Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-09-16
CITES MENACE TO CITIZENS
Engineer Commissioner Believes
Residents Views Should Prevail.
HOUSE NOW EXPECTED TO ACT
Plans Of Maryland-Virginia COM
pany Probably Will Accelerate
Legislation at Capitol.

Absorption OF the public utilities Of the
District of Columbia by the new thirty
million-dollar corporation. known as the
Maryland-Virginia Company and COM
posed largely OF local capitalists. is op-
posed by Engineer Commissioner William
V. Judson.
Just as far Commissioner can go
in representing the public OF the District
OF Columbia, l desire. and I think Ii my
duty, to protest against the accomplish
ment, practically in secrecy and without
the knowledge of the public. of such a
violent change in the status Of our public
utilities said Commissioner Judson to-
day.
The Engineer Commissioner il Is un-
derstood. while believing that consoli-
dation OF public utilities might be worked
out with advantage to the public under
certain conditions. is opposed to the
launching OF any plan in this direction
before Congress has provided a public
utilities commission.
Stubborn Opposition Planned.
In view of his statement 1t lis regarded
practically as assured that the new corpo-
ration In promoting its plans will meet
with stubborn opposition on the part of
District officials and others who have
been working for the creation of public
utilities commission.
What do you think Of the operation
Of the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS corporation.
which, according to report. is designed
to absorb our public utilities?" Commits
SiOner Judson was asked.
1.-The public is vitality interested in all
questions relating to the cost and quality
Of the service rendered to it BY the pub
lie utilities" he replied. The public in
terest Is obviously greater than the per-
sonal interest Of any small number or
men In Washington or New York
Just as far as Commissioner can 90
In representing the public of the Dis
trict of Columbia, I desire and think
1t my duty to protest against the ac-
accomplishment. practically in secrecy.
and without the knowledge Of the pub
lie, of such a violent change in the
| status of our public utilities.
Many months before Congress adj
journed the Senate passed public
utilities bill. The enactment into law
of this or any similar measure would
enable tho public to give consideration
to all such projects: to stamp with Its
approval measures that would increase
the efficiency or decrease the cost OF
other character
Passage of Law First Step.
1.-The first important step to be taken
in connection with our public utilities is
through the passage OF a public utilities
law to remove the condition that makes
the public impotent in the face of such
events as are now reported TO be occur
ring
The public utilities bill referred to by
the Commissioner and which was passed
by the Senate, was not considered by the
House District committee. Had this
measure become law 1t would have given
authority to the commission proposed TO
be created to regulate rates. qualities and
quantities of service rendered and issu-
ances Of new stock.
Since 1907 the Commissioners have
urged Congress, at each session, to en-
act a public utilities law. AS result
of the announced plaH Of the new cor
poration, they will take UP the matter
| with renewed vigor when Congress meets
again.
1t is expected that the fate Of the pro-
posal for q public utilities commission
here will be settled at the coming ses-
sion. In view of the publicity given the
plans of the corporation, local officials
believe that the House District committee
cannot longer delay giving hearing on
the bill passed by the Senate.