The Washington times., 1912-02-08
MANY WOMEN GIVE
VOICE TO PLEA FOR
LOWER CAR STEPS
Club and Organization Lead
ers Tell Commission Of
Present Dangers.

= Seveilty-fve women, crowded into a
room scarcely big enough to accomnno-
date half the number, sacrificed per-
sonal comfort and feminine dignity for
an hour yesterday afternoon In the
hearing room of the District Electric
Commission, while their leaders told of
the Inconvenience suffered by them
and the dangers to which they are daily
exposed by reason of the high steps on
Washington street cars.
These women came from all sections
OF the city. They represented clubs
and civic organizations, and had among
them not only the District president OF
the w. c. T. u, the president of the
Century Club, and the head of the
Federated Clubs of the city, but the
president of the Woman's Suffrage or
Sanization in Washington as well
In fact, Washingtons leader Of the
suffrage movement, Mrs. LIE Droit Bar
Der, was the only one called upon to
speak who was too timid to express
herself. She kept her seat, and blush
ingly whispered that she Endorsed the
movement.
Mrs. Browne Talks.
There were others present, however,
beth Browne, who is one of the leaders
in the movement, presented a splendid
argument in behalf of the reforms
sought. Mrs. Browne said the average
height of the steps on Washington cars
Is from sixteen to eighteen inches, and
declared the steps should not be more
than twelve inches high. She read a
number of letters and presented petit
lions containing some 5000 or 5000
names
Miss Browne was followed by Mrs.
Emma Sanford Shelton, president of
the w. c. T. U. in Washington, and
others who spoke were Mrs. w. E.
Andrews. president of the Federation
Of Womens Clubs, who asked for re-
lief In the name OF 5000 women of
Washington.
Mrs; Guy Miller, president of the
hardships of the high steps upon wom-
en- and children.
II speak as the mother of seven chill
dren," she said. 1T Is not the hobble
skirt women who are asking for this
reform: the woman in the hobble skirt
usually rides in an automobile"
DR.. A. Frances Foye told of the many
injuries that are due to high steps. ~
could state any number of cases. she
said
Are these cases that you have per.
sonal knowledge OFF, inquired Com
missioner Henry l.. West, who with
Commissioner Thomas Smith, was hear.
ing the complaints.
Eyes, they are" she answered. 81
have one case Of a floating liver that
I could tell YOU about"
We'll, we'll take your word for it,
hastily answered the commissioner.
Hear Hamilton.
( All the women turned in their seats
and craned their necks when George f.
Hamilton, president of the Capital Trac-
ton Company, arose to speak in the
rear Of the room. He was present be-
cause he had been subpoenead, and he
e.. didn't appear to be at all pleased about
ii.
IT believe the Capital Traction Com
pany Is living up to the rules and regu
lations of the Interstate Commerce
Commission" said Mr.. Hamilton. 1--WE
comply with the law"
Would it be feasible to lower thu
steps on your cars to twelve inches?'
asked Commissioner West.
1T would not be feasible on the pres
ent type of cars" he answered. IT
would mean a great expense"
and sarcastic remarks from the WON
en-, and 1t was necessary for the chair
man to rap for order. President Ham
ilton hurriedly left the room as sooi
president OF the Washington Railway
and Electric Company. got anothe
laugh out of the women when he ex
planned that If the steps were lowered
many people would stumble over them
and the complaints would be just a!
many.
The evidence heard yesterday will b.
submitted to the Interstate Commerce
Commission, and it is to that body
that the protestants must look for &