Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-03
ITS PURPOSES ASKED
Questions Put to Local Rail-
way Company.
ACTION BY COMMISSION
Information Desired Regarding the
Rockville Line.
SERVICE SEVERELY CRITICISED
Adopted Requiring
Heating Of the Cars From No.
vember 1 to April 1.
ACTION BY COMMISSION
SERVICE SEVERELY CRITICISED

The Rockville division of the Washing
| ton Railway and Electric Company was
| severely criticised in the report of Secre-
tary Eddy to the District electric railway
| commission at its meeting in the Westory
building yesterday afternoon. It's service
was characterized as Every inferior and
not altogether safe and the commits
sion adopted a recommendation for refer
ence to the interstate commerce commits
sion that the company be requested to
furnish information on the following mat
| tiers:
"First-In regard to what it proposes to
| do in the immediate future in connection
with improving the rolling stock now in
service on the line in question:
Observation-Disclosures it proposes to place
| new and better cars in service on this
| line. and il SO. when. how many. and
what is the character of the new equip
ment: and
'"rhird-Cannot any and all of the cars
now in service. on this line be equipped
with airbrakes, and if not, why not?
Heating the Cars.
Regulations were adopted for reference
to the interstate commerce commission
requiring that all cars in the District shall
have heating apparatus and be heated
from November to April to tempera-
ture not less than 40 degrees and not
more than go degrees Fahrenheit above
zero. such regulations to become effect
| i've three months after their adoption by
the interstate commerce commission.
Referring especially to the complaint
Of the Bethesda Citizens Association.
Mr.. Eddy reports0that a few trips taken
by him over the line during the rush
hours developed the fact that the claim
as to overcrowded cars and the desira-
The Rockville cars were found to be
frequently we'll filled and many pas
sengerS standing when the District line
was reached. Although there appears
to be some doubt as to the legality of
requiring the company to run through
cars under it's charter. Mr. Eddy believes
that a considerable Improvement in the
service will result If cars are run be-
tween the District line and Georgetown
at intervals OF five minutes. instead Of
gests that a legal opinion be obtained as
to the matter of requiring the company
to run through cars.
Mr.. Eddy's Observations.
The following are some extracts from
Mr.. Eddy's report:
I'm regard to the equipment Of cars
wan Oil O1thCo, "Oulu Stdtc tUdl III lily
opinion every car operated on this line
should be SO equipped. and the usual
hand brake should also be retained on
each~car
Investigation OF the complaint relative
to moth-eaten plush covering. on seats
develops the fact that there is one car
on this line equipped with seats which
are plush covered. and this car is used
only in cases of emergency.
Complaint has also been made Of the
Ia T. 34i4 ~. a.
is true in the case of many cars in Serv-
ice on this line. and in cases where there
are cross seats in the cars the backs Of
these seats are not provided with handles.
ON the whole. consider that the
equipment in service on this line is very
inferior and not altogether safe. When a
reply is received from the company CIV
ing Information in regard to what Inn
provements. if any. 1t proposes to make
in the equipment. / will be prepared to
to this matter.
I'm regard to crossing signals l would
state that l am now making inquiries into
the matter of the various types OF such
signals on the market. 1t would seem
that if a good signal can be found it
might be advis able to have 1t installed
at certain highway crossings
The report further says that the Sec
rotary is still investigating the matter of
signals at highway crossings. as sug-
gested in one of the complaints received
by the commission.
The secretary finds that as a rule the
morning cars are not overcrowded. but
the same cannot be said of the late after
noon cars
No action upon the report will probably
be taken until after the public hearing
Monday afternoon. although the commits
sion desired to be fully informed by Mr..
prior to that hearing.
Ra~or% An o,,ox1e;rk.
Secretary Eddy also reported that the
demand for all-night service on the Cap
ital Traction road beyond the Decatur
street car barn was unreasonable. as
there was not sufficient traffic to justify
1t; that little or no ground for complaint
exists on Calvert street from Cliffbourne
street to the Rock Creek bridge loop, az
to reckless and unnecessary noise. but
the attention. of the railway company
part of motormen which may be
remedied by orders on the subject; that
there is really no necessity for signs
in the city to show where the cars stop.
as the general rule requiring them to stop
on the near side of the street answers
the purpose. except in a few rare in
stances; that the Chevy Chase line Is
old. 1t is true. but not so bad after all !;
yet the company should provide electric
lights to replace the kerosene Oil lamps
be not now interfered with
Secretary Eddy also reported that the
crossing at 14th street and Central avenue
northeast. which has been complained of
as out of repair and dangerous. needs
looking after by the District Commits
sioners as the gravel on the street grade
has been washed away by rain. which is
not cons dered q shortcoming OF the rail.
way company.
Some New Complaints.
A number Of new complaints received
since the last meeting of the commission
we're made public. They include lack Of
all night car service in some quarters re-
fusal of conductors OH the Columbia cars
to issue transfers for cars gOins east on
F street a demand for electric headlights
on all cars. a warning as 10 dangerous
crossings on the Columbia line where the
Pennsylvania and Baltimore and Ohio
railroads cross the surface line at Sheriff
road. q demand that smoking on the cars
be forbidden and cross seats be abolished.
as well as the carrying OF baskets Of
soiled clothes on cars running on Con-
necticut avenue.
One writer suggests the advisability or
having the cars run to their destinations
on the left-hand tracks. instead of the
right-hand tracks, as a preventive to per-
sons taking hold of the back rail on the
platform when getting OFF, a source OF
great danger and many accidents.
Fithy cars on the 9th street line was
the subject of a complaint which was re-
ferred to the health officer for remedy
mere Will be two public hearings by