Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-11
SEPARATE UTILITIES
! BOARD SUGGESTED
Federation of Citizens Asso-
cia4'n Would Relieve Com
misSionerS of Task.
Mr.. GARDINER FOR PLAN

Commissioner Gardiner is in favor
of a separate Public Utilities Commits
sion for the District. His views on the
subject are not in accord with those
of his colleagues on the commission.
Commissioner Brownlow and Engi-
neer Commissioner Kutz.
This fact became known today with
the launching of fight by the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations to di-
Vorce the utilities commission from
the board of Commissioners of the
District. The federation has sent a
letter TO every member of Congress
soliciting his support for the move
ment.
Brownlow and Kutz. when interview
ed by The Star, expressed the opin-
ion that the utilities commission
should be retained in it's present form.
They were of the opinion that with
the valuation work completed the
Commissioners would have more time
In the future to give to utility mat
Iers, especially service problems
Commissioner Brownlow said Gre
alton of new commission might me-
cessitate doing the valuation work
ever at big cost to the taxpayers
! Have Sufficient Duties.
Commissioner Gardiner has long
: been impressed by the belief, it is
learned, that the District Commits
Sloners have enough to do in ad-
ministering the Affairs of the mu-
Hicpality and that supervision over
the public utilities should be exer-
aeised by separate body, whose mem
; Ders could give their entire time to
iThe work. 1t is his opinion that
uttnty commissioners should have
1me Tor riding frequently over the
Ear ines Inspecting gas and electric
light works and gathering f1rst-hand
information as to the quality of serv-
ice furnished by the several utilities.
The District Commissioners at pres
emit have not the time to give the
close inspection to the details of op-
1uon Mr.. Gardiner thinks is re-
1t is known that several members
OF Congress take this view Of the
situation That a measure of this
character will be introduced in Con-
gress in the near future is consid-
cred practically certain.
Not only does the Federation of
Clt1zens Associations want a sepa-
rate utilities commission, but it would
like to see such a body take over the
street railways here and operate
them upon service-at-cost basis.
Letter of President Westlaks.
It's policy is set forth in the follow
ing letter by President W. B. West
every member of Congress today:
Dear Sir: The street car situa-
ton in Washington has long been
all but intolerable. and there is now
every indication that it will soon
be much worse. There is good reason
of the local systems, which will re-
suit in chaos in the operation Of exc
listing lines. and make impossible
many needed extensions in lines and
service.
LAS the representative of the or
ganized citizenship of the District, I
desire to submit to you the only idea
yet suggested that seems to offer
relief, and ask that, after giving it
your careful consideration, you ad-
wise me of your views.
at is proposed that Congress take
the matter in hand without delay and
provide a permanent solution for the
future good of the nations capital, by
creating a new utilities commission,
separate and distinct from the regu-
lar board of Commissioner, with
broad general powers to immediately
proceed to take over the direction
OF all street car lines and allied utili-
ties in the District. and to operate
subject to the payment to the present
owners OF proper and fxed return
to be based upon a valuation to be
determined for that purpose.
DO you not believe that Congress
could. by some such plan, give the
District of Columbia a model form of
utilities operation, with q aatisfac-
tory guaranteed return to investors,
which would not only satisfy the local
situation. but would serve as q Guide
to other communities?
Il shall await your reply with the
hope that you will give the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations the
benefit of your ideas upon any phase
of the subject