The Washington herald., 1911-05-03

The suburban citizens who are
taxed by the express, telegraph, and
baggage delivery companies have
appealed to Congress for relief.
Their hope lies in the passage of the
proposed public utilities commits
sion. 1t may be hope long de-
ferred, but they will make every ef-
fort to secure the enactment of the
measure, and will be able to fix the
responsibility for its defeat.
CITIZENS ASSOCIATIONS ACTIVE.
Foremost in the agitation against extr.
charges for the delivery of parcels,
trunks. and merchandise of all sorts, in
Guiding telegraph messages. to the su-
burbS and citizens residing outside a
phantom deadline set by the express and
telegraph companies, is the Federation Of
Citizens Associations, which represents
directly more than 5000 persons of in
fiuence in the District. Acting on au-
thority from the presidents of seven Of
these organizations, the central body here
has inserted in the public service COM
mission bill. introduced in the House
several weeks ago. a clause which will
cover thoroughly the alleged abuses in
fficted on the public and the discrimina-
ton shown.
The following is specified in the first
paragraph of the bill:
The Jurisdiction, supervision, and
duties of said commission shall ex-
rhrOuRh0nr fafr Mt
Columbia TO and over all common
carriers operating or doing business
in the District of CoIumbia that
every common carrier shall furnish
and maintain such service and
facilities as shall be proper md
adequate, just and reasonable, and
more than now or hereafter al
any specific provision of law, M
ixed and determined by said COM
mission.
Framed by Special Committee.
William NICK Clayton, president Of
the Federation of Citizens Associations,
said yesterday every effort was being
used to push the bill through Congress
this session. which will be done, he be-
Leves, because of the great number of
taxpayers whose sentiments are sx-
pressed in the above clause.
The complaints Of overcharges and dis
ordinations were brought to the citizens
organizations so often that after a
thorough investigation the following were
appointed TO act a special committee
to determine upon a phraseology that
he
in case the bill was enacted into law:
J. w. Dyer, of the Takoma Park organi-
zation.
Amen E. Davis. principal of Business
High School and president of the South
east association.
William NICK. Clayton, of the Bright
wood association.
Glenn Brown, of the Washington So
ciety of Fine Arts.
w. ]. Richardson. of the Bennings
association.
w. NJ. Cromwell. Of the Petworth asso-
citation.
]. w McGarth, of the Parkview asso-
citation.
These members believe that with the de-
velopment of the outlying districts. pack |
ages and messages should be delivered |
for the same charge they are in the So
called city limits. and that the companies
should be willing to extend their services |
accordingly without extra stipend.
Charge One Dollar for Delivery.
Mr.. Clayton said yesterday that pack !
ages delivered to Brightwood were
charged for according to the size and !
weight, as much as one dollar being
asked in many cases for a parcel that
would be delivered in the city limits for
Is cents.
''It is an outrage" Mr.. CLAYTON de-