The Washington herald., 1909-03-11
BOARD DISCUSSES
CROWDING OF CARS
Some Surprise Over District
Attorneys Office.
HAS FAILED TO PROSECUTE
Certain Data Transmitted to Him
Has Not Been UtiIIsed-Manageme
OvercrOyvding tn European Cities,
shown in Letters Received.

Surprise was expressed at the meeting
OF the District Electric railway commits
sion yesterday that the District Attorney
had failed 10 make use OF certain data
transmitted 10 him TO prosecute viola
tiOns Of the regulation prohibiting the
overcrowding Of street cars.
The commission remained IN session
FOR more than two hours. and devoted the
major part of the time 20 discussion OF
the crowded conditions that continue 10
prevail. despite the efforts OF the Inter
state Commerce Commission.
In a statement made public a. adjourn
ment, the Commissioners say that every
influence will be brought TO bear TO have
the cases already in the hands OF the
District Attorney brought before the
courts. While Il Is conservative IN tone.
the statement reveals a petulance on the
part OF the commission that IS not 20 be
considered lightly.
Significant Clause.
The final clause IN the paper reads
Several weeks have elapsed since the
District electric railway commission gave
the District attorney the data necessary
to institute proceedings
In connection with this discussion sew
e-al letters were considered, with a view
to framing more stringent regulations.
The communications were Transmitted by
the State Department. which had been
requested by the commission last Sep
tember 10 collect data bearing on over
crowded street cars IN Europe.
One Of the letters IS from Ulysses J.
Bywater. deputy consul general az Dres-
den. Germany. He informs the commits
sion that no passengers are allOwer 10
stand IN the interior or on the steps OF
cars In that city. Should a passenger en-
ter a tramway which Is already filed. the
conductor must request him 10 leave. and
in case the passenger objects 20 such
proceeding a policeman Is called. and the
Obstreperous person arrested.
Consul Bywater states this rule IS prac-
teal and that there Is no overcrowding
OF cars in Dresden.
According TO the letter OF Consul Joseph
L. Britain. at Prague. police assistance
Is always given conductors to prevent
Overcrowding Of cars. and should a con-
ductor allow his vehicle 20 carry more
persons than authorized by law ne is fined
20 cents for each violation.
In Prague. states the letter, standing
IN cars is prohibited. and only those per
sons who can ind seats are permitted tc
ride
The commission expects 70 receive more
information from foreign cities, and il is
probable a new regulation viii be drawn
up embodying the best principles OF rules
now in vogue in Europe
II. c. Eddy, secretary Of the commits
sion. was instructed 10 make an investi-
cation OF the operation and construction
Of the new "pay-as-yOu-enter' cars and
report at the next meeting.
Single Complaint Received.
The only complaint received yesterday
dealt with these new cars. and was
signed Victim" Tho letter read as fol-
lows:
The 'pay-as-you-enter' cars work badly
1 because the seats are not divided equally,
and Inere IS nobody to make the two
seat hogs move to make room. Much IL
| feeling.
Making passengers at rear end push
through standing crowds and leave by
front door renders both classes uncom-
Portable. and many are carried 4 square
beyond their destination. Regular patrons
already lodging new cars"
A letter was laid before the commission
from William Tindau secretary OF the
/ District Commissioners. stating that a
| policeman has been assigned 10 ride in
the Tennallytown cars on Saturday night
/ 10 prevent a repetition of the actions
complained OF by Mrs Alice Y Hunt.