Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-03
CITIZENS BACK D. c. /
TELEPHONE CONTROL
Federation Indicates it win
Support Movement to 0per-
ate Utility During War.
DISCUSSES VOTE HERE

Although postponing a vote unti1ftg
next meeting, the Federation Of CitizenS
Associations last night indicated it win
support the proposition for government
ownership and operation of telephones
in the District of Columbia, at least
for the period of the war.
\ President Charles S. Shreve had made
am interim reference of the matter to
the committee on public utilities, ex-
pecting a decision at last nights meet
ing of the federation. which was held
in the boardroom of the District build
ing. But a point of order was raised
that resulted in the entire telephone
question being sent to the committee
on law and legislation for report two
weeks hence.
Indication as to what the federation's
decision may be at that time was fur
nished by the report of the utilities COM
mittee, which was referred to the law
and legislation committee. II Endorsed
the Postmaster Generals proposal, but
recommended that the property of the
telephone company. if taken over and
operated by the government. be returned
to the company within reasonable time
after the war. Charles A. Baker, chair
man of the committee presenting the re-
port, said that it had been adopted
unanimously.
Colladay Heads Committee.
Edward F. Colladay heads the commit
tee on law and legislation. which viii
propose the action to be taken by the
federation in regard to the telephone
situation. Mr.. Colladay's committee will
canvass the situation thoroughly and its
report viii be the principal order of
business at the next meeting
Representatives of majority or
Washngton's citizens associations who
attended the meeting last night heard
from Representative Madden of Illinois
some views about suffrage for the Dis
trict that are not in accord with the
action of the federation on this sub
ject. Mr. Madden spoke at length about
local affairs and his interest in the de-
velopment of Washington and told his
hearers that Washingtonians, through
their various organizations. have more
influence in bringing about desired
Legislation than do residents OF other
cities who endeavor to accomplish re-
suits through the ballot
|, At the conclusion of his address MI.
Madden was asked several questions
which included a query by President
Shreve if he would be willing to sacrf-
flee the right of suffrage in Chicago II
Congress would take over that city and
extend the same aid to IT that IL does
to Washington. The Illinois member
replied in the affirmative. but pointed
out that to reside in Washington did
not require sacrificing ones right to
vote elsewhere.
Asked for his opinion as to the pro-
posal to give the District representa-
ton in Congress, Mr.. Madden fatty said
he did not think well of IT. Local rep
resentatives in the Senate and House
of Representatives, he predicted, would
rbe kept busy trying to find jobs for
people in the federal departments.
1t was his opinion they would not
have much opportunity to study the
Districts legislative needs. He also
expressed the belief that representa-
tives would be no more effective in ex-
planning desired District legislation to
congressional committees than are the
spokesmen of civic bodies who go to
the Capitol in the interest of local re.
forms.
Mr.. Madden praised the government
of the District of Columbia, declaring
it to be clean and efficient. but the cap
itafs streets, he said, are a disgrace
compared to what they were formerly.
Washington. he urged. should be the
greatest attraction to be found in city
life in this country, and there should be
no stint in the expenditure of money to
make it the model American city
Advocated Budget System.
Members of the District committee in
Congress. Mr.. Madden declared. should
be men of broad vision, capable of
planning big things for the Washington
of the future. He advocated the budget
system of meeting the annual needs of
the capital, Dy Whlcn the needs Wouid
be determined in advance and taxes
levied accordingly. with allowance for
contribution by Congress under the
half-and-half plan. In the course of
his references to suffrage Mr.. Mad
den warned Washingtonians that if
they ablished local government
it would mean losing the federal con-
tribution toward the support of the
capital, an increase in taxation and
possibly the acquisition of a bonded
debt.
Following Mr.. Wadden's address, the law
and legislation COMMITTEES presented re-
ports on large number of resolutions
that had been received from individual as
sociations, the most important being q
recommendation that the federation OPP
pose the Johnson rent profiteering bill,
but support the Tinkham bill on this SUBJ
ject, with certain amendments. This re-
port was adopted. The federation was in
session until nearly midnight
Third Inhneon Tnlnnhnnn