Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-07
REFERRED FOR REPORT
Bill Providing Universal Trans
fers and Cheaper Gas.
VIEWS or COMMISSIONERS
Announcement That Public Hearing
Will Be Given.
OBJECTIONS OF CORPORATIONS
Representative Madden and His Sup
portsrs Ask That Consideration OF
Measures Be fastened.
NEWS or COMMISSIONERS
BJEcT1oNs OF CORPORATIONS

The most decisive step taken thus lar IN
the recently started fight for cheaper gas
and universal transfers in the District OF
Columbia was noted today when the two
bills introduced in Congress by Representa-
tive Madden of Illinois were referred to the
District Commissioners for report. Al
though the Commissioners have made no
public statements indicatiy. Of their views,
1T can be aufhortatisely stated that they
are In favor of the proposed legislation
However, before they forward their report
they will give hearing to learn the public
opinion on the subject
Commissioner Mcfarland announced to-
day that the two Madden bills had been re-
ceived at the District building and that q
public hearing will be given at the earliest
possible date. 1t is expected that the bills
will be considered at separate hearings, and
that the gas bill Will be taken up first The
exact date for the hearings has not been
set, but DIR. Tindail, secretary OF the board.
is Of the opinion that they will occur early
next week. -
Demand Said to Be Unanimous.
An oficiaI of the executive office at the
District building stated today that he Is
sure the District population Is practically
unanimous in the demand for cheaper gas
and universal transfers. and 1t would not
a public hearing to feel the pulse of the
public, were 1t not for the desire OF the
officials of the street railway companies and
the gas companies TO be present and voice
their objections.
This being a short session. Representa-
tive Madden and his supporters have urged
the Commissioners to hasten the considera-
tion of the bills and to report as quickly
as possible. Promptness, they declare, Is
imperative if success Is to be achieved this
winter.
Popular Provisions.
The universal transfer bill contains many
popular provisions. By its terms every
street railway company operating In the
District shall issue free continuous trans
fers to passengers. which transfers shall
be good at every point Of intersection on
all intersecting lines of the same or other
roads All the companies shall sell twenty
| five tickets or fares for 81. instead OF
| twenty-four tickets for 81. as Is now the
| case. All companies shall run cars at leas,
| every five minutes upon every branch OF
! their roads within the District. between the
| hours of Q o'clock in the morning until
| one hour after midnight, and between ]
O'Clock and o'clock in the morning cars
| shall run at least every thirty minutes.
| One important provision OF the Dill Is
| that recurring all the railway companies to
| pay to the District of Columbia In lieu OF
personal taxes. 20 per cent year OF their
| gross earnings, instead Oh per ceHl as iS
| now the case.
| Gas Measure is Brief.
The Madden gas bill is very brief and
| reads as follows:
| THAT from and after the date of the
| passage Of this act all gas companies
| operating within the District of Columbia
| and supplying Illuminating gas to the in
| habitants thereof, shall furnish such gas
| to said inhabitants for the price OF q
| cents per thousand feet, such gas to be OF
| standard and quality required at the pres
| ent time: Provided, That nothing herein
| shall affect any contract made by any such
| company for lower price than that above
| prescribed.
| That all laws and parts OF laws 1ncon'
sistent herewith are hereby repealed.
| A short time prior to the Introduction OF
the Madden universal transfer bill Repre-.
| sentative Wiley Of New Jersey introduced
| a similar bill and referred it to the Com
| missioners for report about ten Gays
| ago. Commissioner Mcfarland and West
| referred the bill to Engineer Commissioner
| Biddle, with the understanding that they
! will act upon his recommendation IN the
| matter Commissioner Biddle stated today
that he will not prepare report upon the
| Wiley bill until after the Madden bill has
been fully discussed at the public hearing
| and after the Commissioners have taken
1t under consideration. The Wiley transfer
| bill reads as follows:
THAT thirty days after the passage OF
| this act the street railway lines In the DIS
| trict of Columbia shall issue free transfers
| at all junction points interchangeable IRON
| the lines of one company to those of an
other.