The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-06-27
Thomas w. Smith Says Body
Has Jurisdiction and Will
Hear Complaints.
READY TO BEGIN
AN INVESTIGATION
Passengers on Fourteenth Street
Line Continue to Swelter and
Hang on Straps.

IF complaint Is made and II is shown
that the operation of closed cars on
the Fourteenth street, or any other
line, is resulting in crowding and gem
eral discomfort to passengers, the
electric railway comission can take
action" said Thomas W. Smith, a
member of the railway commission. to-
day when Il representative OF The
Times called his attention TO the fact
that despite the hot weather. several
car lines Of the Capital are persisting
in operating the closed ''pay-as-you-en-
ter cars that were used during the
winter
I do not know" continued Mr.. Smith,
that we have the authority to order
the street railways to operate a par
ticular kind Of car. We certainly do
have Jurisdiction over the matter of
comfort Of passengers, however. II.
as stated, the operation of closed cars
is resulting in discomfort. the commits
sion will take that matter up as soon
as formal complaints are registered by
those thus Inconvenience"
To Prevent 0vercrowding-
AIr- Smith added that. in view Of re-
cent court decision. the commission IS
now at work upon system 10 prevent
the overcrowdinE of cars in either win
ter or summer. 1t viii be recalled that
the orders OF The commission in this re-
spect were temporarily halted. The
courts demanded that specific instances
should De treated and that the commits
sion should designate the permitted ca
pacity Of the various types OF cars in
use IL Washington.
According 10 Commissioner Smith. the
enufe matter hinges upCn the matter
Of passenger comfort The commission
holds itself an readiness TO safeguard
that AT all times. il but awaits dennite
and concerted complaint that closed
cars are not adequate for mld-sUmmer
demands
That these complaints VIII be forth
coming may be taken for granted. con-
Elcerlng the growing spirit of discou-
tent among those VINO are compelled to
cars operated on the Fourteenth street.
New York avenue. the Aracostia line.
and tntermIttingly on the q street and
Mount Pleasant lines.
A Persistent Violator.
Times representative again noted
loday on the Fourteenth street system
lhe most persistent offender because no
open cars whatever are in use aIOnS
this thickly-peopled thoroughfare-that
kalr OF the passengers during the rush
hours are forced TO stand. The front
lows open but halfway down The car
tides; ana the strap-hanSers, especially.
swelter above the little air that is al
fordeG.
Secretary Eddy OF the District Rail-
way Commission, has personally noted
the use Of the closed cars on the various
lines. He declares himself 20 be in SYM
pathy, in the main, with the protesting
ones.
The problem, however, he suggests.
viii be difficult 10 solve, in view Of the
contention Of the street car companies
that they cannot afford 20 allow winter
rolling stock 70 remain completely Idle
during the summer
A Suggested Improvement.
Asked if there existed any reason why
the companies should provide some lines
with all open cars and other lines with
al closed cars, Secretary Eddy admitted
that the general public would be better
cared Tor if there came along occasion
ally an open car on the lines where now
the passengers are compelled 10 ride
boxed in-Or walk
In the meantime the rising thermOme-
ter Is being run a close race BY rising
public Indignation and the cIosed-car
sufferers are preparing 10 protest in
Earnest unless conditions speedy change.