The Washington times., 1915-04-17

I'VE do not want to connne our activi-
ties TO the details OF administration
that arise In our offices, but in addiN
tion we hops to promote civic affairs
and interests"
Touching on the fire prevention idea,
the Commissioner referred to. the pro-
tests against recent advances In fire
rates, and added that while fire insur-
ance rates here are not regulated
scientifically. they are as In every other
instance controlled by the fire losses.
Were the Government to undertake to
regulate rates. he said. and were the
present situation of losses exceeding
premiums to prevail the companies
would be forced to withdraw from this
Jurisdiction.
Success In Gotham.
The speaker related the success with
which a fire prevention day had been
inaugurated last year in New York
city. and declared that the influence
Of that day Is still felt. Commission
er Brownlow said that the Commits
sioners propose to endeavor first to
interest the Board of Education, as
children. by whom many fires are
started must be impressed with the
enormity of loss from such a cause
vention.
Major Kutz told the merchants that
shortly after the 1st OF July he hoped
to carry to completion the resurfacing
Of Seventh street, and to complete an
extensive city lighting program. Turn
ing to the Public Utilities Commission.
he announced that the work of physical
valuation Of utilities In the. District has
already been 20 per cent completed. ind
added that full report Is expected by
September I.
The total undertaking. when finished.
he said will represent an expenditure
At nnO III.
not until then. he added. will the com
mission be able to determine whether
the rates for service now in effect are
reasonable.
Major kutz reminded his auditors
that It Is not only the duty Of the COM
found to be unreasonable but TO raise
them where they are shown to be made
quate.
Since its organization the commission
has been asked. Major Kutz said. to au-
thorize tho issuance Of securities agsre-
gatinp 81 10000. but finding It extreme
~ difficult to determine the need and
proprety for such issues pending the
completion Of valuation has confined
its AUTHORIZATION to something more
thar $1,000 100 worth of securities. The
latter were needed for work which could
not well be held up.
The attitude Of the commission. he
continued. toward the utilities is in
tended to he judicial. and not that of
a prosecutor. Through the commission
these utilities. he added ara protected
against hasty legislation and unjust
criticism.
Explains Increase.
In asking the aid of the association
in obtaining from Congress an increase
of $4,000 per year for the support OF
the commission. Major Kutz pointed
out that the utilities regulated by the
commission receive from the public In
payment for service 81. COCOON per year.
or approximately $3S per capita, where
as the cost of the commission at $50 100
per year is between and . cents or
approximately % of per cent Of the
public expenditures to the companies
for service.
Superintendent OF Police Pullman de-
clared that the Commissioners would
center their efforts in behalf of the
police force this year upon the nstab-
lishment of tho police and iremen's
pension fund upon a stable basis lie
asked corporation In stamping cut
reckless automobile driving and 10y
riding" and said that much Of the
time Of the men in his department will
he turned to preventive work and eff
fort to nip crime in the bud"
In response to letter from the
Colonial Beach Busnessmen's Associa-
ton. Anton Stephan was appointed
chairman and directed to select a com