The Washington times., 1910-11-06
OrganizationLa Launches Move
ment to Have Congress
Create Commission.
COMMITTEE NAMED
TO TAKE UP MATTER
Association Indorses Play Space
Idea and Elects
Officers.

Impetus was added last night TO the
movement for a public utilities COM
mission in the District Of Columbia by
the Federation Of Citizens Associa-
tions, which unanimously decided 70
exert every effort TO have Congress
pass a bin creating such a body.
The agitation comprised the prin-
cipaI discussion at the annual meet
ing. at which all the officers were
reelected, and several new move
ments were formally launched. Presi-
dent William Mex Clayton. Of the
association, led the discussion on the
proposal to urge Congress to estab-
lish a utilities commission. Not only
was the plan indorsed. but the presi-
dent was authorized TO name a COM
mittee 10 investigate and report on
the question at a special meeting to
be held within the next few weeks.
Remedies for Evils.
Control Of the public service cor
pOrations and a reasonable regula-
tion Of rates and charges are the
remedies for the present evils, and
the means Of improving the service in
many ways" said Mr. Clayton. at is
we'll nigh impossible 20 have compe-
tition among the public service cor
porations IN Washington, but Il is
altogether possible 10 gain control.
"a public utilities commission
would solve many questions that now
confront US Hardly a meeting Of
any one Of the Improvement societies
is held but some grievance against
one OF the corporations is aired, but
there is neither redress nor remedy
under present conditions. Closed and
uncomfortable street cars would be a
proper subject for the commission,
as would the question OF cheaper
street car fares for school children.
Would Rule All.
mot only would the commission have
power over the street car companies
but It would have control Of the gas
! company. the telephone company, and
the telegraph companies. and. in fact
all corporations that receive franchises
| from the public and serve the public.
II would favor Just such commits
sion as is nov in effect in New York
State, SIS then nearly all abuses per
/ petrated BY the corporations could be
| remedied. Il would not be possible Un-
/ der such a commission 10 work these
! frenzied finance deals as have been done
/ in Washington
Mr.. Clayton then explained that .
! certain company had obtained a fran
| chise from Congress and by expendine
| only $500 is now Offering 70 sell tbs
system or company for S250.000.
At the conclusion OF President Clay.
| tons remarks there was a general dis
cUssion OF the subject. there being a dif,
/ ference Of opinion only as 70 where tht
/ power to govern or regulate the Utilitz
corpora tons should be placed It was
/ thought advisable by some, for econOm
/ icaI reasons, 10 vest the power in the
l District Commissioner, while & few be.
/ lieved that an Independent commission
should be established and that the body
| should be clothed with full authority
1 TO really control.
Committee to Investigate.
! The result was that the principle OF
a public utilities commission" was in
! dorsed and the president was authorized
| to namo a committee 10 investigate III,
| subject. Subsequently a committee vii
be named 10 draft a bill creating n,
commission, and the bill will be pre-
sented TO Congress.
President Allan Davis, Of the South