The Washington herald., 1912-01-13
TRANSFER FIGHT
IS GIVEN SUPPORT
Four Members of Congress Speak at
Mass Meeting-chilly Hall Fails Z
to Dampen the Enthusiasm.

Predictions that the people OF the Dis
trict will awake some day not far distant
to find universal transfers actually being
used by the street railway companies
Of Washington were uttered with the
emphasis of confidence In tone Of opti-
mism by the speakers who addressed
mass meeting under auspices of the Citi-
zens' Conference on Universal Transfers
at old Masonic Temple last night under
conditions which would have nipped al
most any other public meeting in the
bud.
Four members OF Congress, all con-
versant with the universal transfer fight,
and other speakers who have given the
subject OF free transfers deep study
pledged their hearty support TO the ef-
forts of the citizens of the District in
their movement to prevail upon Con-
gress to give the people OF Washington
the universal free ticket.
Icy winds, snow, ice-covered streets,
and a near-zero temperature combined
to more than decimate the audience.
prevent more than half OF the speakers
from appearing, and throw somewhat of
a damper upon an assemblage which
would have demonstrated much enthusi-
asm IL its members had not been so cold
they were forced TO huddle UP in their
chairs, with coat collars about their
necks, TO try to prevent attacks OF the
"shIvers.'
"ShIverH" in Hall.
At Sis o'clock, when the meeting was
scheduled to begin, the speakers waiting
to motnt to the stage, and the band play
ing loudly, only thirty-four persons occu-
pied seats in that part Of the auditorium
allotted to the audience. A hurried con-
sultation was held, and the band was
directed to take a stand at the entrance
to Masonic Temple and seek TO attract
a crowd.
The band took its station in the main
corridor. The main doors were thrown
open. The leader lifted his baton and
a solitary policeman at + and Ninth
streets was startled by p sudden volume
OF music. Few persons were in sight
and the efforts to draw a crowd were fu-
tile.
Undaunted. Acting Chairman p. v.
keating called the meeting TO order. He
explained that he was acting in the place
Of Charles W. Darr, chairman OF the
citizens conference on universal trans
fers. who was unable to be present, as
business matters had called him to
North Carolina. Chairman Keating
briefly reviewed the history OF the uni
versal transfer fight and then introduced
+. J. Ryan, representing the Central
Labor Union
Il represent 5000 men," said Mr..
Ryan, "an of whom are identified with
organized labor. One and all, they are
supporting the universal transfer move
merit. I have heard that some OF US who
are addressing you tonight have been
called demagogues. but IL the word dem
sgogues means universal transfers /
glory in being so designated"
Mr.. Ryan was followed by Representa-
tive Henry George, jr.. OF New York.
who said, in part:
Good Business Move.
Universal transfers on the street rail-
way lines OF this city appeal to me mere
ly as a good business move by the cor
porations operating these lines. am
here tonight as an eminently conserva-
tive man. representing the street railway
companies as we'll as the people OF
Washington. once lived in Brooklyn.
y. Y, and can remember when II cost 3
cents to ride from the Brooklyn Bridge
to Coney Island.
Then Tom Johnson came in. and he
made it possible for a passenger TO ride
from the bridge to Coney Island for s.
cents. In Washington the street rail-
way companies are the most profitable
in the world. They operate by right of
franchise. but / hope to see the time
when all the streets of Washington be-
long to all the people. when the street
railway lines are operated by the gov
ernment only for the best interests of
the people. II resolution was intro
duced in the House tomorrow provid-
ing that the companies be given a lib
eral price for their roads and the roads
given into public hands, / would vote
cheerfuIly for the measure.
In this city we are accustomed to re-
gard a scent fare as a minimum cost OF
street railway transportation, but Tom
who has been called the most
street railway director in
the country, said 3 cents was enough for
a company to do a profitable business"
Franchise Gratis Here.
Representative Gregg, Of Pennsylvania.
told how he and a group of his friends
built a street railway line in the western
part of his State in 1894 and by reveal |
ing how the company is operated, he
pointed out some OF the faults of street |
transportation in this city. He |
said that the Pennsylvania company car |
ries a passenger for six miles for five |
cents. while in Washington the average
cost is cents for Is miles. He pointed |
out that local street railway transporta- |
ton companies were given their fran |
chise gratis, while in Pennsylvania the |
rights of way and the franchise cost |
thousands OF dollars.
Representative LIesd. OF Missouri, said |
in part: II believe that wherever uni |
versal transfers have been tried the test |
has been beneficial 10 the companies. |
When the companies grant a demand OF
the people the people are satisfied, the |
are popularized, and the public |
Is anxious to aid the companies and pa
tronize the lines. II you want universal |
transfers here 1 would advise that you
keep in a good humor, organize thorough |
" and do your work effectively. Then |
you will get results"
Representative Dyer, Of Missouri, also
spoke.