The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-11-15
TRANSFER FIGHT
NEAR COMPROMISE
Citizens Conference May Sup
port Commissioners Bill.
PUBLIC HEARING IS GIVEN
Attempt to Get Universal Transfers
from Local RAILWAY Companies
May Resolve Itself Into AdOp-
ton of the Measure Prepared by
the District Authorities.

A meeting of the executive board OF
the temporary organization OF citizens
associations and civic bodies consider
ing the universal transfer problem VIII
shortly be held to consider the bill Of
fered by the District Commissioners
last June, and to decide whether that
ers the bill framed by the conference
measure should be supported In place
of the one recently framed by the tenn
porary organization. At hearing yes
terday before the District Commission
was thoroughly discussed, and 1t was
suggested that the Commissioners bill
obtain consideration.
The object of the hearing was to get
the Commissioners to indorse the con-
ference bill. so that all efforts for the
passage of a universal transfer bill
| at the coming session of Congress
might be unified and made more effect
i've
Difference of Opinion.
The Commissioners, while in entire
sympathy with the movement, looked
upon the hearing as unnecessary. as
they had already framed a bill which
| they believe covers all the necessary
points. AS the members of the eXecu-
| tive board who were present stated.
they had not all given consideration to
the Commissioners bill. it was thought
| advisable to call a meeting of the
board at once. The Commissioners
bill was framed by Corporation Coun-
| Gil Thomas.
Charles W. Darr. chairman of the con-
ference; P. V. Heating. OF the Rhode
Island Avenue Suburban Citizens As
| sociation and organizer of the confer
ence, and P. ]. Ryan. attorney for the
Central Labor Union and member Of the
executive board of the conference,
spoke in behalf of their bill. The only
opposition to 1t was voiced by A. K.
Wood. a local attorney. Mr.. Wood cri-
| tiCised the bill freely, but when Com
missioner Judson asked him what he had
to offer in its place he admitted he had
no substitute and said that to prepare
one would take about two weeks.
Mr.. Woods Criticism.
Mr. Wood said that the committees
bill was too general and that for this
reason it would not stand the test Of the
courts He added that the bill was filled
with phrases upon which the railways
could raise technicalities that would un-
doubtedly be ruled upon by the courts
in favor OF the companies. He further
affirmed that the bill did not prevent a
person from using the universal trans
| fers to ride around in a circle forever.
| He stated that he believed in regulated,
| not universal transfers.
Mr.. Darr asked Mr.. Wood II he was
present as the representative of any
corporation. Mr.. Wood replied that he
had come to the hearing merely in the
capacity Of a citizen interested in legis-
! lation affecting the interests of all.
/ ''Tha reason / asked this question -
| said Mr. Darr, was that when I was
leading the fight in the Chamber OF Com
merce for reduced rates for telephone
service in the business districts. Mr.
Wood. as the representative of our op-
ponents. listened to our arguments with
out notifying US of the position which he
| held"