Evening star., 1917-03-13
ASKS BETTER SERVICE
ON STREET CAR LINES
Association Directs Attention to Con-
gestion at Columbia Line
Terminus.

Several matters pertaining to street
railways were discussed at a meeting
Of Northeast Washington Citizens AS
ISOLATION. held last night in North
east Temple. Evan II. Tucker. presi :
dent being in the chair. and Roscoe
Jenkins serving as secretary. Mr.. Jen-
lxins. chairman of the committee on
public utilities. called attention to the
frequent congestion of cars near the
western terminus of the Columbia line.
which, he stated. causes delay and in
convenience. He said the trouble could
be remedied by extending the line over
the tracks of the Capital Traction
along Pennsylvania avenue to 18th
street
BY such an extension. Mr.. Jenkins
stated, loop might be made for the
return Of the cars which would elimi-
Aate the method of switching back at
10th street and causing the congestion.
In addition to remedyinE the annoy
Hnce, he stated, it would be the means
OF enabling the company to carry pas
4engers to the State, War and Navy
building.
Opposes Increase il Rate of Fare.
Mr.. Jenkins also directed attention to
what he said was an effort on the part
of the Washington Railway and Elec-
tr!c Company to have a straight five
cant fare provided in place of the
present arrangements of selling six
kar tickets. He introduced resolution
6rovtding: That the association de-
Srecates the efforts of the Washing
ton Railway and Electric Company in
In this manner. while its competing
company is giving better service and
paying better dividends at the present
Sate."
The resolution was adopted. and the
question Of changing the terminus OF the
Columbia line was referred to the pub
Gc utilities commission.
DIR. L. ID. Walter inquired by what right
Che cars of the Washington. baltimore
and Annapolis line are operated In the
District Of Columbia. II Trey are operated
as cars Of the Washington Railway ana
Electric Company, he stated, he wanted
to know why they would not carry pas
sengers from point to point in the Dis
trict of Columbia. On his motion the
question will lie presented to TIE Dis
trict Commissioners
The association gave hearty indorse-
ment to the plan Of Columbia Heights
Citizens Association in the matter or
asking free flower and garden seed for
children of this city who are willing to
engage in agricultural and horticultural
pursuits ]. Clinton Hiatt, secretary of
the Columbia Heights association, ex-
planned what his association is doing to
get the seed.
c. B. Matthews said he would like the
association to launch a move to get fruit
trees planted in the city TO supply shade
He suggested that West Virginia ave-
aue would be a good thoroughfare on
which to begin the experiment. His sug-
gestion met the approval of the associa-
don.
Says Schools Are Crowded.
DR.. Starr Parsons. chairman of the
committee on schools. submitted re-
port dealing with the crowded condi-
tion of schools in the northeast section.
Eupt- Thurston. he stated, told him the
complaint of overcrowding was proper
one. The school board. he stated. has
been urged to force pupils to attend
schools far from home as a means of
remedying the difficulty. Such an ar
rangement. DR.. Parsons stated, would
not do. The remedy is in the construc-
ton of additional buildings
DR.. Parsons said he had found as
many as forty-five pupils in some
schoolrooms, just ten more than should
be permitted for the good of the chill
dren. His report contained a pro-
vision for asking Congress to supply
additional buildings. and it was adopted.
The association adopted a resolution
extending its sympathy to the family
of A. H. F. Holsten. who recently died.
President Tucker reviewed the Dis
trict appropriation. passed at the last
session of Congress. The law passed
TO safeguard vacant houses from dep
redators. he said, is one in which the
association is deeply interested. The
Evening Star. he said. was of great
benefit in the campaign to get the bill
passed.
Favors New Date for Inaugurations.
Mr.. Tucker said he was glad move had
been started looking toward changing the
date Of the Inauguration of President.
The association took up the question twen-
ty years ago, he stated, and Henry B. F.
Macfarland, former District Commissioner,
devoted much time and attention to the
subject A change in the date, he stated,
will mean preventing deaths every four
years.
On motion Of DR.. Walter, the associa-
ton adopted a resolution commencing
Nal Pullman for the good order that pre-
vailed Inauguration day. Henry A Shore
said he thought enforcement Of the
Jones-Works excise law was of great
assistance to the police in preserving
order.
Mr.. Shore presented resolution calling
upon the public utilities to explain why
gas bills have become higher since the
price of gas was reduced. Several mem
bers of the association said their bills
had increased since the change in price
was made. The resolution was adopted
The associated voted an approval Of
me plan 10 construct military road be-
tween this city and Winthrop. Md, where
the government maintains a rifle range
Representative Mudd has a bill provid-
ing an appropriation for the construc-
ton of the road