The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-07-10
CLOSED CARS CUT
SUNDAY OUTINGS
Sweltering MultitudeS Pre-
fer Home Heat to the
Traction Smother.

No better illustration Of the unpopu-
larity OF the closed street cars being
operatNd by the Washington Railway
and Electric Company and the Capital
Traction Company could be furnished
than on this very hot. uncomfortable
dsy Of rest
Thousands Of people throughout the
city were sweiterinz and longing IoT an
opportunity 10 get a breath Of tTeSn AT
and 10 feel a cool breeze II IS no eN-
aESeration TO say that II the two street
car companies had put every aValiSoie
open car on their lines they would have
been crowded from early IN the morn
ing until late al night
since the companies showed no dis
position to cater go the desires Of their
patrons and continued 10 operate closed
cars rhev missed an excellent OpporJun-
ity to reap a hsrE est
Lines which are known TO be wei sup
pTied with open cars were wei patroniz-
ed throughout the day This was par
tfcuIarIy. true IN. the case Of the George
town line Of the Washington Railway
COMPANY
On the other hand il was observed
that traffic on the Mt Pleasant line Of
the same company wss especially light
Menace to Suburbs.
The Times has heretofore pointed out
that the discomfort Of the suburban res
idsnts with The transportation facilities
Afforded them was so widespread that
1t was certain 20 be a serious menace
10 the growth and development of the
city
= large number Of letters have been
received from suburban residents who
announce their intention Of moving back
into the city unless they are given
better street car service This Is but
one phase Of the injury being done in
the operation Of uncomfortable street
cars. Among the letters received this
morning was one from 3 prominent mer-
chant in which protest against the
closed car is not only voiced. but the
assertion is made that the operation
Of 1fs closed cars is injUrinE business
The ladies viii not come down town
except when necessary, declares this
merchant We notice the loss in OUT
establishment
Evil Far Reaching.
Threats Of suburban residents to
move back into the city and financial
loss TO the merchants By reason OF the
UnwiIlingness OF women to ride n
closed and uncomfortable street cars in
diCate very clearly that the question
OF whether open or closed cars shall
Be operated has ramificari0ns far be-
yond the basic principle Of whether the
companies should put out ali 0f their
open cars
There Is a possibility that some light
on the power or the District Railway
Commission 10 make regulations COM
polling the street car companies 10
operate their open cars viii be forth
coming next Tuesday
The Interstate Commerce Commission
vii meet on that DAY Secretary Eddy,
Of the Railway Commission. VIII for
maily present the commission with his
report on the street car situation. which
mission, with an accompanying letter
mission whether the District Railway
Commission has the power 10 force the
street car companies n operate their
open cars.
May Not Be Settled
There appears 10 be some doubt. how
ever, whether the vexed question will be
settled next Tuesday It Is understood
that the commission VIII have before il
on that day the question Of increased
freight rates throughout the country
and for tEar reason may not he able
10 take up the subject of so much in
terest In the District In that event
Il is hardly likely that the commission
VIII render an opinion for al least :
fortnight