Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-13
BAN ON CROWDED CAR
Sufficient Service Directed by
Interstate Commission.
SPECIFIC ORDERS ISSUED
Require Lines to Run With Certain
Frequency During Rush Hours.
PROSECUTION IS UP TO GIVEN
Complaints Forwarded for Test in
Police Court-Great Number. and
Some May Be Flagrant.

Il have Just received for investigation
from Attorney Baker today large num-
her of interstate commerce commission
ca ses which involve the overcrONding of
Washington street cars" said Assista ant
Attorney Ralph Given at the Police Court
this morning.
we will begin work OH them imme
diately," Mr.. Given continued How long
a time will he necessary TO conclude the
Investigations is too much for me to say.
AT this time DO not feel at liberty to
discuss the matter at length, except to
say there is a great number of cases. A
few may turn out to be fragrant viola
tions
The results of the investigation will he
reported to Mr. Baker before anytN.~s
further is done"
Police Court Gases.
Since the regulations promulgated by
he interstate commerce commission went
INTO effect last summer a large number of
cases have been disposed of in Police
Court. probably scventy-five in all. in
whil Il there were not more than three or
four acquittals These cases were what
j. known as speed violations" and were
The result of complaints against indvid-
nal motOrmen who ran their cars beyond
the limit.
The average penalty imposed was $40,
which took the form, in number of in
stances. of collateral forfeitures.
The penalty provided by the regulations
for any street car company convicted of
overcrowding cars Is a fine not exceed
ing 81 900. No minimum amount is fixed
The same section of the act of May.
1905. also provides that a failure to
remedy conditions complained of after
prosecution is instituted. may be classed
as a second or third offense and prose
Cuted as such.
Specific Orders Issued.
Tho Interstate commerce commission
a its session of February Q PASSED or
ders specifically requiring that on and
after April L. 1909, a sufficient number
nf cars. with a minimum seating ca
pacity, shall be run over certain street
railway lines during rush hours; that
the company responsible shall not escape
through, technfcality. the orders were
repeated to companies which lease. oper-
ate or control lines known by a different
name.
The regulations were made public this
morning by direction of Commissioner
Lane. They are designed to bring the
''overcrowding problem to a focus for
handling in the courts.
The orders affecting the Anacostia and
Potomac River Railroad Company re
quire the operation on what Is known as
11th street line, between 11th and Mon
roe streets and 9th and + streets north
west, of a sufficient number of north
bound cars. seating not less than thirty
four adults with a headway or interval
between each of not more than three and
three-quarter minutes. during the period
from 40 pm. to $50 pm, and of a suf-
ficient number of ears Southbound be-
tween the same points, and having the
same seating capacity, with a headway
Of not more than two and three-quarter
minutes between each, between the hours
of 1:}n and = O'Clock am, both daily. ex-
cept Sunday and holidays. The Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company has
received similar orders.