The Washington times., 1914-03-07
ASKS LESS STRIFE
OVER CITY AFFAIRS
corporation Counsel Declares
More Can Be Obtained by
Cooperation With Congress

Less criticism and more cooperation
" Washington residents will bring a
adjustment of the present relations
tween the District an dtEe Federal
: overnments. and municipal ownership
IL grow out of the activities OF the
: lblic Utilities Commission, according
/, Conrad H. Syme. Corporation Coun-
+ !. who addressed the Park View Citi-
ms Association last night, in Whitney
venue Christ an Church.
Mr.. Syrne urged mutual understand
i1g between the citizens and legislators.
optim.stically predicting that, if the
resent relation between the Federal
nd District governments is wrong in
yrinciple and inadequate in operation,
L will be corrected wisely and justly by
congress
Judge Latimer Praised.
Mr.. Syme's address included an ex-
osition of the work of the Corporation
Counsel's off ce, and he took occasion
=
commended the work of Judge Latimer.
of the Juvenile Court, and he urged that
rhe law which makes it necessary Tor
uvenl le delinquents to he branded as
eeloas be replaced by one more in keep
ing with modern enlightenment.
Vigorous opposition to the Prouty
? anendment to the George bill was
, oiced in a resolution offered by w.
5 Erwin, which was passed nnani-
ously. The resolution also protested
yainst any legislation designed to
{ lange or annul the half-and-haf
Ian. The meeting approved the re-
port Of the committee on civil rela-
ons and finances. advocating pen
. ons for policemen and flremen, to
l,e paid cut of the general revenues Of
7 re District. A resolution of congrat-
8 alton was extended to Ernest L.
ghurston and Stephen Kramer on
n cir appointment as heads OF the Dis
: let schools.
Officers Are Elected.
The following officers were elected:
John G. McGrath, president; o. w.
r. Reed, vice president; J. F. Culver
" ell, secretary; H. w. Melville. finan-
al secretary; c. A. Atkins. treasurer.
, nd r. S. Williams, w. 7. Kenner. and
reston ]. Shannon members of the
axecutive committee. Andrew C.
8uscher and ]. William Ridenour were
lected to membership
Loan Shark Prosecutions.
referring 10 the loan shark law. Mr..
Syme said that prosecutions are now
under way The corporation counsel
n all who were the present victims of
these loan sharks to lay their complaints
before it 1 think more than 1,0eo came
to the office within a week. and, In
eacn case. the office compelled the len
der to accept exactly what was due him
urder the law, which was % per cent OF
: ne sum actually borrowed, or to take
he risk of immediate prosecution. In
I Ills way many people who had paid
rnd repaid the original loan many
: mes in interest and still owed for it
we're enabled legally and properly to
relieve themselves Of this burden"
Il would like to know # a peniten-
tisry ever reformed anyone" asked. Mr..
Syme. in dealing with the work of the
"I am very firmly of the be-
lief" he continued. that our entire
nenal system is wrong In principle, bar
barous in execution. cruel and idiotic
n management, and productive of moth
lnR hut harm and danger
Predicts Municipal Ownership.
Prefacing his statements with the re-
mark that 'he was speaking for him
self alone" Mr. Syme SAID that the
Public Utilities Commission was a step
1ing-stone TO municipal ownership. Il
ave little doubt that when fair values
NJ the utilities are determined" ne
aid. some of them will be taken over
b, the municipality. There is no city
the world. in my opinion, where pub
,c ownership is as imminent, or where
: would he as proper and feasible Is
" ashington. ! think IL is coming, and,
n my Judgement IL should come soon
flve DISPLAYED small spirit In dea ing
sith our affairs" said Mr.. Syme.- "But