Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-07
CAMPAIGN OPENS
Increase in Cost Proposed by Com
sioners Opposed.
COMMITTEE TO BE APPOINTED
Petitions by Postal Cards Provided
For-Criticism Of Engineer
Office Figures.

Representatives Of the Central Labor
Union, the Chamber OF Commerce and
twelve citizens associations at a meeting
last night at the Chamber Of Commerce
rooms unanimously Endorsed Senate bill
6471, introduced by Senator Galnnger, to
prevent the raise in water rates ordered
by the Commissioners July 1. They
pledged support to an aggressive cam
paign to secure the passage OF the bill.
Bristow Adams, president OF the nnode
Island Avenue Suburban Citizens Asso-
citation was elected chairman, and w. ].
Frizzell of the Northeast Washington
was the unanimous Endorsement of the
bill as read by the chairman
A motion by j. NJ. Wood. secretary of
the East End Suburban Citizens Asso-
appointed to wait upon Senator Gallinger
in advocacy of the passage Of the bill
provoked extended discussion, and was
finally passed without a dissenting vote.
The naming Of this committee was left
TO the chairman of the meeting, who will
announce it's personnel within few days.
This committee is authorized to present
such arguments as it may deem neces-
sary or advisable.
At o'clock a delegation from the
Central Labor Union appeared. headed by
F. w. Oyster. and the members stated
they had just come from a meeting of
the union, representing not less than
900 men, with instructions to indorse
the bill, and to work for its passage.
This announcement was greeted with
applause.
Mr.. Branson Of the Northeast Wash
ington Association. presented figures
from the report Of the Commissioners,
which demonstrated the fact that the IN
crease proposed by the engineer depart
ment could not be supported by the facts.
A letter from A. X. Paris Of the
Georgetown Citizens Association was
submitted as further proof Of the fallacy
Of the engineer departments figures.
Commissioner Rudolph Quoted.
Capt. William H. Potter evoked ap-
plause when he said he had the direct
statement from Commissioner Rudolph
Commissioners is unequivocally op-
rates, and that at the time the Com
missioners returned. by vote Of two
to one, an unfavorable report on the
Gal1inger bill to maintain the present
rates he was just as firmly convinced
as he had been In the first place that
the increase in rates is not justified by
any facts presented by the engineer
department
The chairman OF the meeting stated
that the ammunition of the campaign
would have to be furnished in the form
of petitions to Senator Gallinger. and by
the labors Of the committee Of seven, but
that the Rhode Island Avenue Citizens
Association had secured one thousand
postal card petitions, additional copies of
which could be purchased at cost by any
civic organization.
This proposition received favorable
action, and the postal card was indorsed
and adopted by the meeting, the secre-
tary being instructed to secure the data
for all organizations.
A resolution to ask for $4,000 gallons
OF water per annum, as against the 112,-
600 gallons now furnished at the mini
mum rate and against the 5000 mimi
mum proposed by the engineers depart
ment, was lost with but one supporting
vote.
Form Of Petition.
The postal card petition is as follows:
Il favor the immediate passage OF Sem
ate bill 6471. to maintain the present
water rates in the District Of Columbia,
for the following principal reasons:
THE President and board of Commits
sioners Is opposed to an increase In the
water rates, and therefore favors the
bill.
gineer department In favor OF an increase
in water rates are unconvincing and un-
tenable; its statistics really prove that 1t
Is neither necessary nor justifiable.
''In seeking to make the citizens pay
directly for the water system, the en-
gineer department nullifies or ignores the
organic act. which provides for half-and-
half appropriations from the federal and
District governments.
II deeply appreciate your interest as
shown by your Introduction of the meas
ure. and bespeak for 1t early considera-
tion and hearty support"
Associations Represented.
Among those present. most Of whom
spoke during I e evening, were Mr.
Schulteis, Chamber OF Commerce; E. w.
Oyster, Central Labor Union: Charles w.
Ray Of the Bnghtwood Citizens Associa-
ton. D. J. Callahan and W. B. Todd.
Columbia Heights; J. NJ. Wood, East End
Suburban: Capt. w. M. Potter and c. NJ
Emmons, East Washington; DR.. D. E.
Wiseman. w. L. Hawkins. Howard Park,
NJ. Jones. w. P. Chapman, ]. L. Painter
Northeast County Association
Evan II. Tucker. William M. Bransom,
w. J. Frizxell. Northeast Washington; T..
H. Patterson. A. E. NJ. Lawson. W. e
Gebret, Northeast Suburban: Jacob Dodd,
James Turner. South Kenilworth and
Hampton Park: A. L. Minnich, Dan
Vaughan, c. l.. Mendel. Rhode Island
Avenue Suburban; Allan Davis, South
east Washington: w. Powell Taylor,
Garfield. University Heights, North
Washington, Southwest Washington and
Georgetown representatives sent letters