Evening star., 1927-05-24
CITIZENS DISCUSS
STREET CAR ISSUE
Mid City Group Hears Plea of
Local Company for
Cooperation.

Frank discussion of the traction
situation in Washington, particularly
the problem of the one-man type of
street car, occupied most of the time
of the meeting last night of the Mid
City Citizens Association at Thomson
School. although several resolutions
bearing on civic matters We're passed.
c. Melvin Sharpe, assistant to the
president of the Washington Railway
4 Electric Co, told in detail Of the
problems of the traction company and
stated that while the one-man car
takes longer to get away if there is
a large crowd to get aboard, the
time of the one-man cars and that
of the two-men cars had been prac-
tically equalized, Cue to four motors
on the one-man car against two on
the two-men type. He invited and
participated in a discussion after his
address.
THE company has no desire to in
ftlct any type of car, schedule or con-
duct on the people of Washington"
he stated at the conclusion of plea
Tor public understanding and friend
ship. "and if the people don't want
one-man cars we will get rid of them."
Traffic Lower During Day.
Outlining the economic problems of
the company. Mr.. Sharpe stated that
the street cars have to take care of a
tremendous rush of Government en-
ployeS at the same hours, but that
during the day traffic falls to the low
est ebb of any city of 100000 popula.
ton in the country.
Washington is the only city in the
world. he said where the street car
companies pay the salaries of the
traffic policemen, which means. he
added, that the burden eventually
passes to the people. He detailed other
unusual expenses borne by local trac-
ton lines, saving that the Washington
Railway & Electric Co. busseS were
compelled to pay per cent tax on
their receipts, while some competing
busses on the same streets paid moth.
ing but the cost of hackers license
Mr.. Sharpe described the new type
of oneman car as in use on Wisconsin
avenue as "a paragon among street
cars" designed to meet criticisms of
previous types.
The association went on record as
regarding the question of married
teachers in the public schools as an
administrative problem, properly to be
left to the discretion of the superin-
tendent of schools.
Favor Street Widening.
A resolution was adopted favoring
the completion Of the street-widening
project on Connecticut avenue by fin
ishing cutting down the trees between
Dupont Circle and Florida avenue, but
opposing any further tree cutting on
any other streets without property
owners along the streets affected be-
ing given an opportunity to state their
views at a public hearing.
A resolution of commendation was
passed lauding Policeman H. NJ. Wood
ward of the second precinct for his
work in frustrating robbery recently
at Seventh and l. streets.
A. resolution was adopted recon-
mending that commercial vehicles be
forbidden to park in front of private
dwellings, except when actually en-
gagged in loading or unloading mer-
chandise.
1t was also recommended that a
traffic policeman be stationed at Ninth
and U streets. and that l. street from
New York avenue to Massachusetts,
avenue be made a one-way street for
westbound traffic, and M streets from
Thomas Circle to New York avenue
be made a one-way street for east
bound traffic.
The following new members were
elected: r. Moss, M. A. Greenberg. p.
Fiore, T. L. Sutton, L. Levene and j.
Alt.