The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-06-09
MAYDROPD.C.
CHIEFS FROM
UTILITY BODY
Congressman Think Board
Should Be Headed by Persons
Other Than Commissioners.
BY BILL PRICE.

not made up of the three District
Commissioners, as at present. will be
urged in Congress, and may have the
support Of Congressman Mapes. chair
man Of the House Committee of the
District OF Columbia
Discussion of District utility sub
jects on the floor of the House and
consideration of these subjects by
committees has already developed
tstrong sentiment for a commission
that will have nothing to do but
work out utility problems here.
Commissioner Gardiner. himself
member Of the Utilities Commits
sion, has been asked by a num-
Der Of Congressman what he con-
number OF Congressman what he con-
sidered best on this subject, and he
has favored a separate commission,
one composed of men who will de-
vote all their time, at reasonable good
salaries, to solving utility problems.
Mr.. Gardiner has stated that it
should be the business Of utility COM
missioners to ride on street cars,
walk over the tracks, directly take
up complaints of the public as to ser
vice, keep well-informed as to gas
and electric light subjects by visits
and otherwise. His view is having
influence in Congress
Have Too Many Duties.
The men now composing the Com
TO do to go into details. AS District
Commissioners, their hands are full.
It is an imposition to saddle a work
upon them that is everywhere placed
in the hands OF separate bodies
charged with no other duties.
The public often has grievances on
utility matters which never reach the
Commission proper. The secretary Of
that body receives them and gener-
ally transmits a soothing reply;
. sometimes the complaint is inYesti-
gated by subordinates, who are not
paid to worry about kicks or
trouble themselves about the rights
of the public beyond ascertaining
whether these complaints are Of the
usual varieties.
Many citizens who have taken part
in the important utility hearings in
the last Few years strongly believe
that there should be a commission,
the members OF which will not be
too busy to take up every complaint
and give il personal attention, with
out treating il as routine and leaving
it in the hands Of subordinates, them
selves busy on other matters.
Every citizen should have the right
to go personally before a member OF
the commission with his kicks" or
views, or suggestions. He is not de-
MED that right now, but he seldom
receives an invitation to appear per-
sonsIly and state his facts. That is
because the present Commission is
made up Of three men who have
about all they can do to run this
town as city fathers; and who find
il simply impossible TO directly con-
slider anything except the high
spots"
No Criticism Of d. c. Heads.
{ So far as the representatives Of the
public are concerned, there is no criti-
cism Of the present commission. 1t
has done all that is possible within
physical and mental limitations The
criticism revolves around the circum-
stances that throw too much work
upon three men whose main duties
are altogether along other lines.
Commissioner Gardiner takes the
view that with separate commission
there would be less need for the serv-
ices of experts, as the members OF a
separate commission would be able to
investigate for themselves on a large
number Of problems for which the
commission has in the past paid ont
goodly sums for engineers.
The subject has been brought be-
fore the House through the request
of the commission for $4,000 for en-
ploying experts If necessary. Mr..
Gardiner thinks that $4,000 will be
enough, and knows that il will be
sufficient IL a separate commission is
created. It has been agreed upon by
the members OF the House subcom-
Tnittee on appropriations handling
the District appropriation bill and by
Chairman Mapes OF the House Com
rnittee on the District, that the latter
leommittee will not be interfered with
NJ IL wants to submit new legislation
for q separate commission.
BeeIer Paid $4,000.
John A Beeler was paid $4,000 for
Soctoring the street railway situation
mere last year. He told the Utilities
Commission that il would require
$1,000 more to make a thorough sur
yey Of the street car field, but this
vas not agreed TO, and he closed his
work In addition TO the $4,000, the
! commission paid out large sums 10
other experts engaged in the valua-
ton Of the two street railway lines.
These valuations, very necessary to
the future work Of the commission,
are nearing completion