The Washington times., 1917-11-01
GOVERNMENT
OWNERSH|POF
ALL UTILITIES
PROPOSED
BY BILL PRICE.

The problem this town has on its
hands in street railway conditions is
today regarded by citizens and Public
Utility Commission authorities alike
as one OF the most serious that has
arisen in years.
Within q few months the city has
increased its population enormously,
and expanding street car accommoda-
tions were accordingly expected.
The expectations have not been fully
met, with the result that daily there
are q multitude OF complaints.
Recognising the gravity Of the
+ situation, the Utilities Commission, 80
soon as it can organize the proper
force, is to start far.reaching in
vestigation to determine what, II any
thing, can be done without oCngres-
sional legislation.
Can't Get Car Crews.
Meantime, the complaints of the
public are met by the statements OF
street railway officials to the Utilities
; Commission that they are unable to
get men to operate the necessary
Z number of cars that the men obtained
: oftea remain but a short time, accept
ing employment elsewhere, and that
the outlook does not grow better.
This applies more particularly to one
company than to the other. it is
stated.
: The Capital Traction Company,
which settled amlekbly with its men
during the strike some months ago,
and which voluntarily raised the pay
of fts employees recently, is suffering
least in the hunt for men, although
one day not long ago the company
found itself without men to carry
out sixteen cars ct an hour when
they should have been in operation.
Starting an energetic campaign for
more men the company, II was stated
today, IL temporarily supplied with
the force II needs, although still
wanting more men in all lines of
work. The company. an official
stat6d, has sufficient cars. Its roll
fng stock will meet the requirements
OF Washington for Q good while, but
on some OF the lines It is running,
during the rush hours, every car al
lowed by the utilities commission
and can not operate more.
W. r. and E. Complained OF.
The service of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company is the
source Of bitter complaint by the
public, but the company reports 10 |
the utilities commission that it is |
struggling hard to obtain competent
men for car crews. Its failure to {
settle with its men in the strike /
left it with a bad handicap to over =,
come. Consideration has been given I
IN q general sort Of way to the en-
ploymsnt OF women as conductors.
but so far no decision has been ar
rived at.
The Government Of the United
States is vitality concerned in the
street railway traffic of Washington.
and high officials are not oblivious
TO the situation. The thousands of |
employees OF the Government must be
conveyed to their work and return
ed TO their homes. Loss OF time means
much to the Government So i'm
portant Is the Governments interest
IN this and kindred subjects that the
determination has been reached bv
the fuel administration that Wash
tngton must have a coal supply all
the time to prevent interference with
vitality necessary activities. The pub
lie utilities OF tho District can not
80 without coal They furnish trans
portation, heat, light.
Ts Ask Higher servic. Rates.
The public, which is strenuousIy
ob5eetins to the service It is getting,
u soon to have something else to !
talk about, according to hints OF Of
acials. This will be the requests Of
he utility companies generally, &C.
'ording to information today, that
hey be permitted to charge higher
'ates for service. The gas light COM +
'sny is about TO give official notice
% the Utilities Commission that its 4
Expenses have grown so heavy that fl {
must be allowed an increased rate l
or gas consumption in the District. F
Hearings will determine the Justice :
Il the request h
The Potomac Electric Light Com E
ANY, which is now contestInK in the
ourts the recent reduction OF its r
harges to consumers in Washington
preparing the way for asking a re. n
urn 70 the old rates by filing with E
he Utilities Commission reports Y
ho*ing great increases in its expen- S=
es due to coal charges and 10 in :
reases along all lines. M
The Capital Traction Company off, =
IaIly intimsted some time ago that y
naneial conditions may compel it to n
SIX the Utilities Commission for a g. =
ent straight fare on Its lines. instead fl
six tickets for IS cents. The z
Railway and Electric U
ompany has given no intimAtions OF 81
. Intentions in this respect, but is =
Ipected to follow the steps of the fJ
apital Traction. Il
MunIcipaI Ownership Proposed. S
Added to the general tangIe into g
hieh street car transportation is IN
sitting Is the certainty that there n
Ill be pressed at the coming session Vi
Congress legislation for the own li
ship by the District Of all public m
ilitiSs. Commissioner Brownlow, 81
Iairman Of the Board Of Commits II
oners and OF the Public Utilities Ti
has favored this for ~
me years, having reported favor. W.
'ly upon the Crosser bill for munich ~
I ownership. vi
This would include telephone, gas, hi
sctric light. and street railways. 2r
The telephone company has not SO lt
; made suggestions looking to an n
cFeaEe of rate charRes btIf Ste ,-Ia,u ~