The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-06-30


| Coal Issue Acute.
Following the climax of the streetear congestion the
Question of coal became nightmare in this city coal ad
minisrator John L. Weaver appointed and few days
later food administrator The coal problem became
just about the time when Washington along with the
of the country began to experience historically bitter win
ter Attempts to settle the coal problem in Washington,
however depended considerably upon the actions of the
National Administration and the worldwide treatment Of
production of coal The eoaess Monday order taken
as phosophcally in Washington as elsewhere and follow
ing the hard winter the fuel administrators coal advice was
| to "order your winters coal right away
Food prices began to higher than about eight
months ago. and despite the efforts of the food adj
minisration Washington has enjoyed of high meat
prices especially Several retailers have been deprived Of
licenses temporarily and there is genuine disposition
the part of the local administration drive prices to
lower leve-a task which cannot be accomplished thor
oughy without change in the national food policy. Wash
ngton's first ''war bread' sold last December.
Fight Over Telephone
The peoples fight against the Chesapeake and Potomac
Telephone Company going now has been of the
most ingenious outbursts of civic feeling against public
utility monopoly that this city has The telephone
Company asked the Public Utilities Commission for peris-
sion to increase rates and reduce service alleging cond
tons too great burden and failing profits In the midst
OF general outcy against the compay request and the
service combined the postoce offered take over the
telephone system of Washington and operate it at lower
cost and give service This the telephone company
has fought bitterly
A most interesting incident in the telephone company
fight the entry of the Bureau of Standards into the pub
lie hearings resulting in report from the bureau declaring
that the local telephone system not overburdened that its
equipment is antquated and that the increased rates asked
for would amortze the present plant in few months.
This past twelve months has been lurid with charges
of profeering in the National Capital High prices for
rented houses and apartments resulted Congressional out
bursts and in legislation planned limit the amount of
rental which landlord could receive As this legislation
progressed many fearing the result took up policy
of buy the house move and this frantic attempt to get
returns on the property began to affect Government workers
seriously that Congress passed eviction resolution
prohibiting any landlord from turning tenant who
paid the properly.
That legislation crude and drastic was was heroic
remedy for a nasty situation.
Congress planned go ahead after that staid appIi
cation and perfect sober remedial legislation for wartime
purposes preventing too great profits being made real
estate in Washington However this is written the Sem
ate and House at loggeheads the form of legislation
Working for Uncle Sam
The heart and soul of Washington is the Government
employee He has been very important part his own city
in this past twelve month 1t is painful relate though,
that the Government employee has been exploited by certain
mercess politicians who have sought gain political pres
ge by taking away something from the voteess workers
of the various departments.
The annual political attempt to force an extra and
padfor hour upon the day of the Government clerk has
been of the important campaigns of the year. As this
is written the Legislative, executive and judicial appropra-
ton BILL with the unpaid for extra time has been all but
enacted 1t is also true that the attempt to gain better
for saared employees of the Government has been
fruitful it should be- The proposition nearly
peed that each employee shall have flat increase for the
year amounting to $40 month"; which is not with
which to meet the advancing cost of living.
The annual Congressional appropriation for the conduct
the District of Columbia for the next fiscal year. beginning
July of this year. contains several progressive items among
them being provision for twOpaOon fire department. in
of pay for city employees increased police depart
ment and a municipality owned garbage plant.
During the year Commissioner Oliver P, Newman re-
signed to go into the army and Commissioner Charles W.
KutZ ordered TO France They succeeded bv w