Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-18
IN FIGHT
FOR FREE TRANSFERS
Citizens Association Also
Wants School Children Car
ried at Reduced Fare.

The Petworth Citizens Association took
a decided stand beside the other civic
organizations in their fight for universal
street railway transfers at its meeting
last night. Another important measure
adopted in regard to the street railway
fight was proposition to have the COM
panies reduce the fare of all school chill
dren in the District
During the course of discussion the Of
ficers of the various street railway COM
panies came in for criticism. and pointed
reference was made to their present
prosperity and the rapid growth Of the
companies
The discussion grew out of the report
of Y. 3. Brill. who was elected a delegate
from the association to the recent mass
meeting of trades and civic bodies at the
Chamber Of Commerce rooms to take I'D
the transfer fight. Mr.. Brill reported
that the sentiment of the mass meeting
was strongly in favor Of pushing things
to the limit and that 1t was the duty of
the association to place itself on record
in favor OF the stand taken by other
citizens associations.
Enter Into the Fight.
There was opposition to the plan to en-
list in the special campaign. and w. N.
Cromwell. a former president of the asso-
citation. took the stand that the associa-
ton should act with the Federation Of
Citizens Association. as the most efficient
way.
This was carried and Mr.. Cromwell was
appointed delegate to the Federation of
Citizens Associations and instructed to
vote in favor of universal transfers
Mr.. Cromwell assured the association
that it could do nothing better than to
take up the fight for reduced fares for
school children. Owing to the rapid in
crease in the school population and the
necessity of so many children who can i'll
afford the expense of sometimes riding
several miles to school, it was only
right. he said. that the companies should
improve their present system or reduce
the fares in the District.
The association was unanimously in
favor OF this and instructed Mr.. Crom-
well to bring up the matter before the
Federation of Citizens Associations.
Oppose Water Rate Increase.
Any movement to increase the present
water tax rate in the District will be
vigorously opposed by the association.
which unanimously adopted a resolution
~ OlCStHH6 d6duuSt dry increase III rates.
There was severe criticism of the pres
ent rates and examples given to show
that the water meters were far from
exact in their estimates, while, on the
other hand, some few maintained that
the water tax was no larger than in
many other cities Of like size.
]. I. Painter criticised the system and
urged the members Of the association to
take immediate steps in protest of any
further increase and to present their
protest to the District Commissioners.
He urged that the Commissioners should
conduct strict investigation of water
meters. as many undoubtedly are not
correct.
Example was given in one case where
the water meter registered more than
so for small family in a single year.
This corresponded with similar COM
plants. on the part of other members
which led to strong protest against the
meters.
Mr.. Painter introduced the resolution
placing the association on record oppos-
ing any further increase. He was in
structed to send copy of the resolution
to the District Commissioners.
Need More School Room.
Saying the rapid growth of Petworth
warrants another school building, I. c.
Ellis urged that the board Of education
be asked to rent several small buildings
Aa-i~ACNiheCiy lh Oluci " Ic.IeFe the con-
gestion. The classes are too large for the
good Of both pupil and TEACHER, he said
and the only relief for this would be to
rent several houses to be fitted out suit
able for school work Because the Dis
trict Commissioners have already sent in
their estimates for 1913, it Is impossible
for Petworth to be included in the school
estimates for this year. AS this was the
case, he said the conditions were
SO deplOrable that the citizens could not
afford to wait until the next fiscal esti-
mates sent to Congress and take the
chances even then that the estimate for
a new school building may be cut out
entirely.
The board of education has promised
some portable buildings to relieve the
situation he said, but of late nothing had
been done about the matter.
Residents of Park View will be asked
to join in with the association in giving
hOusewarming at fire engine house.
No. a. i'm Petworth.. about November 10
The District officials will be invited to
attend and make addresses. and supper
will be served. The arrangements are in
the hands of William N. Cromwell. chair
man of the joint committee of the Pet
worth and Park View Citizens Associa-
ton. who will report later. J. l.. Carr,
secretary Of the association, brought up
the matter of the half and half" taxa
ton for the District. and urged the asso-
citation to place itself on record as op-
posed to any attempt to eliminate the
present financial basis of taxation No
action was taken.