The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-02-19
Fight as Germans Take First City Their New Offensive
CITY OWNERSHIP
IS ONLY SOLUTION
OF CAR PROBLEM
CONTINUED from First Page.)

mission to the resolution OF the Sem
ate. offered by Senator Jones. asking
for details and for recommendations
as to what should be done for per
manent relief. The sentiment in Con-
gress for radical steps OF some sort
has never been so strong, forecasting,
in the opinion OF many persons, au-
thorization OF municipal ownership.
Congressman Crosser has again in
troduced his bill directing that the
municipal government take over the
railroad lines here and pay for them
through a bond issue.
No Congressional steps will be TAX
en-, though, until the Utilities Com
mission has forwarded its answer.
which Is being prepared This has
been delayed by the many duties i'm
posed upon the men who compose
both the Board OF Commissioners and
Utilities Board.
Commission Il Busy.
Yesterday and today these men, as
District Commissioners, have attend
ed hearings before the House Appro-
priatIons, subcommittee making up
the District appropriation bill. To-
morrow they may transform them
selves into utility commissioners and
take up the Beeler "skip-stop" pro-
gram or other phases of local utility
questions before them. Just as soon
as possible they will get to the Jones
resolution.
All the questions in the resolution
are easy OF agreement by the COM
mission except the last one-that of
recommendations for the future.
Commissioner Brownlow has public
- - Il
ship is the only solution of the bad
problem here. He Is convinced be-
yond doubt Of, this being the wisest
thing to do.
Commissioner Gardiner has been
approaching municipal ownership
with some misgivings. He fully I'M
derstands all the facts surrounding
the local car lines, and. looking in
every direction, he sees continued
trouble under private ownership.
Fear Political Machine.
Looming up in connection with
municipal ownership. however, is the
old question OF the possible creation
OF a political machine. Should Wash
ington's aspirations for citizenship
finally become a reality, the ghost OF
the nucleus for a machine in mu-
nicipal management OF car lines raises
it's head. Congress has in the past
held back on similar grounds. but
Senators and Representatives today
say that the ghost does not promise
half as much trouble as the disturb
auce Of the normal life OF this city
through inefficient car service under
conditions which hold out, even at
best. only slight relief OF a temporary
nature.
II would. Of course, be impossible
for Congress to thresh out in one
measure both municipal ownership I
and suffrage. The question immedi-
ately at issue with Congress and the
people of Washington is that Of some
definite plan that will insure street
car development here that will Give
the best possible guarantees against
continuation OF the difficulties under
which the town has been iaboring-
laboring with a patience. too, which F,
Congressman DOremus OF Michigan
says would have brought about a
small revolution in any city where the !
people had the right OF suffrage and !
the bringing OF popular pressure that !
goes with outraged citizenship.
Suburban Citizens Protest.
The Brookland Citizens Association. !
the Rhode Island Avenue Association, /,
and the L University heights NsSOSid-
ton today sent before Secretary Allen, !
OF the Utilities Commission. and John I
A Beeler and his experts large joint
protesting strongly against |
the deplorable car service from which /
these communities have suffered for |
months They are served by the |
BrOoxland and city End Suburban /
lines OF tine Washington Railway and |
Electric COmDany
The delegation consisted o. NJ. NJ. |
Mclean, president OF the Brookland |
association: :. =. Symonds, president /
OF the Rhode Island Avenue Associa- |
tlon: Prof. c. II. Mccarthy, Of the |
University Heights Association; the
Rev. H. W. \. MillinEton, c. V. Burn !
side, and d. II. Uertley.
They charged not only inefhciency |
snd incompetency, but apparent dis !
and favored "skip-stops"
or anything else that would give bet
ter service. The Brookland associa- |
tion has adopted strong resolutions |
favoring Government ownership, and /
believes there is no other solution.