The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-02-11
west IS CHAIRMAN
OFRAILWAY BOARD
Gen. John II. Wilson Hands
in Resignation.
ACTION COMES AS SURPRISE
Army Officer Declares Other Bush
ness Interferes with His Duties as
Member OF CommfssiOn - District
Commissioner P-esides at Meeting
Number of Complaints Received.

Gen John II Wilson. [. 5. A, retired.
banded In MS resignation as chairman Of
tho District railway commission several
days ago, and az the meeting yesterday
announced that Commissioner Lena OF
the Interstate Commerce Commission,
had notified him OF its acceptance.
Commissioner Henry L. West wss elect
cd chairman to fiji the vacancy caused by
Gen. Wilson's retirement He presided al
the meeting OF the board yesterday
The reason given the members by Cen
Wilson. in q short speech made yesterday
afternoon, was that his army duties we're
interfered with BY his service on the
board. and he found it more convenient
70 withdraw from the commission than
10 allow other interests to suffer.
Came as Surprise.
The announcement OF the resignation
came as a distinct surprise 10 the mem
bers, Secretary Eddy not even being cog
infant OF the action taken by the chair
man. Those in close touch with the az
fairs Of the board say that Commissioner
Vests election or selection 70 the chair
manship VIII probably accelerate the
work OF the body IN District matters
Gen. Wilson could not be reached last
night, and no statement Of his reasons
FOR resigning were obtained.
4 number Of complaints were read at
the meeting Of the board yesterday. A
resident OF Columbia Heights wrote ex-
tensively, complaining OF the oongested
condition Of the Metropolitan Railway
terminus 81 Mount Pleasant street and
Park road, between the hours OF ard s
O'Clock He said at that tine as many
as six and eight cars are often lined up
on the tracks. forcing passengers 70 walk
from the end Of the line for more than
a block 10 get cars going downtown
In inclemeBt weather. said the writer,
this was quite a hardship 10 women The
commission ordered Secretary Eddy TO
make an Investigation and report to the
board az his earliest convenience
A letter calling attention 10 the fact
that conductors rarely call out the streets
passed was read Being unsigned, nc sc-
ton was taken
"Stage Coach" Line.
The Capital Traction Company was al
luded 10 as a stage coach line by one
writer, who said the new pay-as-you-enter
cars to be installed by the company are
not equipped with air brakes. He asked
that the regulation ordering all cars In
stalled in the District after January 7,
1903. be equipped with air brakes be en-
forced. An answer was sent him In
which the commission stated steps would
be taken 10 enforce the rule should il be
violated The board will wait until the
cars are placed in commission before TAX
ing action.
Secretary Eddy reported that he had
Investigated a complaint against the
scarcity OF straps on many OF the City
and Suburban car lines and found that
as an average, thirty straps were placed
in each car, to his judgment, sufficient.
Conduct of Passengers.
The conduct Of passengers on late cars
on the Tennallytown line. subject OF
some days ago. was reported
on by the secretary He advocated turn
ing the matter over 10 the police depart
ment. through the District Commission
ers. His recommendation was approved
by the board.
Mr. Eddy reported that should the reg
ulation under consideration by the In
terstate Commission to make all street
cars carry large signs stating their des-
tinaiion, be adopted, he believed It vel to
have all cars OF uniform color
Several other complaints were laid over
until the next meeting.