Evening star., 1919-03-16
ACTION IN RAISING
GAS RATE LAUDED
Commission Praised at Fed
Grafton of Citizens Asso-
Citations Meeting.
BUSINESS ON PROGRAM


Commission for its action YESTERDAY
increasing the price of gas in the Dis
trict was voiced at the meeting of the
Federation of Citizens Associations
in the District building last night.
The federation did not vote approval
of the new a5-cent gas rate, but IL
received without debate a report by
William Nick. Clayton. chairman OF
its public utility committee. declaring
the rate to be fair and commenting
the commission for it's decision.
Commission just to Public, He Says
Mr. Clayton said the commission had
acted with justice to the publ and
the company because il had de. ed
action three months on the petition
Tor an increased rate in the hope thai
the cost Of labor and materials would
return to a pre-war basis and. also,
because it has made the new rate eff
fective for period of six months in
anticipation Of manufacturing costs
becoming more normal by that time.
In the course of his remarks Mr..
Clayton criticised the Washington
Chamber of Commerce and Board OF
Trade for an alleged lack of interes'
in public utility matters. He said
neither organization was represented
at the street car or gas rate increase
hearings. The federation. he declared.
had become practically the sole repre-
sentative of the public at the sessions
| of the commission.
The federation gave a unanimous
vote of thanks to Mr.. Clayton for his
| work as chairman of the utilities
committee.
Committee Chairmen Announced.
President Westlake announced the
chairmen of the five committees which
will direct the federation's nation
wide campaign for suffrage in the
District Charles S. Shreve heads the
finance committee; Z. p. Henderson.
facts and figures: Jesse c. Suter. CO.
operation: J. P. Crawford. press. and
Frederick J. Rice. speakers.
These officers will constitute the
steering committee of the campaign.
Organization details are to be perfect
ed within a few days. and the cam
paign is expected to be in full swing
by April.
Opposition to the granting Of IN
creased fares to the Washington
Railway and Electric Company was
voted.
Plan to Lessen Car Congestion.
At the next meeting the question:
Of relieving street car traffic conges-
ton is to be considered. Jesse p.
Crawford gave notice that he will
present a plan. recently adopted by
the Connecticut Avenue Citizens As
sociation, designed to relieve the con-
gestion at the junction OF 10Th street
and Pennsylvania and New York ave-
nues This would require the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company
to abandon it's tracks on 18th street
and continue east on II street to 18th
street, thence turning south to +
street Also, it would require the
Capital Traction Company to operate
navy yard and other eastbound cars
south on 14th street to Pennsylvania
avenue This would leave the tracks
on New York avenue free for use by
westbound cars to Potomac Park and
Georgetown
If the federat approves the plan
that body will ask the commission to
consider it at a public hearing.
There was discussion last night OF
the need of providing the federation
with Office quarters. Mr.. Clayton An
nounced that Brightwood Park Citi-
zens' Association would contribute 500
toward the expense If other associa-
tions would assume their share of the
burden. ]. Clinton Hiatt and ]. l.
Carr were appointed a. committee to
Hook into the matter. The committee
on public health was instructed TO
confer with the Commissioners and
put the federation back of any CO.
operative plan that NAV by devised for
cleaning the streets ad protecting
the health of the city H. the absence
of an appropriation for this work.