Evening star., 1913-02-24
Prosecution to Start.

Immediate prosecution of the two rail-
way companies will be ordered. it was
announced off1cially at the District
building this afternoon, upon the filing
of an affidavit by any reputable citi-
zen to the effect that the companies
nave failed to enter into reciprocal re-
lations with the herdic line respecting
the issuance of transfers.
The Commissioners have been apprised
informally of the failure OF the street
car companies to comply with the pro-
vision Of the law requiring the exchange
Of transfers. but it is understood that
they Will not act in the matter until
they have been presented with formal
complaint.
The law which Congress adopted six
months ago for the improvement of the
18th street herdic service and which, in
addition 10 other things. confers upon
the Commissioners of the District Of Co.
iumbia authority to regulate the rates.
time schedule and quality of service main-
tanned by the Metropolitan Coach Com
pany. went into effect today.
Schedule Followed.
at 6 am. and. despite the unfavorable
weather, the time schedule. as approved
by the Commissioners. was followed prac-
tically without variation. The early
morning service is on a ten-minute head
way, but this is reduced to five minutes
as the business rush begins. The latter
headway is maintained throughout the
greater part OF the day.
As the passengers left the cars at 18th
street and New York avenaie they were
met by the company's transfer man. The
transfers are the same i'm size and general
design as those now used on the lines of
hQ Sf cOmn2niPS
passengers asked for transfers and one
Of them returned later with the COM
plainESthat 1t had been refused by the
Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany.
Exchange Required.
Under the law passed by Congress. the
Capital Traction and Washington Rail-
way and Electric companies are required
to exchange transfers with the herdic
company only at 10Th street and Penn
sylvania and New York avenues. Presi-
dent s. Dana Lincoln Of the Metropolitan
Coach Company notified the railway COM
pany heads that the law was to become
effective today and submitted samples OF
transfers which he proposed to issue.
Replies were received by Mr.. Lincoln
from George E.. Hamilton, president of
the Capital Traction Company. and c. T.
King, president of the Washington Rail-
and Electric company, Stdtule tudt
they regarded the law, in 80 far as it af-
Sects their companies in the mater of is
suing transfers, to be unconstitutional.
Officials Criticised.
Both President Hamilton and Presi-
dent King have developed very fine
sense of discrimination as to the constitu-
tionality of the laws passed by Congress,
stated Mr.. Lincoln. i don't remember
that either OF these gentlemen ever
claimed that the numerous laws passed by
Congress giving their companies tine free
right to extend their lines geg the streets
that belong to the public were unconsti-
tutional But when Congress passes "a law
giving the public certain privileges they
at once declare the law is unconstitu-
tional"
The SIX new cars put III service by the
nerdic company today are roomy. Well
ventilated and of the .pay-within' type.
They are capable Of carrying sixteen pas
sengers each, seats being arranged in
transverse order. In. reaching Pennsyl-
vania avenue, the herdics proceed from
L street down 10th to Massachusetts ave
nue.. along Massa achusetts avenue to 18th
street and thence to Pennsylvania avenue.
In returning the cars go west on Penn
sylvania avenue to Madison place. north
on Madison place to II street, east on II
street to 10Th street. north on 18th street
to Maesa chusetts avenue, west on Mas
sachusetts avenue to 18th street and north
on 10th street to l street.