Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-13
STREET COMMITTEE W|LL
CONSIDER sKIP-ST0P PLAN
Matter Set for Special Hearing at
Regular Meeting This
Afternoon.
URGED BY FUEL AUTHORITIES
Would Result in Immense Saving OF
Coal and Provide for Quicker
Scrvicc-Rcprescnt Will BE
Heard in Support OF Measure.

Federal fuel authorities will appear
before the Council Committee on
Streets this afternoon at o'clock and
urge the adoption of the universal
skip-stop plan for the street car lines
OF Richmond for the conservation Of
coal Unless all the coal possible is
saved this year. the fuel administra-
ton fears a famine in the United
states this winter. and is now taking
steps TO prevent the development Of
such situation. The skip stop plan
has been adopted In many cities OF
the country al tho request of the ad-
ministration.
Clarence Rcnshaw OF the conserva-
ton division Of the fuel administration
is expected TO appear before the Street
Committee this afternoon. a. Beirne
Blair. chairman of the Richmond com
mission. will also urge favorable &C
ton In the matter which was brought
10 the attention of the committee some
months ago by the administration.
The committee failed OF quorum at
the last meeting. when the plan was
scheduled for discussion
Mr.. Rensnaw declared yesterday
that the adoption OF the plan would re-
suit in saving of from 10 TO Is per
duction OF electric current for the
operation Of street cars. The elimina-
ton Of stops would also substantially
reduce the running time o. the cars.
and make possible the nearest approach
TO an express service in Richmond
now practicable under existing condi-
lions. The suggestion has been ia
vorably received in many quarters.
PLAN WOULD PROVIDE QUICK
ANSpnRrA TN n e
In addition 70 the patriotic reasons
advanced for the adoption OF the plan,
many Richmcnders sec in the elimina-
ton ~ stops on the trunk lines a
much quicker service between the CEN
tor of The city and the suburbs. Such
"a ae-vice VIII also contribute to the
growth Of these sections. since resi-
dents would be able 10 reach their
places % employment in less time than
is now required, and az a result they
could reside greater distances from
the commercial! section.
Although II is true tina. the skip
stop Will save an immense amount of
coal approximately one-half pound
every time car passes stop. 1t has
other effects which consider OF more
Importance to the car rider than coal
saving" save a statement Of John a.
! Bec!er. committee engineer of public
utilities OF Washington, which was
| Issued yesterday by the administration.
II refer 10 the Improvement in SER
vice which IS possible In every com
munity where the Unnecessary stops
/ are eliminated.
In Washington. for instance the re-
vision made in the stopping places
has permitted the speed and schedules
OF the cars to be increased approxi-
| mately Is per cent and passengers
! coming into the downtown section from
/ the suburbs are arriving from three
/ TO twelve minutes earlier than for
| nerly. The reason for this increase
! IL The speed OF the cars is more readily
understood when we stop TO realize
/ lha, an ordinary street car geared for
I q maximum speed OF twenty miles an
! hour With VI making any stop will
! II it makes eight stops OF five seconds
| each have It's speed reduced TO ten
m!lcs an hour. or only one-hat what
! is possible without STOPS. Fourteen
I steps per mile will reduce the speed to
/ seven miles an hour.
skip stops were introduced in Wash
| ington first in the congested streets
: Of the downtown business section. The
old stops were greatly reduced in mum
Der. and now average about 500 feet
apart. on one of the most important
downtown streets the cars go 100 feet
a stop. and no complaint has yet been
made. The first samples OF stop reduc-
tici proved TO be Immediately salts
factory. Speed increased. track ca
pacities were enlarged. service was
bettcred, and the public responded with
practically universal approbation."