Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-12-28
COMMUTERS MEETING.
Commuters Prolectiys Association
OF Alexsndris and Washington
Alexandra, We. Dc, 81. 1909.

| To the Editor Ct the AiexaI dria Gazette:
| Within a short time, it is announced, the
| cd Commuters' Protective Ass; cistioa. tom-
posed Of passengers who travel over the Wssh-
ington, Alexandra and Mount Vernon rail-
way, will be revived. Those inters'ed in the
movement say that m, eIing will be called
toon' The purpose OF reviving the associa-
ton, 1t is STATED, is to get the railway COM
paDy TO maintain its schedule and TO SEE that
| the cars are kept clean and better heated
during the winter months. Ii Is the intention
! OF the association to take the matter up With
tie District of Columbia electric railway
commission and also with the state corpora.
ton commission.
After reading the above, December
22nd, l believe that 1t is up to ms, as
secretary of the Commuters, Association,
to say that this sounds wrong to ne.
as the Commuters, Association is in
excellent condition at The present cate
and we'll able to cope with any conditions
that might happen to arise.
do not know the author OF The az owe
but feel sure that be, or she, cannot be-
long to the association, as bylaws say
that all complaints must be made to the
secretary in writing, giving particulars,
With correct dates etc, go that the matter
can be banded by the executive com.
mitlee. have not received one word Of
of complaint from member OF tbs as
socistion 10 writing, and am therefore
surprised at the comments 10 the several
papers OF this city and Washington. L
have heard Que or two people remark
that the cara we're very dirty, and that
on some dates they had been late To-.
dinner etc., told each Of them 10 give,
me day and dates la writing with alE
particulars aud would give the matter
prompt attention. None OF them to this
date has thought the csss serious enough
to pnt themselves to this trouble.
Now 1t IL the desire Of this association
to be perfectly fair With the electric
railway, and to assist them 10 every
way to give good service. We do not
Intend to get ont the "hammp,".
and 90 10 knO .ta.
really hsppens. aara
lots OF good 10 Pee. jon ..s
believe that we ecu uauuiu uur uuslu.sa
without advertising our troubles to the
world; when We have something coed.
We will be quick and glad 20 let every
one btar OF 1t through the papers. Wesrs
sometimes too quick to cay nssty things
about the old railroad company, when
II we would think twice bef0re we sptak
and then talk to ourselves for awbI,e.
We could see that II wss really some iiile
boss, that could be easily reached 10 the
proper way without damage to auy one.
AS TO the dirty condition OF the cars.
do think that something should DO
done to make them more SANITARY"
l have personally wstched their condI-
ton for several weeks; the floors srs
full oil bulls, tobacco spit, cigarette
stump', cigar stursps. etc.
Bat lets talk 10 ourselves for a mo-
msnt Is it the company that does these
thug? No, 1t Is douo by some OF our
own people, and some who would want 10
know that they were perfect gentle
man. We have men from some Of the
stations who forget how hard il was To-
get that last dress for their wife, or
daughter, who will take reats 10 the
ladies' car when they have on overslls
that are snythiog bat clean, We have
men hat will leave seats vacant 10 The rsr
car and ali but climb over their friends,
sister or wife to get 10 the front car
ahead Of them. Nov is this righ Look-
iOg q! 1t from every poIut of view, do
they do so Al home, and would they really
like TO see others do likewIse.2
We have about sixty.6ve trains each
way per day between this city and Wssh-
lngtop, which would seem fair number.
compared with very short time ago.
Nov let's take this matter ess5. If
you have any grievance pat 1t IN wrl'-
ing and send 1t 10 the secrelsr3 OF the
association. He will put 1t before the
proper officials aud notify you in due
tine OF their soIion. II 1t Is necessary
the executive committee will call meet
ing Of the association and you will see
them swarm out like BEES in July.
Mr.. Percy Gift has oeen very Dice to
us since be has been superintendent, and
1t has not been necessary to go over bis
head In single instance, l do not think
that we will have to do 80 at this lime.
II might be well for us to look around
aud see what other city has better
suburban road than ours; End how they
get 1t, and be ready to give the facts 10
the association when they meet.
o. p. ANGELO,