Evening star., 1909-07-16
OBJECTS TO POLES IN CARS
E. A. NEWMAN WRITES TO THE
COMMISSIONERS.
Regards Innovation on the 14th
Street Line as Dangerous to
the Passengers.

Edward A. Newman has written to the
District Commissioners protesting against
the poles put in some of the P. A. Y. E.
cars on the 14th street line as dangerous
to the safety of the passengers He asks
that a police regulation be adopted to
abate 1.-The nuisance" under the authority
of the Commissioners to adopt regula-
tions "for the protection of lives. limbs,
health, comfort and quiet of all persons
and the protection Of all property within
the District of Columbia"
II desire to call your attention to what
conceive to be a serious menace to life
and limb of the people who use the cars
of the Capital Traction Company. and to
respectfully request that a police regu-
lation be adopted and promulgated by
You to abate and prohibit the nuisance"
Mr.. Newman wrote the Commissioners.
Objects to Vertical Poles.
THAT company has caused 10 be con-
structed in some Of the pay-as-you-enter
cars three large vertical wooden poles
about six or seven feet apart in the mid
die of those cars, to which poles, near
the top thereof, is annexed another pole
or bar running parallel with the car and
at right angles with the vertical poles,
and on this parallel bar are placed a
large number OF straps for the passen-
gers to hang to in case there should be
no vacant seats in the car. In addition
to these straps there are two rows of
straps affixed to similar bars on the sides
near the seats, making in all three rows
of straps to accommodate those who are
compelled to stand.
when this character of car was first
put In commission the people and the To-
cal press complained about the uncom-
Portable seats, the wide space between
company to utilize the space. not for the
comfort and convenience of the passen-
gers, but with the intention of providing
more facilities for them to stand and be
uncomfortable in case there was no un-
occupied seat. In other words. the ca,
was built upon a plan to enrich the cof-
fers of the company at the expense and
discomfort of the people.
Alleged Danger to Passengers.
Now. my point is that these poles are
dangerous to the safety Of the travelling
public in this, that in turning a curve,
of which there are many along the line
of travel a standing passenger in a
crowded car is liable to be bumped or
thrown violently against one or more
of these poles and seriously injured. The
same thing might occur from the sud-
den starting or stopping of the car by the
motorman. who. as We all know, is not
always careful or experienced.
by section 2 of the joint resolution of
Congress approved February 26 1892, it
is provided that the Commissioners of
the District of Columbia are hereby au-
thorized and empowered to make rnd
enforce all such reasonable and usual po-
lice regulations, in addition to those al
ready made under act of January 26. 1887.
as they may deem necessary for the pro-
lection OF lives, limbs. health. comfort
and quiet of all persons and the protec-
tion Of all property within the District of
Columbia. This law. in my opinion, fur
nishes ample authority for police regu-
lation prohibiting the construction or
maintenance of the poles and bar re-
ferred TO. and for myself and many 9TH
ers who must ride in those cars l ear
nestly request that such a regulation be
promptly passed and vigorously on
forced.''
The letter will be referred to Corpora