Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-29
RELIEF EXPECTED IN
"STAGGER' SYSTEM
Officials May Avert Street Car
Congestion by Shifting
Employees Hours.
PLAN TO BE GIVEN TRY0UT

Early relief from the now almost IN
tolerable conditions of street car con-
gestion in Washington is looked for as
a result of cooperative efforts being
made by officials Of the street car COM
panies, the public utilities commission
and federal departments and commits
sions to find a solution of the problem.
That the SO called 'stagger" system.
by which government departments
would open and close at different hours.
thereby relieving the demand made
during the rush hours. will be adopted.
| appeared probable today.
John H. Hanna, vice president Of the
| Capital Traction Company, has FORM
ally recommended this plan to the
Council OF National Defense. it is
learned. Commissioner Brownlow has
discussed the same scheme with Direc.
tor Clifford of the Council Of National
Defense, and Clarence P. King. presi..
dent of the Washington Railway and
Electric Company. has been an advo-
cate of 1t ever since congestion on the
traction lines became serious.
Representatives OF government de-
officials OF the public utilities commits
sion the question of a change In the
hour for the opening of the several de-
partments.
|
ately relieving congestion has been
made and as there Is unanimity OF
opinion among public utility and gov
| eminent officials that the traction stu
alton must improve If war work is to
| be prosecuted effectively. 1t is regard
| ed as almost certainty that the
| staggered" plan will be given a try
out.
| Commissioner Brownlow said today
that the commission is studying the
! lot nd
| will be taken just as soon as 1t Is ap-
parent what is the most practical plan
that can be put into operation.
Valuation Hearings Next Month.
The utilities commission, OF which
Mr.. Brownlow is chairman, Is getting
| ready to resume valuation work. which
| was halted last summer when the Com
missioners began work on the annual
estimates and took up other important
matters that were pressing for atten'
| ton.
It has announced q hearing Decembsa
10 for the Chesapeake and Potomac Tele.
phone Company and another. December
II. for the Capital Traction Company
The telephone concern has asked TO,
| re-opening Of its case in order thai
additional testimony may be submitted
relative to the question Of depreeia,
Of the commission's valuation work
and Charles L. Pillsbury, chief engineer
of the valuation bureau, will testify
during the proceedings, which are ex.
pected to consume at least two days
The Capital Traction Company, Decem.
Der II, will submit its oral argumen,
| relative to the valuation, after which
its case will go to the commission fol
| final determination.
With these utilities out Of the way
the commission, probably not before
February l, will take up the case OF
| the Washington Railway and Electri,
Company. the last Of the local publ,
service corporations in Washington t.
| have its property oficially valued b.
the commission. Considerable testimon,
has been given in this case ALREADY
but the commission has not concluded
| the presentation of it's case and none
of the witnesses of the railway concern
| have been heard. 1t Is anticipated the
proceedings may consume two month.
or more.