Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-01


ine-and more.
food regulations promulgated as wal
measures.
Citizens Food Council
Doing YeOman Service.
An outsrowth of the food admins.
tration Is the Citizens Food Council
a voluntary citizens organization
formed to cooperate with the admin
istration until the treaty of peace is
signed and take over its duties as a
sort of residuary legatee after the
formal ending of the war. The coun-
Gil will be the chief promoter of food
conservation in the District upon the
disbanding of the food administra-
ton.
Excepting the war buildings erected
by the federal government, physical
improvements were largely at a stand
still in the District during the past
year. Betterments ordinarily made
by the local government to keep pace
with the city's permanent develop
ment Were halted.
But now that the war is over
Washington is expected to experience
a building boom. The Commissioners,
1t is considered certain, will go to
Congress early during the year with
requests for appropriations for i'm
portant municipal improvements, held
UP during the war by the govern
ments more pressing need of labor
and materials.
It is with confidence, therefore, that
the immediate future will witness the
continuation of Washington's deveI-
opment as the greatest and most
beautiful capital city in the world
that the District greets the new year
Chronologically recited, the events
of last year which were most in the
public mind began with the coal
shortage in January.
How Coal shortage
Problem WAS Solved.
The situation became so serious tina,
the Secretary of the Treasury and the
District Commissioners joined with
the fuel administration In an effort
to afford relief. Fuel dealers finally
were served with an ultimatum by
District Fuel Administrator John l.
Weaver to form a central organize ton
and place under his control all their
resources of coal, equipment and or
ganization in lieu of having their
business taken over by the United
was opened at the headquarters OF the
Coal Merchants Association. 1913 G
street northwest. to which dealers
were required to report daily. The
fuel administrator also required daily
reports from the dealers as to coal
shipments from the mines. AS re-
suit. there was effected more equitable
distribution of coal as among dealers
while consumers were benefited through
q more expeditions delivery and distri-
button of coal shipments
+ About this time agitation for gov
eminent operation of the Chesapeake
and Ohio canal. connecting Washing
ton with the coal fields at Cumberland
Nd. reached Congress in two bills in
rrcdueed primarily for the purpose
of increasing coal shipments to wash
ington via this waterway. Congress
did not act in the matter, but the
director general of railroads. under
the general powers conferred upon
him in the act authorizing govern
mont operation of the railroads during
the war. later directed that federal
assistance be given the Canal Towage
Company, with the view of sending
more coal to Washington by water
and, to that extent, relieving conges-
ton on the railroads. The govern
ment built ten barges which were
placed in operation on the canal late
in the season. Coal shipments over
the canal increased by about 10000
tons during the year, despite loss of a
months operation due to a strike Of
employees, the tying up of many boats
on account of the draft and influenza
epidemic and other difficulties.
District Commissioner Louis Brown
low was reappointed by President
Wilson in January. his nomination
subsequently, being confirmed by the
Senate. The District Public Utilities
Commission. whose members are the
District Commissioners. found itself
a. n n in nf
year with the necessity OF taking steps
to relieve traffic congestion in the
capital. The petition of the Chesa-
peake and Potomac Telephone Com
pany for authority to charge higher
rates also pressed for decision.
Street Car Conditions
And TrnfIic Improved.
John A. Beeler, a well known traf-
fic engineer was summoned from
New York to make a study of the
street car situation. This problem
received his continuous attention
: through the year. Skip-stops. load
| ing platforms, staggered hours and
re-routing plans were put into effect
on Mr.. Beeler's recommendation.
, Congestion was immeasurably re-
iieVed. Owing to the Increased num-
Der of vehicles and pedestrians, 1t has
not been possible to estimate the eff
rect OF the beeler measures IN re-
ducins accidents. Loading platforms
especially. however, are believed to
have tended greatly to minimize the
likelihood of accidents.
The telephone case dragged through
January and into February. when the
United States government, through
Merritt o. Chance, Washington post
master, formally offered to the Pub
lie Utilities Commission to take over
the business of the company and op-
crate 1t during the war at the then
existing rates. With government
action expected, the commission
delayed action on the companys ap-
nlication. July 81, at midnight, UNI
| der proclamation of the President
| the Post Once Department took over
| the telephone service in the District
! The rate application was never
! passed on.
| Gas Rates and Car
Fares Arc Increased.
! The Washington and Georgetown
Gas Light companies, which sought
| financial relief in the form Of higher
rates, were more fortunate Asking
| early in the year, for authority Ia
! charge at the rate of S1.10 instead OF
| IS cents per thousand cubic feet OF
| gas furnished. the companies, after
extended hearings before the com
mission, were permitted to increase
: the rate to 30 cents per Thousand