The Washington herald., 1911-05-02

There is a remote possibility that
the agitation against extra charges
for the suburbs may result in some
benefit to the citizens, so far as the
Western Union Telegraph Com
pany is concerned. At a confer
ence yesterday between Eugene F
Gaddess and Manager Taft, the lat
ter promised upon formal complaint
to take up the matter with the New
York Office, with a view to Sc
curing a readjustment of rates and
charges.
ATTRACTED GREAT INTEREST.
| The interviews in The Washington
Herald yesterday. showing how citizens
who reside in the city limits are forced
| to pay extra charges for express, tele-
graph. and baggage deliveries. attracted
widesp-, ad interest. The fact that the
large mercantile firms do not charge for
| deliveries in the suburbs was accepted
everywhere as a reason why no discrtmi-
| nation should be made.
Investigations by Herald reporters yes
| terday made it clear that the District
| authorities are powerless to remedy the
matter. They have Jurisdiction by law
over the taxicab companies, but the
other common carriers are not under any
regulation. These companies give notice
that they will continue to make their
extra charges. The only remedy lies in
legislation by Congress
Wants Public Utility Commission.
Corporation Counsel Thomas believes
that Congress ought to pass the public
utilities bill which the Commissioners
have recommended.
In fact, Mr.. Thomas said the chief aim
Of the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tons, of which William NICK. Clayton
is president. in endeavoring to have such
legislation enacted is to remedy the pres
ent delivery rates in Washington. Mr..
Clayton amended the bill to that effect,
because several citizens associations had
appealed to the central body for relief.
NO one need pay exorbitant vehicle
hire for the regulations cover the situa-
ton thoroughly" Mr.. Thomas said. If
a man believes himself overcharged. he
has the privilege Of going to the nearest
police station and having the matter ad-
iusted by the sergeant" he added
It was learned from the taxicab COM
panies that charges are invariably made
according to the law, although 1t was
acknowledged that on rare occasio1R an
overcharge might happen. in which vase
a refund would be made upon applica-
ton at the companies offices
The Telegraph Companies.
The officials Of the Washington branch
of the Postal telegraph Company would
not allow themselves to be quoted, for
fear they would get into "a peck Of
trouble with the high officials at the
home office. They claimed. however. that
their extra charges were reasonable"
H. T. Tan. manager of the Western
Union Telegraph Company. Of Wash
ington, said practically the same thing
in regard to the complaint Of exorbi-
tant rates and discrimination by those
who live in the suburbs. He said that
II the person to whom a message is ad-
dressed has a telephone. the message
will be read to him or to her. II there
is no telephone in the house the person
message. He will, however. see what
can be done with the New York office
in the matter of a readjustment.
What n Delivery Official Says.
C. w. Buck, manager Of the Mer-
chants Transfer and Storage Company.
declared emphatically that the rates Of
delivery for parcels and trunks were as
cheap as was consistent with good
service.
Time after time we have considered
complaints from various citizens asso-
Citations" he said. in the case Of the
Bloomingdale citizens, we gave what
concessions we could, allowing a cheap
er rate Of charges. We have a zone.
called the city limits. in which the same
rate is charged everybody. irrespective
Of class. but outside of which an extra
sum is imposed. This must be done to
protect ourselves"
IF a person lives a block outside this
city limit would you charge him ex-
tra?"
Most assuredly," Mr.. Buck replied.
The express companies are very inde-
pendent in their position.
The Washington, agent Of the United
States Express Company said yesterday
that only in the city limits packages
were delivered by their concern. all
packages and parcels destined farther |
being turned over to the Merchants |
Transfer Company for delivery, they |
charging accordingly.
1T is, Of course, optional with the con-
signee whether or not his merchandise |
Is carried to him in this manner" It |
was stated. IF person IL Of the opin- |
lon that he can get a cheaper delivery
he will notify US to that effect and we |
will hold his goods for orders"
q. n. Killian, Washington agent for |
the Adams Express Company. which has
recognized that discrimination 10 being
made, said that persons who live in the
suburbs and outlying districts Of the
city limits enjoy fresh air and plenty
Of shade and that this ought to be
enough compensation for other disad-
When We receive complaints about +
from persons who are out
Of bounds" he said, I'VE simply keep 1
their merchapdiss in the once ana await I
lhsar washss u ~ mettsr.s- 4