The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-01-03
SNOW TIES
UP CITY
TRADE
Business Men Rap DC. Heads
for Hardness in Clearing
Busy Thoroughfares

Streets and avenues IN WASH
ington, particularly downtown
were almost unpassable for auto
mobiles today and merchants
throughout the city vigorously
criticize the District Commits
sioners for their failure to take
effective action to remove snow.
Charles J. Columbus, secretary
Of the Merchants and Manufac-
turers Association, and Ernest N.
Smith, general manager Of the
American Automobile Association,
after q survey Of the city, de-
clared conditions deplorable,
shameful and unnecessary.
Fears Fund Shortage.
Although force of ITS men were
working yesterday and 400 men to.
day, snow was still piled one and
two feet high throughout downtown
Washington. Riding is Just one
series of bumps after another.
Morris Hacker, superintendent Of
city refuse, declares that while
funds are available he is not hir-
ing additional men because such
action would create a shortage next
June in the departments fund for
street cleaning.
The men now at work are white
wings and other regular employees.
They are cleaning cross walks,
opening cutters and removing snow
from downtown streets.
l S~1 - 1Nn
city is blocked Mr. Smith said. He
American Automobile Association
would be thrown behind the city
authorities in the development Of
a constructive snow removal pro-
gram against future needs.
Many Autos in Trouble.
"Our emergency road service" Mr..
Smith declared, has been taxed to
a breaking point in getting cars
| out of difficulties in downtown and
| residential sections. It is a shame
equipped and unprepared, physically
and financially, to meet emergencies
| of this kind
| "Our analysis leads US to believe
that not enough modern machinery
1
| methods of snow cleaning require
| machinery more than men. The
situation is deplorable, and big
fire now, with streets blocked
would cause incalculable damage.
Mr.. Columbus said he went all
| over downtown Washington today
| 1.-THE streets are in worse condi
| ton than / have ever seen them, y
| Mr.. Columbus saiG. apparently
little work is being done. l saw a
few men working, put they are
making practically no progress"
| Merchants are filing their com
plants with Mr.. Columbus who In
turn is urging the District Com
missioners to put more men to work
| In the streets.
| Superintendent Hacker announced
today that his force would be on
the job all day tomorrow.
Car Service Improved.
Street car companies reported
service virtually restored today.
Only one line is entirely tied up,
the Wisconsin avenue line from
Macomb street to M street north
west.
Ice several inches thick is caked
in the tracks and men are work
ing with picks to clear them.
Meanwhile, passengers coming In
from Rockville are being trans
ferred to buses at Woodley road
taken to the Mt. Pleasant lines,
and given additional transfers.
Three extra buses are in service
on this line.
Only one car track is in service
from North Capitol and Michigan
avenue tn RrOokland.
In Anacostia, the Washington
Railway and Electric Company has
one track in service between the
Ipit and Alabama avenue.
AS soon as workmen slear the
tracks. service will be Immediately
extended to the end of the line.
Bus Company "HGmOr."
The Capital Traction reports that
all of it's lines are operating 10O
per cent. The Washington Railway
and Electric expects to have all
lines in service by tomorrow.
Taking advantage OF the tieup Of
street car lines, BUSES ut the Wash
ington Rapid Transit Company to-
day are displaying large banner
reading: Blazing the Trail for
Better transportation.
/ Y. MY. w. Dance at Hut