The Washington herald., 1922-09-14
A Chance to Live.

L EElNG ourselves as others see us IS not al
ways pleasant. But when H. G. Wells takes
Washington to task for its lack of transpor-
alton facilities, condition which have no
CONTROL it is, to borrow the English vernacusr, "a
Dit thick"
Mr.. Wells is inclined to be ndulgcnt, but his
observations purely superficial. He criticises
The District for its lack OF tram service and calls
Washington "a city that walks" He told his in
reviewers that we all owned "Aivvers" but each
time his friend offered to convey him to some
place the out of order He related at
length his experiences with the street after
severe ranstorm, during which the cars in
operative and told how long he waited before the
cars again moved Surely Washingtonian
would question the accuracy Of any OF the charges,
but it is to be regretted that Mr.. Wells al
lowed to return to England without being
quanted with the fact that Congress and not the
District makes the laws which regulate uti.i-
ties.
Mr.. Wells wonders why have been slow
to adopt the motor bus as the modern surface
tram He doesn't understand that have
choice. No explained to the novelist that here
in the Capital OF the Nation we are deprived oi
motor bus service because the street compa-
mics object to competition 1t probably would
seem odd to a British subject, who has unusual
ideas about democracy.
1t should be significant that Lord Northcliffe
upon his last visit, took occasion to inquire into
the traction situation in the District. He likewise
expressed surprise that America, which leads the
world in the adoption Of modern methods and ma
Chinery, had completely overlooked the unlimited
possibilities OF the bus which in a few years
has cleared the streets OF London OF its unsighty
tracks.
Il cannot understand why you have done so
much to make Washington beautiful city and
ffi0 all ,tyifb tb,t -,
good weather" Lord Northcliffe said
That year ago, while the bus compa-
nies were fighting for foothold They were the
standing jokes in the business circles OF Washing
ton, where their demise predicted within six
months. There important item overlooked
by the financial undcrtakers and that it has dc.
veloped, was the public Gradually. the bus gained
favor and nourishcd by ever increasing patronage
has extended its ines. until the car compa-
nies have changed their position OF amused toer-
ince. to that OF the misuscd benefactor losing
:avor with the unappreciative public which is &C
tually preferring to ride the bus. And hence.
hey argue. the bus is unfair competition
The public is unable to understand why, if it
chooses, 1t cannot exercise its preference. If
section OF the city wishes to be supplied with bus
transportation and the bus companies arc willing
% serve, the in the refuses to accept
he occasional street argument against
4 satisfactory OF transportation He takes
he position that individual group OF ndi-
glduals has the authority bind him by contract
or franchise to support a street car line that
charges him excessive fare for poor service in
order that the stockholders may receive dvi-
lend. And long as he feels this way about it
nc will be cvcntua'ly served.
The street superseded the horse car and
II spite OF the fact that it left much to be desired
Turing its infancy, it was tolerated and given
chance. The bus companies ask for nothing but
his same chance. They willing to leave the
.erdict the public.