The Washington times., 1916-04-02
Determined on Consolidation or
Universal Transfers, De-
ctares Secretary Fowler.
HEARING THE FIRST VICTORY
Commissioner Newman Asserts,
However, Granting Of Re-
quest Doesn't Commit Board

Officers OF the Federation Of Citizens
Associations regard the hearing grant
ed them by the Public Utilities COM
mission next Thursday as tho nrst VIC
tory In decisive fight they intend
making for tho consolidation or Nash-
inRton's street railway lincs.
The granting OF this request was an
nounced at a meeting Of the federation
at the Chamber Of Commerce rooms last
evening
Commissioner oliver p. Newman today
stated that. in granting tho request
made by the federation for hearing,
the Commissioners. who make up the
wcomm ission do not commit themselves
TO the merger cause.
W. T.. Fowler, secretary Of The fedora
tion. said today that the officers Of the
federation have agreed to push the
merger issue to n finish.
we intend to impress upon the Com
missioners that wo are determined to
have this merger. or to get universal
transfers. even II the merger plan is
not adopted" said Mr.. Fowler.
On Record Tor Merger.
The federation went on record az
favorins tho merger NJ it's meeting rr"-
ced!ng that oc last ni"ht. ResoluUpns
faYoring a merger were passed at that
time. The introduction Of tho mater
WAS brought arout by n decision rom
dered bv Conrad II. Srme cornorntnu
counsel. that the Commissioners had
the power to Kermit two sNlall lines
10 consolidate
III the Commissioners nay permit
two small lines to consrlldat, We be-
H,fN,
the two big lines, tho Washington RaIl-
way and Electric and the Capital TraC.
ton. said Mr.. Fowler.
Thc commissioners have al said.
-when sncal,inC lCfOrc ;he federation.
that they cons dercd our BODY repre-
sentative one. and IT channel for The
expression ot Washn@ton's desires.
Now we wish tc impress thom with
the fact that the federation is su,inrIlN
behind this issue and that we shall
push 1t through"
Commissioner Newman. after stating
today that the granting of tho request
Tor hearing did not commit ;hc COM
to any line OF action. point
ed out that the opinion of the corpora
ton counsel merely gave tho two small
er lines permission to- CONSOLIDATE, and
shis opinion did not state that tho r'on,-
m'ssioners could require n consolidation.
Ambulance Vote Avoided.
Those who will present the fedora tion
Sarc on thursday are EDWARD +. COLA
day. chairman OF the federation; w f..
Fowler. secretary, and william Mex.
Clayton, chairman of the public utility
committee OF the federation.
Fnort was made by Delegate Garrett.
OF the Pinehurst C!tidens' Association.
70 get through a resolution favorinE un-
restricted speed between street crossings
xior Emergency Hospital ambulances A
vote was not taken because Mr. Garrett
taned 10 get unanimous consent.
w. @. Henderson was seated as dele
gate from the North Capitol and Eek
inEton Citizens associations. Just ad.
mitted to the federation
The Tinkham bill to place District en-
ployes under civil service was brought
b, up oN William NICK. clayton, and was
referred TO the committee on law and
legislation.
Efforts are to be made to bring into
the federation associations not now af-
nliatel with the central body. For this
|purpose committee was named On il
hre Herman A. Phillips. w. r. shannon,
yand William Nick. Clayton.
resolution indorsing the johnson
bill to make crossing policemen MEM
hers OF the metropolitan department
Dwas referred to the committee on po-
lice and fire protection.
Referred to the committee on high
ways. parks. and waterways was a reso-
luton submitted bv the Brightwood
association 4 for placing the Botanic
Hfiardens in Rock Greek Park, near mill
tary road.