The Washington times., 1919-01-13
PUBL|CPROBE
Of TH|EVERY
ONCARL|NES
SDEMANDED
BY BILL PRICE,

The Public Utilities Commission is
in session today to determine the mat
ter Of free intercompany street car
transfers in Washington and to con-
slider grave charges made by the gen.
eral public that thousands of dollars
are being stolen by dishonest conduc-
tors who feel that "now is the chance
and do not expect to remain in Wash
ington long.
Whatever the facts as to the wide
spread intimations Of theft,It remains
that the Public Utilities Commission
today has before 1t several hundred
letters signed by responsible citizens
charging that they have lLeonally
observed the failure OF various con-
ductors to ring up" many fares.
May Force Probe.
There are so many of these letters
that the commission. it was limited
today. must take cognfZance of the
accusations. There were frequent in
timations of this at the recent hear
ing by the commission, and many
people have personally informed
members Of the commission that they
have seen enough to, realize that the
railway companies have been badly
defrauded in the last few months
since the scent cash fare went into
effect.
Many letters received by the secre.
tary Of the commission give the
numbers Of conductors alleged TO-
have been filling their pockets with
money belonging to the railroads and,
in several instances, the names.
The sudden and rather determined
interest of the public in this phase
Of the street car situation Is due to
the conclusions Of people that the
public will have ito pay the bilf'
in the long run, and that 1t may as
we'll begin to take a hand to pro-
tect its own interests.
Subject Is Delicate.
The subject is a delicate one. and
for that reason there are no inti-
nations as to what will be done be-
yond the possibility Of an investiga-
tion by paid employees of the COM
mission or by detectives.
There are so many honest men
among the crews Of the two rail-
roads that nobody desires to cast
reflection upon them. Hundreds Of
them have been years with the COM
panies. are absolutely beyond any
suspicion, are men Of standing and
splendid ideals.
The wholesale stealing of street
car money first began in this town
during the memorable street car
strike of 1917. The Washington
Railway and Electric Company,
rather than grant the fair demands
Of its men, especially recognition of
the union, brought to Washington
the worst gang OF thieving strike
breakers ever known. 1t was a creed
among most of these men that any
man who turned in as much as so
per cent of fares should be dis
missed. The company openly toler-
tted this that it might get the up
per hand of its employees. 1t cared
not then for losses. The strike
losses are generally reputed to have
been a cool million dollars
The Disease Spreads.
Like influenza, the thieving disease
spread. The germs were there and
The railway doctors could not eradi-
cate them. With the coming of the
war and inability to get responsible
men the Washington Railway and
Electric company was forcel 10 EN-
ploy men OF any type. regardless OF
their previous history. 1t is only late
" that they have been in position to
obtain a better class and u irVGSti-
gate the records and references of
men before employing them.
The honest men employed on the
roads detest what is going on and may
take action to help rid the companies
Of the dishonest ones who cause re-
Election upon others.
The good men have not consId.rHd
il their business to weed out th2 bad
eggs or to turn informers. 1t simply
meant trouble for them. The COM
panies have been more or less help
less. If they have evidence of dis
honesty, they can merely dismiss
man: but if he is a slick crook, he
will set up i howl that he has been
dismissed because he belongs to the
union.
Hard to Convict.
It is admitted to be almost imIos-
sible TO secure convictions in Court
upon prosecutions for this cause. The
thief will allcse that he is being per-
secuted by a strong company. that
the railroads simply "have it in for
him for his independence. and that If
------ ----------I