The Washington herald., 1916-07-13
Public Sentiment.

Wilson time and again. He has repeated IT IN
public speeches so many times that it is familiar
to nearly all who have heard him talk or read
what he has said
On occasions the President has changed the
wording in this way:
Public sentiment rules the world"
And since he has been in the White House
the President has shown in actions his belief
that public sentiment not only is mistress but
rules.
In the controversy with Germany about the
killing of Americans on the high seas, in the
trouble with Carranza about the killing OF Amer
leans on the border and in other matters, the
President has made it known that he has kept
his ear to the ground, listened to the voice OF
the people and sought to learn the will OF public
sentiment.
Perhaps public sentiment finds its most truth
full expression in the ballot. But in the District
of Columbia the people are without the ballot
and they have been forced to hnd other means
of expressing their will.
1t has not been difficult for Commissioners in the
past to ascertain public sentiment here and the
Commissioners of today have taken just pride
in making a sincere effort to learn the will Of
the ctys residents in nearly all important mat
tiers directly affecting them.
But in the matter Of the proposed municipal
ownership OF the Districts street railways the
Commissioners seem determined to continue to
disregard the will of the people OF this city
Even in their ardent advocacy OF this proposed
municipal ownership the Commissioners do not
state their belief that there is popular demand
for it here.
There seems to be belief the part Of
municipal ownership advocates that Washington
is a good place to "try out" their ideas Those
who favor prohibition likewise believe Washing
ton is ideal place for "try-out" But the
majority OF the people Of Washington seem ad-
verse to having the District transformed into a
sort OF experimental city for the benefit of the
nation
1t perhaps would be difficult to find any one
who believes that the residents here whole
favor the Crosser bill which has been favoraby
reported by the House District Committee.
Experts have declared that the National Capt.
tai is singularly fortunate in having street rail-
way service that few cities rival And those
who have lived in other large cities are wont
to share this view even when standing up on
the ride home.
Residents here familiar with the high
character of the men at the head OF the street
railways and there has been ample proof that
these making sincere efforts to obtain
the maximum of comfort and convenience for the
public
The people appear eager for full oppor-
tunity to watch the workings OF the recently
created Public Utilities Commission. The COM
mission has only begun the work OF showing
whether it can properly regulate the street rail-
ways In fact the commission has not yet
its valuation OF the properties and its
most important work will not begin until this
valuation has been completed
The Crosser bill proposes that taxpayers here
shall assume a bonded debt Of perhaps S5o,ooo-
900 to buy the railways. but neglects to provide
that a referendum vote Of the taxpayers be
taken this proposition And further the
bill provides that the taxpayers shall turn the
entire control OF the railways over to the Com
missioners, men not elected by them but appoint
ed by the President.
This same Crosser bill was reported by the
committee two years ago and there is good reason
to expect that the House now will ignore the
measure it did then The House most surely is
cognizant OF the same lack Of public demand for
passage Of the measure that was apparent two
years ago.
The man in the street today is familiar with
the advantages and disadvantages of municipal
ownership and the men in Washington have yet
to make known their desire for municipal owner
ship Of local street railways.
Perhaps the Commissioners soon will amend
President Wilson's preccpt for local purposes so
that it will read:
Public sentiment is mistress of the District
of Columbia"