The Washington times., 1919-11-09
Perfect Service From a Street
Railway Makes 1t a More
Valuable Investment
By EARL GOODWIN.

w
One of the best institutions for SERVICE in Wasbns
ton is the Potomac Electric Light and Power Comnanv II
is private organization operated for the public benefit
charging high rates. perhaps but still operating to the
entire satisfaction of the community far the furnish
ing of light and power is concerned
Because it is perfect servant of the public it is
valuable institution
would hike the men who cannot understand why this
newspaper is working heart and SOUL tooth and nail to
REDUCE street car fares and PERFECT service to get
into their minds the thought that is actuating us
No public institution particularly no public utility
reaches its usefulness entirely until it gives hundred
per cent service When fails up to the standard
demanded by the public welfare that public utility falls off
In value 1t loses Its grip the public good WILL and there
is gradual dissolution which later shows itself
IN the declining value of the securities of the company
If the Potomac Electric Power Company stood alone if
II were not owned by the Washington Railway and Electric
Company, you would have fair chance of seeing that
statement proved before your eyes. "a
Every storekeeper knows that in SERVICE lies his
bank account People not compelled 60 to any par
cular department store shop to BUY But frequently
popular merchant almost has call out the police reserves
to hold his loving friends in line they rush to give him
their money because they like to deal with him.
Ii we could all work to bring about a situation where
we would all break necks to ride street car-be
cause We loved the w. r. and E. wel-the PROPERTY
of that company would be glowing with financial health II
there were enough street ALL THE TIME instead Of
only now and then; every outlying section of the city
snould De served uly and completely this
town could only know that there would be service through
Rock Creek Park and beyond Massachusetts avenue
tended and wherever there wide unpopuated areas
We wouldn't be looking forward period of congestion
and irritation and suocatng street rides we could
have street wherever and whenever the necessity arose
the street system would have the public good will which
is more to be desired than great wealth.
In getting perfect service street companies put
their stock back at fat figures, which is pleasing
''But you can't get perfect service unless YOU have
money and you can't operate the W. r. and T. at FIVE
cent fare says the banker who is looking my shoulder
at this moment.
But they DO operate perfect service in Cleveland at
LESS than five cents and they operating in Phlade-
phia at five cents ride and raising wages beside.
COMMISSIONER KUTZ has outlined a perfectly FEAST
BILE plan for fve-cent rides and PERFECT SERVICE
CORPORATION COUNSEL SYME has outlined plan
for the same thing
COMMISSIONER BROwNLOw has expressed himself
unateraby opposed to sevencent fare and truth to tell
believe he is getting ready to work for fare as
soon as he gets back to the job.
COMMISSIONER GARDINER has declared for q Ave
cent fare
The only opposition to fvecent fare comes from men
who have constitutional objection to the public having
anything to do with public utility except to pay
By public participation in our railroad systems there
of nsurng fare of FIVE or less One vay ia
to institute perfect service through regulation charge
deficit, if any.
We pay more taxes than get back in improvements
anyhow. Why not of our idle money in improv-
ing the service of our street systemf
If by constant hammerng this newspaper can make the
Washington Railway and Electric Company as perfect
servant the Potomac Electric Power Company we will
be looked upon benefacor But perfection in this mat
ter will until the public has something to saw
about it.