The Washington herald., 1912-07-19

up early next week." said Mr.. schuldt.
Il have no desire at all to hurry the
attorneys for the defense. I am of the
opinion. however. that they will be ready
within a few days. Before the cases
| come up I shall hold a conferences with
Edward II. Thomas. corporation coun-
sci. We shall discuss the matter at
length and decide whether or not to
| recommend the infection of heavy PEN
allies"
1t is probable that the hearings will
cover considerable time, because Of the
large number Of charges. The charges
will be bitterly fought by the attorneys
for the companies. as a maximum fine
Of Sl.ooo may be imposed in each case.
II is generally thought that the cor
poraton counsel will recommend that
heavy fines be inflicted. This will be en-
tirely satisfactory to the railway COM
mission. as the members of that body
think that such procedure would warn
the companies to provide better service
in the future.
Keep Close Tab.
The commission is devoting much Of its
time to a study of overcrowded cars. H.
c. Eddy. secretary of the body. and his
assistant are engaged nearly every day
In counting passengers during the rush
hours OF the morning and evening. The
omcials station themselves at congested
points where the cars must necessarily
stop for a considerable time. and then
count the Passengers. A record of the
enumerations is kept and filed away at
the offices of the commission for ref
erence and study.
The seating capacity of each car Is
known, SO that the extent OF overcrowd-
ing may be ascerta.ned at q glance.
From consideration OF the figures
shown on these records, It 10 possible to
tell at what hours certain lines are
crowded. Observations Of conditions re-
Gently disclose the fact that practically
every car line in the city is overcrowded
during the morning and evening hours
when business men and women are
travelling to and from their places OF
employment.
Conditions on the Fourteenth Street
line of the Capital Traction Company
are probably the worst. despite the fact
that cars are operated on close head
ways. The trafic 10 exceedingly heavy.
The City and Suburban Railway Com
complaints are received concerning the
operation OF this line.
May Order More Cars.
The Commission. has the matter under
consideration and will probably issue
orders within a short time providing for
the operation OF more cars. II 10 con-
stantly issuing such orders. II the COM
panies fail TO comply with them they are
liable TO a fine OF sIOOO. Two such cases
are now pending in the Police Court.
They are both against the washington
Railway and Electric Company
~ IafN
ton Of cars in the District are numer-
Gus and varied. and IL Is consequently
believed that there are many violations
OF them which never come to the atten-
ton Of the Commission. The law pro-
vides that no motorman or conductor
shall refuse to stop to take up or let
on passenger at any street crossing
or other regular stopping place pro-
viso is attached to the regulation, how
ever, to the effect that after a blockade.
motormen or conductors need not neces-
sarily stop for passengers at every cross
ing adjacent to the point of blockade.
Trainmen are required to notice what
particular streets have been skipped by
the car In front of them SO that all
cars will not run past the same cross
ing. Cars must not be run past passen-
gers on account of being behind their
schedule. provides the law. unless anoth-
er car is following within two blocks In
every case where a car is run past pros
pective passengers. motormen are re-
CURED to request such persons to take
the following car.
Must Announce Crossings.
OF the law which provides that the con-
ductors of all street cars shall be re-
quired TO make announcements at each
At-t ot vl1f~ -
which one line crosses another. of the
street and connection which is there
made"
There Is also a regulation which requires
every car operated in the District to be
maintained in a clean and sanitary con-
dition. II is the concensus of opinion
that there are numerous violations OF
this law. especially on the City and
Suburban line.
All Washington is apparently aroused
over the railway situation as a result of
the information which has been fled in
the Police Court. The questions Of rail-
way conditions will be brought before
the Chamber of Commerce at its next
meeting by J. w. Hunt. one OF the
prominent members of the committee on
transportation of that body. Mr.. Hunt.
as well as many other members of the
committee and OF the Chamber. are OF
the opinion that the companies are op-
Grating an insufficient number Of cars
in the District.
To Ask Opinions.
There is no question but what the
railways cars of the city are over
crowded" said Mr.. Hunt yesterday after
noon. The need Of additional cars on
all Of the lines Is apparent This condi-
ton exists on the Mount Pleasant line
in particular. I have occasion to use
those cars, and II IL rarely that they are
not crowded. / intend to bring the mat
ter before the Chamber Of Commerce At
its next meeting, and to learn the opin-
ion of members Of the organization con-
corning washington's railway service"
Some complaints have been received to
the effect that cars on certain lines have
exceeded the speed limit The law re-
quires that they shall travel In the city
limits at a rate not in excess of fifteen
miles an hour, and In the suburban sec
lions at a speed not greater than twenty
miles an hour and in the suburban sec
the speed to six miles an hour in
intersecting streets.
Help to Police.
1t was suggested yesterday afternoon
by one Of the prominent business men
interested in thu street car situation that |