The Washington times., 1913-11-08
AS TO BEING REASONABLE.

/ valued correspondent addresses The Times
some views on the street situation, and incident
ally chides us for what he esteems unreasonab1eness
in our attitude toward the problem He points out
that congestion on the car lines is not much the
fault of the car companies as of Congress, which
fAes their routes
That is true; but the matter has presented it
self to The Times the public which rides on the
cars is vastly more concerned ito get matters reme-
died than to find out who is to blame The Times
has not found fault with the car companies for their
separate existences. 1t doesn't even blame them for
trying to get as much business they can by the
process of competing for the business where it is.to
be found.
We have merely pointed out what is nowadays
accepted automatic that street competition is
Unnatural and illogical 1t Injuries facilities rather
than improving them. 1t discommodes the public,
rather than serving it, 1t inevitably makes expenses,
and, therefore, fares, higher, instead of lower.
Our correspondent contributes some excellent
practical suggestions to what needed to improve
the situation in the congested district:
The Capital Traction Company, if permitted, would
it's Fourteenth street directly north that
street from Pennsylvania avenue. if that plan is OBJ
the company would its Fourteenth
cars south from Thomas circle by of Vermont
and Fifteenth street The latter plan would relieve
New York avenue and street. Neither plan be
put into effect, however, without the consent of Con-
gress unless it is within the of the Utilities Com
mission Although nobody except possibly the railroad
stockholders will object reduction of fare sys
of universal transfers. pressing needs
the opinion of travellers, east and west
south lines in East Washington BY the way what has
become of the plan of the Washington Railway and
Electric Company to extend its lines from Fifteenth and
streets northeast to East Capitol street by Of
Fifteenth street east
When our correspondent talks about the need of
cross-town lines, eastand-west in the northern and
southern sections of the city, he is getting right down
to the point that must be kept in mind at every
sideration of street affairs The time is at hand
when this town will suddenly realize that it has out
grown its street car facilities. Every other city
makes that discovery when it is somewhere between
100000 to 100000 in population scheme laid out
with reference to the needs of small city may be
ideal until it is outgrown After that, no argument
can stand against the needs of the people.
There is need, as our correspondent says of some
new mileage in different parts of town. But that new
mileage ought to be built with reference to future
and permanent single, unified system. 1t ought not
to be built as an incident to competitive disrbu-
ton of territory between two companies There
should not be any such distribution.
Every year that the city goes on developing COM
peting car systems it will be adding to the cost and
difficulty of that ultimate physical unfcaton which
must come whether there shall shall not be uni
fcation of corporate ownership.
The Public Utilities Commission could make no
better move at this juncture than to have expert
traction engineer survey the whole situation in Wash
ington and point out what is needed and how to
oct II