The Washington times., 1914-12-16
COMMUTERS DECIDE
TO CONTINUE FIGHT
Residents Along Metropolitan
Branch of 3. & o. 0etermin-
ed to Wage War on Increase

Tndismayed by the action OF tie In
'erstate Commerce Commission in re-
cus'nC 20 suspend the advance IN com
routauor rates on the Pennsylvania
railroad ous Of Washington. a similar
cass, commuters on the Metropolitan
branch of tho Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road are preparing TO wage even more
rigorous warfare against rate increases
or this line. which are not effective
~util December i.
Tho Commuters Association has pre-
s-ntcd before the commission testimony
tending to show property holders Vcre
extended 10 all kinds of Inducements 90
move out and buy property or the line
years ago, when it vas established,
and that now with many OF thoIn tied
in suburban towns as property holders,
all these Inducements have been or are
being withdrawn.
Tho railroad. it is declared by J. c.
Gurley, secretary of the Commuters
Association, has not played fair in
maintaining the, conveniences that led
many Washington residents to move TO
Montgomery county and buy property.
But One of Several Faults.
Increased Communication fares is but
tors have had to face and must face
'nder the present railroad policy il is
noc sred by the men selected at e mass
meeting to represent the commuters.
Fcr years they declare the railroad
has pursued z policy of steadv curtail-
Iuent of the advantages offered to settle
along the line in Montgomery county.
The most recent curtailment came but
oil - liant
With the announcement of an increase
IN fares. it was withdrawal of the
tree carriage OF market baskets, gro
ceries. ice, and other provisions on COM
mutation tickets. Now each commuter
must pay u get his marketing home.
Tor the benefit OF the Interstate Com
nerce Commission representatives OF
5'eetment with that of twenty-five years
80, when the railroad was offering
-pocisl inducements to get patrons to
settle in the committing towns.
. L. ". Moore, mayor of Kensington.
declared today that in the early 'a1s
he Baltimore and Ohio railroad was
Offering to ali prospective patrons a re-
ate Of half OF their freight bills on all
building material il they would put W
l'mes and live along this line OF rail-
road Mr.. Moore frankly states that he
1-as one Of the men who accepted this
czit, and DID pay but half rates on
Hiding materials.
These facts were presented 10 the In
terstate Commerce Commission at an
Unexpected hearing before the suspen-
zion board. when Mr.. Moore. J. G. Cur
ey, secretary Of the Commuters AS
sociation: Judge Ross, mayor OF Garrett
Park. and other officials. presented ar
7uments for the commuters
ar. Moore says that he has freight
G:tls TO sho- that one-hSlf OF the freight
IN the building materials for his home
kpnEtrgfnn WEI %
he railroad, a practice that is now
forbidden BY law, and one that would
Jring actDa by the commission and a
possible heavy penalty.
Mr.. Moore asked the suspension board
r the railroad could give this induce
Lent an a.. that now, at least would
2e considered Illegal, and could offer all
o. the other glowing aids that they did
% get patrons on the line. these patrons
40 not merit consideration. when en- aQ-
ance is threatened. which IL consid-
cred unreasonable and coafscator-y.
There sentiments were echoed bv Ar.
'-urley and others who appeared before
re board.
Cannot Transport Baggage.
J. 9. Gurley declared today that con-
mlters have enjoyed many other con
v=n.eHces III their Communication ticket
hsS have been withdrawn. One OF tie
most important Of these vas the RICH
~ ~ S-liSgOA bdSbGSt. linen ABOUT you
ears ago. he said. the Baltimore aid
ohio railroad abolished all school tickets
,etv'een Maryland points on the Metro
yoHtan branch and Washington and
since then school children twelve year-
81 age and upward have had to paw the
saErc fare as adults"
Even this is not all, continued AIr
'5urley, at seems from recent pubhca-
5ions that the per cent freight in
gresse 2-il be allowed, and We viii
nave % pay just that much more on
I'll freight
AZ far back as the Oldest coulrluter
IN remember those using tickets along
he line have Until few weeks ago, had
'Ae privilege OF sending provisions to
'Ler respective stations without CharSe
rms permitted unrestricted purcha ses
E the Washington markets, and pro
flsions and groceries could be ordered.
ma we're delivered at the home station
rsthout personal enOTt or annoyance
such goods we're delivered b. the .l91r-
C4nt TO the railroad. which IN C1rn
'oOE them AID delivered them on the
'ternoon train. Freight must nov be
Hsio on al such articles. and this
mounts, or the average, II IS declared,
. Is cent? on q box or groceries.
mi" change IN treatment and Sradus
ithdrsWal Of all inducements for som
fHutnS IS being Vigorously pressed OF
ne Interstate Commerce Commission by
-le officers of the Commuters AsEocia
ion. Tho declared, in Z formal petition
Or SUSPENSION or the rates that Oth-l'
~ ise VIII become effective December l
AT IN Increase OF 3 per cent IL TaRsg
--atss . serious situation. not o.ly
'"' the residents along the line but also
~ MONTGOMERY county in general"
z 3 declared thai, If the rates
'fgpOseo By The Baltimore aid
''aio railroad are pegmittej 70 Ue-
me operative IS evident that ii.cre
!! speedily follow gradual and stead'ly
..creas sing loss OF population within Iii
p1muting zone, With the consequea
.'-f.rious effects Oh schools. churches
Pus.ness interests. and community. Ia
90 general: serious depreciation Of
rroperty values. and. finally. reduction
.f train service,