The Washington herald., 1912-07-23

Jury Trials May 30 Demanded
by Traction Companies in
/, Prosecutions.
POLICE SUPERVISION URGED
Maj. Sylvester Would HIVE Blue
coats Put In Charge Of
All Traffic.

A delay in the prosecution of the sew
enteen cases filed in Police Court against
| the District street railway companies
for violation Of the law is threatened by
rumors circulated yesterday afternoon to
the effect that jury trials will be de-
manded by counsel for the defendant cor
porations when the cases are called up
, this week.
Assistant Corporation Counsel Gus A.
Schuldt who is in general charge OF tine
prosecutions. stated last night that the
cases will probably come up tomorrow
hor Thursday, although there is possi-
bilty that they will be called this morn
| ing As soon as the cases are called IL
| is understood that attorneys Tor the COM
panies will ask for trials by jury rms
| will temporarily end the litigation. The
delay will be for weeks and propaoiy
months.
Large Crowds Expected.
II is expected that when the cases are
finally heard the court room VIII De
crowded All Washington is interested
in the outcome of the prosecution Rep-
resentatiyes of the District Electric Rail-
way Commission, many prominent mem
bers of the local bar, and officials OF citl-
zens' associations in all sections OF the
city are deeply interested in the cases.
Il
the railway companies will night each OF
the charges with all their strength.
II has been tacitly admitted that an
Investigation OF the street railway accl-
dent, which occurred last Friday evening
at Ninth and u Streets Northwest, caus-
ing the death of one person and the IN
Jury OF two others, is now being made by
the once of the United States Attorney.
AS announced yesterday morning IN
The Washington Herald. Reginald s.
Huidekoper and Ralph Given, assistant
United States attorneys, held CONFER
ence Sunday for the purpose OF discuss
ing the advisability of holding an invesu-
CATION They declined to divulge the re-
suit Of their meeting. When Questioned
concerning the matter yesterday AFTER
noon. Mr.. Given said that Mr.. Huide-
koner was in general charge of the prop
osition.
In reply to a query as to whether an
Investigation was actually being held.
Mr. Huidekoper said:
II am not authorized to state whether
or not action is being taken with respect
TO the recent railway accident. VIII
say, however. that this office makes II
a point to Investigate all accidents which
seem to be out OF the general categories.
even though the coroner's jury should
not recommend that action be taken L
do not desire TO cast reflection upon the
verdict Of the jury in the case OF the
recent railway accident; l merely want
to make plain the policy of this office-
II is impossible for me to say more at
this time in connection with the matter.
Whenever Investigations are conducted
details are kept secret until final reports
have been submitted to the United states
attorney by the assistants assigned to
the case"
II. c. Eddy, secretary of the District
Electric Railway Commission. has pre-
pared a report On the fatal collision,
which he will submit to the commission
at its meeting this afternoon at O'Clock
in the Glover Building. 1t is not be-
lieved that any drastic recommendations
are included in the report.
The report states that the Capital
Traction Company car was being operat-
ed at the time OF the accident in viola
ton of the regulation which provides
that no street car company shall permit
passengers on the running boards while
cars are in motion. 1t was because Of
this violation that a passenger was
killed and two were seriously injured.
1t is understood that Mr.. Eddy will not
recommend the filing of an information
against the company for this violation,
because of the fact that several type
charges covering the point of occupancy
of running boards have already been
lodged against the railways in the Police
Court.
To Discuss Crowded Cars.
It is expected that crowded conditions
Of cars will be discussed at the meeting
this afternoon. 1t is possible that action
respecting this situation will be taken.
For some time the question of revising
the regulations governing the operation
Of railway cars has been under contem-
plation, and consideration may be given
the proposition.
Chairman John II. Marble, of the Dis
trict Electric Railway Commission, yes
terday declared that a thorough inves-
tigation into the accident Of last Friday
will be instituted to-day.
Chairman Marble. while unable to pre-
dict what action will follow the findings
of the commission, believes it likely that
the commission will order the street rail-
way companies to station starters at all
congested street railway intersections.
such as those at Ninth and u Streets
and Florida Avenue and Seventh Street.
He intimated that proceedings may be
instituted to compel the traction, CON-
panies to enforce the rule prohibiting
passengers from standing on the run
ming boards.
Urges Police Supervision.
Mai l,ichard Sylvester, superintendent
of police, believes that the solution of
the street railway problem lies in the
placing Of all traffic under the control
Of the police force Of the city.
This is the only city in the coun-
try" said the major yesterday, where
the police have not the authority to reg
ulate the street car traffic. Just few
days ago i had complaint from a citi-
zen against an officer of the Eighth pre-
cinct for telling the man to get on the
running board of a car. The complainant
said in his letter that the officer had
no right TO tell him where or how he
was TO ride.
The sad feature is that this citizen
was right The policeman did not have
the authority to tell him to get of the
running board or to see that he did so.
The officer was, however, in my judg-
ment, doing his best to guard the lives
mas