Evening star., 1947-02-21


loff the streets. Private car traffic
probably was as light yesterday and
this morning as at any time since
the end Of gasoline rationing.
One result, however, was to swamp
streetcars, buses in the city and
taXicabs.
Contributing to the rush was the
fact that many people hastened
home who normally would have re-
manned downtown to go to theaters
or other nightspots. Business in
those places was extremely slow
Many night clubs and other places of
entertainment were almost deserted,
and many of them closed early.
Many workers escaped the rush
for home by remaining downtown
during the night. However, hotel
rooms were at premium.
Transit Lines Have Struggle.
Problems of the Capital Transit
Co. we're numerous and dif1cult.
Two derailments, several power
failures and motor vehicles stuck
on the tracks disrupted streetcar
service last night and early today.
One car left the tracks at Four
teenth street and Constitution ave-
nue. NV, and another was derailed
at Beltsville, Md.
Street car service on Key Bridge
was not able to move normally until
noon, and shuttle buses were used
for Rosslyn passengers. The plow
pit was packed solidly with snow, it
was explained.
Service was sporadic on the Cabin
John and Friendship lines. A fire
in power conduit manhole at Wis
I2onsin and Dumbarton avenues NV.
burned out three street car feeder
cables, and buses were placed in
service from the District Line to M
street. They were unable to handle
the load, however.
11th Street Lnie Interrupted.
The Eleventh street line went out
of service at 7 o'clock last night, but
cars were rolling again at am.
teenth street lines were kept op-
Grating, but experienced troubles
with motor vehicles on the tracks
at hilly points. Buses were used on
Fourteenth street when a jam de-
veloped at Upshur street, but there
were long delays.
Buses had their most difficulty
on Connecticut avenue above Flor
ida avenue, on Sixteenth street be-
side Meridian Hill Park and in the
suburbs.
The transit company used between
800 and TOO men in its effort to
restore full service. =
Last night two streetcars were de-
rallied at Thirty-fifth street and
Wisconsin avenue NV, at about
$50 pm. Three cars also got of
the tracks short while later al
Eleventh and N street NV.
Cars Are Abandoned.
Shortly after dark, motor traffic
was backed half way across the
Lincoln Memorial Bridge from the
Virginia shore and along the park
way leading to Lee Boulevard. Many
cars were stalled and had to be
abandoned. The hill at the foot of
Wilson boulevard, in Rosslyn, was
blocked for long periods by cars
and buses which had skidded.
Within the city proper, thousands
Of automobiles likewise were left
parked at the curbs. Many Of them
were so heavily banked with drifts
they were discernible with difficulty
this morning.
Weather conditions caused the
usual tremendous load Of telephone
calls and service was somewhat de-
layed on many Of them yesterday
afternoon and last night. The VOL
ume reached its peak about pm.
Dial equipment also was overload
ed today and telephone patrons were
asked to keep calls to minimum.
The most serious fire reported,
according to the Fire Department,
resulted from a gas explosion about
3 am. in an apartment at 2505 N
street Sc. A janitor, Edward w.
Lookingbill, 81, of 2501 N street Sc,
suffered minor burns on the face
and hands.
Boat Owners Warned.
Harbor police advised owners of
small boats to clear them of accum-
ulations of snow as specify as pos
sible to avoid the danger Of being