Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-13
Commissioners Decline to Support
Measure on Counsel's Advice.
WILL AMEND THE WORKS BILL
Meeting of Citizens Committee
Called for Tonight to Consider
Future Plans.

Prospect of the District presenting a
united front in its effort to secure the
passage of universal transfer law
decided not to give their support to the
bill proposed by the committee of the
citizens conference.
Acting on a report by Corporation
Counsel Thomas that the citizens bill,
in his opinion. is open to serious objec-
ton, which probably would defeat its
operation il it should be questioned in a
judicial proceeding, the Commissioners
decided to report to the District COM
mittees of the Senate and House their
amendments as suggested to the bill of
Senator Works.
p When informed of the Commissioners
action, Attorney Charles w. Darr, chair
man of the executive committee which
framed the citizens bill. stated that the
plans to have this measure introduced in
Congress will not be abandoned.
Committee to Meet.
Mr.. Darr has called a meeting of the
committee for tonight, when arrange
ments for pushing the campaign insti-
tuted by the citizens conference will be
discussed. 1t is probable that a date for
the proposed mass meeting to be held
for the purpose of arousing interest in
the bill. will be selected at the meeting
tonight. 90 f{t,s
Two conferences were held between rep-
resentatives of the committee and the
Commissioners with the object of having
the District heads tc support the citizens
measure. The matter finaiiy was referred
to the corporation counsel. The decision
of the Commissioners to stand by the
amendments to the Works bill which
they had previously suggested did not
come as a surprise.
Corporation Counsel's Objection.
In his report on the matter Corporation
Counsel Thomas said:
Press of other public business demand
ing attention forbids immediate considera-
ton of the difference in detail as to the
extent in operation Of the proposed trans
fer system in the two bills, and / assume,
as that matter is largely one of admins
tration, opinion is not desired on that
subject. AS a matter Of law, / consider
that the citizens bill is open to serious
objection which will probably defeat its
operation If it should be questioned in a
judicial proceeding
briefly stated, the citizens bill fixes
a rate of 2 LIZ cents for the redemp-
ton of a transfer 1t is likely that
street railway companies could make
sufficient showing in the first instance
to secure injunction against this
rate as non compensatory. particularly
as the bill does not provide against
this eXigency.
Another Suggested Defect.
again, if no injunction is obtained
on final hearing the rate may be found
unreasonable. compensatory or
confiscatory. and. if SO found. the bill
will fail of it's purpose. In other
words. the rate feature makes the bill
nom elastic on the rate question.
The amendment to- the Works bill,
SO called. made by the Commissioners,
is more satisfactory in respect to the
rate feature. because it gives power
to the Commissioners to fix rates after
hearing and provides for judicial
review, and also makes the rate
fixed by the Commissioners final until
reversed by court. This amendment
may be improved but to do so care
full study and investigation will be re-
CURED