to her. AS / con-
sented to give my name as Witness was
interviewed and gave a statement of tile
accident to a representative of the com.
pany. In my opinion. and there were
others who agreed with me. 1t was not
only the indiscretion of the lady and un-
of the steps, that caused the accident.
Steps twenty-five Inches High.
when I told my husband this. he took
measurements of the car steps to see il
my fears for future safety of the family
were well-grounded. He found the dis
tance from step to platform to be not less
than twenty-five inches. about the height
Of a dining-room chair. Now. it would
not be considered proper to take such a
step under ordinary circumstances but
tion) are now forced to do this is public
on the street cars at the risk OF their
lives.
1T is a constant strain on ones vitality
to pull ones self and lift children to the
PLATFORM. Yesterday afternoon l came
from the Union station with one of my
children. four years of age. When we
were getting OF I placed my bag on the
ground and was about to help the child
who had her arms outstretched, when the
for me to save her from falling, but a
gentleman who had kindly vacated the
end-seat to let US pass caught her as she
plunged forward. / noted tile number Of
same man who allowed a poor woman to
get her family of five children on the car
safely, but while she was struggling to
the platform started the car while she
still had both feet on the step.
Neglectful Conductors.
Rarely does a conductor help or notice
even II patrons are In difficulty with ths
steps. Only the people who do not ride
with children and are skirt free are safe
Such were the makers of the cars. anc
hence the troubles OF women who ride
During the early part OF June. as I rode
in the cars and heard women exclaim oI
groan with the effort of getting to the
seats. l asked them II they would give
me their names and addresses in case
should call a meeting or petition for q
change In the cars. Not one refused
Complaint Of Rowdyism.
Mr.. McGee OF the inland waterways
commission explained in great detail the
''rowdyism" OF which he complained He
stated that he boarded q car for Glen
Echo about 7:30 pm. August 8 at 18th
and G streets. that two men wearing the
company's uniform were seated on the
front seat back Of the motorman. As the
car was crowded he tried to open the gate
to the front seat, was at first prevented
from doing 20 by the men in Uniform he
said, and later was hindered from takine
a seat there by the men In uniform be.