Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-28

S. PARKER GILBERT.
Harris Ewing Photo.
Hanna said. H. is tremendously difficult
to handle crowds on a transportation
system where each member Of The
crowd wants oget to an office some
time between minutes of Q and
O'Clock in the morning, he said.
Approves Cross Town Route.
Col. Ladue asked II cross-town route
from Takoma Park through G street to
Massachusetts avenue northeast would
be a good thing and Mr.. Hanna replied
that It might.
Would construction Of tracks on
Twelfth and Thirteenth streets between
e and H streets be desirable?"
"Of themselves they would be Of no
use" Mr.. Hanna replied. Their posi-
BILE use depends on a consideration Of
the whole rerouting problem"
Mr.. Hanna stated in reply TO further
questions that a double track connec-
ton at Fifteenth and G streets would
probably be a good step in connection
with rerouting. but that such a connec-
ton at North Capitol and Florida ave-
nue. would have no advantages.
Would the keeping of more specific
routes and the use Of less special cars
not be more convenient in the matter
Of keeping statistics by routes?" Col.
Iadue asked
The convenience Of the public is
much more important than the keep
ing Of statistics" Mr. Hanna replied.
Chairman Patrick asked Mr.. Hanna
what would be the minimum amount Of
staggering in the opening and closing
! time of Government Offices that would
! help to reduce the peak period OF
+! traffic. Mr.. Hanna said even a IS
minute distribution would be helpful to
! the public. but 1t would have to be
! longer to save any money to the car
! companies
will not the peak situation be inten-
/ Sified when the Government buildings in
the Pennsylvania avenue triangle are
completed?" asked Gen Patrick.
! Yes because the Government activi-
| ties will then be more concentrated, .
answered Mr.. Hanna.
Consult Government.
Cen Patrick suggested that the COM
panies might take up with the Govern
ment the question of staggering in the
time of opening and closing.
Replying to several questions asked
by Commissioner Hartman. MIR. Hanna
said that the speed of street cars in
Washington was about the same in
other cities of the United States ex-
cept in Cleveland and Chicago, where
the cars run faster In Cleveland this
was due to the fact he said, that the
streets are wider and the car lines has
close cooperation with the city govern
ment. He said one reason the Chicago
| cars run faster is that they have the
| best system of traffic regulations, es-
| pecially traffic lights. in the country.
William Mex Clayton. counsel for
| the Federation of Citizens Associations
asked whether there is surplus Of car
service now to the Union Station.
Yes, a great surplus" replied Mr.
Hanna.
The Capital Traction president con-
tended. however, that it would be dif-
f1cult to change the situation at the
Union Station without affecting the
service on most all of the other lines
In the city. Under a merger, he said
improvements at the Union Station
could probably be worked out.
Modern Equipment.
Commissioner Hartman then asked a
series OF questions of both President
Hanna of the Capital Traction Co. and
President Ham of the Washington Rail-
way g. Electric Co. Responding to
these queries. Mr.. Hanna said his COM
panys car trucks were modern, and
Mr.. Ham said his company's trucks.
although not all strictly modern, were
in good working order. Both presidents
thought the height OF car steps was not
excessive, although Mr.. Hanna said if
new cars were purchased they probably
would have lower steps.
The height of car steps Is really
not important any more" remarked Mr.
Hanna.
When everybody in the room. includ-
ing the members of the commission.
greeted this remark with laughter.
Commissioner Hartman said: DO you
want to explain your reasons for that
belief"
mo, I guess won't do that here"
replied Mr. Hanna.
Responding TO a. question by Mr..
Clayton. Mr. Ham said there had been
some increases in officials salaries in
recent years. but they had not been
very substantial ones.
Have You any plan for refinancing?'
asked Mr.. Clayton.
No. said Mr.. Ham.
At yesterday afternoons session
Chairman Patrick asked a long series
of questions of President Ham that
seemed TO give some hint OF the re-
routing plans which the commission
has had in mind ordering for some
, time. Most of the questions we're asked
in this form: Mr.. Ham, do you con
slider that this would be an economical
operation?"
To all Of the questions Mr.. Ham re.
piled that he had given the matter nc
study and that he would not commit
himself in advance of any such study
Chairman Patrick's questions indicated
| that the commission has in mind order
| ing Mr.. Hams company to abandon its
|.St1b-end tracks on @ street between
Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets ant
on New York avenue between the same
! streets and connecting up the tracks
| with those of the Capital Traction Co
at those two points.
| Loop Lines Contemplated.
Several loop lines are also apparently
contemplated. but the questions did moi
indicate where the loops would be. Mr.
Ham said definitely that any attempt tc
institute loop service in WASHINGTON
would be extremely unpopular" with
the riding public. and he characterized
the question of removing all street cal
! tracks from F street as absolutely RI
! 0iculous."
In answer to questions as to the COM
| pany's attitude toward instituting ar
! east and west through line south of the
White House. Mr.. Ham said he had beer
! for some years trying to get such 9
| line on B street street north. but thai
when he and President Hanna of tn,
Capital Traction Co. preached the sub
| iect to Congress and to the Nationa
Capital Park and Planning Commission
they encountered an extremely cold re-
ception.
Asked whether it would not be NOR,
economical to substitute bus for raj
| tt,n a arb livNA
Ham said that the patrons Of this lint
had been getting car service for 4!
years and he did not think it would b.
a popular move to substitute bus service