Evening star., 1918-01-15

Rejecting the proposal for govern
ment ownership of street railways and
recommending more car lines as the
best means of obtaining permanent re-
lief from traffic congestion, the Piney
Branch Citizens Association last night
voted to urge serious consideration of
it's plan by the public
The plan was presented by Chairman
w. F. Peabody of the committee on
public corporations of the association
and adopted unanimously after it had
been indorsed by officials Of both street
railway companies and the Beeler or
ganization that is making a survey Of
local traction lines, and after repre-
sentatives Of Petworth, Brightwood and
other sections as well as Piney Branch
had engaged in a two-hour discussion
of the railway problem. The plan is:
That all citizens make a serious study
of traffic conditions to the end that they
more efficiently cooperate with the
public utilities commission and the car
companies in relieving the present con-
gestion.
That those who can transact their
business at bther hours should refrain
from riding on the street cars during
rush hours.
Move to Front Of Car.
That all persons Immediately move to
the front Of the car as soon as their
fares are paid.
That all persons purchase an extra
supply Of tickets when returning homo
in the evenings, SO that delays in max
ing change may not occur in the morn
ings.
That all persons, especially those
having long rides. watch the cars and,
where there is long string Of cars
waiting at a transfer station. to let the
first cars go ahead. They will get to
their destination just as soon on the
third or fourth car as they will on the
first car. If it has to stop and wait for
exit.
That both government omcials and
business men of the city SO arrange
their forces Of employees that those who
live a long distance from work can
report at least a half hour later than
those who live nearer; so far as possi-
BILE one-half the force to report at the
later hour and make up the time in the
evening.
Omit Transfer Punching.
That the car companies omit the
punching of transfers during rush
hours. A specially printed or colored
transfer could be issued during the
rush hours and delays caused by
punching transfers could be avoided.
The committee prefaced its report |
with the statement that it is recognized |
the ultimate solution of the problem
is more car lines properly equipped, |
but that relief in this direction could |
not be afforded in normal times in !,
great many months, and immediate re-
lief is what is needed. 1t also COM |
mended the District Commissioners for
licensing bus and jitney lines to relieve |
John q. Hanna, vice president Of the |
Capital Traction Company; s. r
secretary Of the Washington |
Railway and Electric Company, and w.
M. Casey, representing the John A. |
Beeler forces that are now making
survey of the traction situation for
the public utilities commission, com
mended the committees recommenda-
tion.
Representatives of a largo number of
citizens associations in the northwest
section had been asked to join with the
Piney Branch members in discussing traf.
ffc matters. and the meeting. which waa
held in the Iowa Avenue Methodist
Church, was largely attended one. Mr..
Hanna and Mr.. Bowen had been invited to
answer questions, and they were Piled
with many queries as to operating prob
lens. The answers appeared to have the
effect of considerably clarifying the sit
uation as to the difficulties involved and
how they may be best overcome.
Criticism Of Line.
Service on the Georgia avenue line of
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company came in for considerable
comment. An echo of the street car strike
was injected into the proceedings when
one Of the members took this company
to task for not having recognized the
union. this fact making it difficult for
the company to obtain efficient operating
labor today, he charged.
Mr.. Bowen denied that this has any
thing to do with the service problem.
declaring that the company is unable
to compete in the labor market with
the federal government and that it is
doing everything possible to render
good service despite this handicap.
Mr.. Hanna was the first speaker and
his remarks were directed principally
to conditions on the 18th street line. He
said the travel here probably is the
heaviest on any street railway line in
the country and that it practically
would be impossible to run more cars
over this line. He referred to the prac-
tice, recently installed. by the Capital
Traction Company Of loading pas
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