Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-09-06
Organization Effected at
Mass MeetingsHeld Last
Night at w. C.. C. Hall
STANSBURY CHAIRMAN
Counsel Will Be Employed to Resist
Fare Boost by WA, Ry., Co.
Hearing September 10.

The Mount Vernon division Com
muters' Association was organized
at mass meeting held last night II
the War Camp Community Hall tc
protest against the proposed increase
Of rates which the Washington-Vir.
g;nia Railway Company desires the
Interstate Commerce Commission to
put into operation.
Attending the meeting were sew
eral hundred commuters, both men
and women.
An organization was effected w tn
the election Of officers, appointment
Of an executive committee of twelve
and selection of the foregoing name.
The executive committee immedi-
ately following the general meeting
held a conference and again will
meet Monday night when further
plans will be discussed including
the employment of legal counsel to
appear at the hearing before the In
terstate Commerce Commission at
the hearing set for Friday, Septc M
Der 19, at 10 a. M, in Washington.
AT the conclusion of the meet 'ng
many of those attending the me ct
imp became members of the associa-
tion, signing the petition for mom-
. bership.
TIL, meeting was called to order
by D. R. Stansbury and an organiza-
ton was effected with the election
of these officers; D. R. Stansbury,
chairman; Taylor Burke, vice prcsi-
dent; S. B Fowler, secretary; Capt.
William King, treasurer.
On motion an execISve committee
was named to handle the details.
This committee was appointed by
Chairman Stansbury and follows:
Misses Margaret Germondr Miss
Lucy Graves, Anna Vierkorn, and
Messrs. Egbert Thompson, T. Har-
vey. Hensshaw, r. C, Fitzgerald,
Wilmer Waller, Robert A. Zachary.
Edward r. Birrell, sAshbY Bladcni
J. Edward Shinn< Frank Creighton.
S. E.. Hutton, of Falls Church.
addressed the gathering, telling. Of
what already had been done by the
commuters on the Falls Church. Mr..
Hutton1reads a. report G made to the In(=
terstate Commerce Commission by
the railway company giving the rea-
sons they ask for N increase. in
rates. .'i
During the five: months ended in
June the company it was stated in
the report made operated with de-
fcit Of about 100000.
They also. set. forth that under the
prevailing passenger. ratesiit is i'm
possible to meet. dividends on pre-
ferred stocks without regards; to
common stock and that mo increase
in travel will meet the present de-
felt with the prevailing fares
charged.
A recital was given of the work on
the line, to Camp. Humphreys, a dis
tance Of about four miles.
The eonapany's; statement in the
report that s175,0O0 had. .been spent
for new cars caused considerable
laughter from the commuters.
Mr.. Hutton also stated that the
company also asks permission to
greatly increase its rates for hauling
milk.
Mr.. Justus. employed at the plant
Of the Virginia Shirbuilding Corpo-
ration, gave assurance that the men
employed at that plant would aid
4 the cmmuters in any possible way
Within short time another meet.
ing of the commuters it is expected
will be held and further plans dis.
cussed for combating the proposed
increase in fares.
\ As heretofore stated in these col
un,ns the company asks to be al
lowed to increase the price for
round trip between here and Wash
! ington firm 25 te 40 cents, and fo
a single trip from IS to 25 cents
Other increases in all tickets ais
are asked. -.