The Washington times., 1916-11-01
Southeast Association Gets Re-
port Attacking the Public
Utilities Commission.
CHARGED WITH LAX WORK
Board Alleged to Have Held Few
Public Hearings or Estab-
liShed New Rates.

"A telephone rate Of cent per call.
the free installation of telephones and
tho abolition OF the private contract
formed the principal features of a re-
port submitted to the Southeast WASH
ington Citizens Association at its an
nual meeting by A. p. Common. chair
man of the committee on telephone and
telegraphs. The public utilities COM
mission also is charged with laxity in
Its work.
Officers were elected and much other
important business was transacted
by the citizens during the course OF
the meeting. Schools and parks were
the principal subjects Of discussion.
The report Of Chairman Common dealt
with the activities Of the public utili-
ties commission generally, and the
work he declares 1t has left undone
with regard to the telephone service
in particular.
Views of Committee.
THE committee feels that the public
utilities commission should do as good
work for the District OF Columbia as
the Interstate Commerce Commission
10 doing for the country" said Mr..
Conner. This the committee feels the
utilities commission is not doing, and
has not done and 1t brings facts as
evidence of this.
1t has not established new rea soma BILE
rates and conveniences. for which It
was established to do: 1t has permitted
d certain utilities to furnish new rates
without a single public hearing; Il ap-
pears to show variable degree of tus-
tce to various utilities.
The gas and electric companies
seem to meet its prejudice and the tele-
phone Is praised In the commission re-
port. yet this utility has neither a defin-
lite rate per call nor metering arrange
ment at callers station.
Few Public Hearings.
The commission appears to be I'M
necessarily solicitous about investigat-
Ing and valuing minor utilities in which
the public has little interest compare
lively. Public hearings are scarce and
Tar between. The dual responsibility Of
the Commissioners as Commissioners Of
the District and OF the utilities COM
mission Is not conducive to a definite
and full consideration OF matters the
commission should have before IL.
The committee concludes that, in its
opinion. the District should have uni
versal transfers. a telephone rate OF l
cent per call. definite system OF meter
ing calls. more street car lines and more
cars. especially in the southeast, and
that the Public Utilities Commission
should consist Of a corps OF judges
rersed in law and a definite system OF
judicial terms and hearings provided
for
The report of the committee was An
proved unanimously by the association
The association placed itself on record
Increase in he -
park policemen, on the motion Of
Chairman King of the park committee
A resolution was adopted requesting
the superintendent of public buildings
the triangular parking space on Pennsyl-
yania avenue southeast and install
benches where people may rest.
The association placed itself on rec
ord as advocating an immediate appro-
priation for the construction of the
Eastern High School. and of the new
vocational school it is proposed to To-
cate on Potomac avenue.
The thanks of the organization were
extended DIR. John Van Schaick, presi-
dent of the Board of Education, for the
interest he has manifested in the plans
for school improvements in the south
east.
The Borland amendment regarding
assessments for street Improvement was
condemned and a resolution was adopted
declaring 1t to be the opinion of asso-
repealed.
Capt. w. A. Luckett, of the river and
harbor committee, called attention to
the fact that the appropriation for the
reclamation OF the Anacostla flats had
been increased by Congress to twice the
usual amount.
Election of Officers.
The election OF officers resulted in the
reelection Of most of the old officers
A. @. Hermann was reelected presi.
dent; II. C. Emerich reelected first
vice president; f. T. Roys. second vice
president; II. N, Roberts. third vice
president; A. p. Common, secretary
Capt. w. A. Luckett, treasurer; w. d.
Culleen, sergeant-at-arms; Allen Davis
delegate to the Federation of Citizens
Associations, and Lemuel Fugitt. alter
nate.