The Washington herald., 1909-02-08

According to the people who I've along
the line Of the Washington. Arlington and
Fails Church Railway. a condition Dor
derlnz on terror has been reached.
The story goes that passengers on the
.sst car. which leaves washington shortly
after the hour Of midnight. are terrorized
w band Of rufians whose frightful
epithets are now and then accompanied
hy the discharge Of Tevolvers. hurllng OF
socks through the car windows. and an
incessant flow OF vile words. emphasized
- oaths.
IS q result Of complaints and a report
u conditions on the line TO the District
-ailway commission. a reporter Of The
Washington Herald vas assigned to make
he trip on the last car that left the
aennsylvauia avenue station On Satur-
cay night.
Although the seating capacity OF the
ar affords accommodations for about ffty
persons. the car on this trip was crowd
ID with 100 men. women. and children.
III ventilation was cut Of, as a result
K which the air in the coach soon be
ame heavy with an atmosphere capable
+ propagatng almost any germ a per
son might wish 10 see thrive.
They smoke and Chew.
A cloud OF tobacco smoke grew thicker
nd thicker until the lights we're dimmed.
I'D the already foul air became blue.
.'egroes pulled at pipes which contained
cheap grade OF tobacco. and those
no did not smoke chewed the weed.
There were no cuspidors on the car. and
ne result may be easily imagined.
When the conductors attention vas
relled 20 the rule prohibiting the use OF
gars. cigarettes, or pipes in closed cars.
g said i was not his fault He asserted
had no control over the crowds that
aetroaize the line on Saturday nights
It's little better tonight than usual. %
se said.
4 wouldn't think OF bringing my wife
2 sister home with q crowd Ike this %
Ind personal observation disclosed that
he conductors sense Of right was not at
-ault
Feur miles from Washington several
negroes were taken iii as result OF too
much liquor.
Bad for Women and Children.
Al a little station beyond Clarendon
negroes and white hoodlms left the car.
md as they passed out women and chill
iren were compelled TO listen 10 deErad-
1g remarks cursing, and low sonss. AT
me point in the journey. passengers were
entertained by two negroes in 4 hnck and
wing dance at the front end the car
fhe eating OF peanuts was INDUCED IN
With appedtes that seemed almost vicious
At the village Of Clarendon. fosa miles
mis- side Of Falls Church, a fght was
started on the station platform. Two
- the beIligerents we're negroes and
ne third a white man. Shouting at the
fep q their voices. the three men board
sd the car Blackiacls aad -evolvers
we're drawn, but were not used. Dep
uty sherifs chanced 10 be on the car
and Fortunately we're recognized by the
f0w6ies. which accounted for the quick
disappearance OF the weapons
Owing 10 the intoxicated condition OF
several passengers. the conductor oblig-
ingly searched their pockets for the fares.
FaEnt on the NtEs
Several weeks ago a fight occurred on
he car which makes the last trip
from Washington 10 Fairfax Court House.
Nearly 100 persons were returning home.
Many we're women and children Near
Clark's Station several men drew revol-
vers. The conductor ordered them or.
and they left the car AZ Clark's station.
Hardly had the conductor given the mot
orman the signal to 60 ahead. when re-
ports OF revOivers on the outside were
heard. Rocks were thrown. and one.
Weighing nearly two pounds. Just missed
the heads OF a man and woman on the
rear platform. The offenders were ar
rested and tried before a justice in
Queens City. but they were discharged
on some technicaiity of the law.
Officials Notified.
Officials Of the road have been notified
regarding the state Of affairs, but for
some reason they have made no effort
% correct the evil Citizens along the
line. however. are TO take drastic steps
Immediately for the protection OF them
selves and their wives and children.