Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18
CITIZENS TO CALL
FOR REHEAR|NG ON
CAR FARE INCREASE
Federation Opposes $3.50
Abolition, Higher Taxes
and Daylight Saving.

The Federation of Citizens Asso-
Citations will call upon the Public
Utilities Commission to reconsider its
action in raising the street car fare
to four tickets for 80 cents. or cents
cash.
The federation. at it's meeting in
the District building last night, adopt
ed resolution asking the commits
sion for a rehearing of the fare ques-
tion.
The federation unanimously adopt
ed a resolution opposing abolition of
the half-and-half plan of financing
the District. and also opposing the
proposed increase of 66 2-3 per cent
in local taxes.
This action was taken on recom-
mendation of Charles s. Shreve,
chairman OF the law and legislation
committee. The federation will noti-
fy the District committees of the
House and Senate of it's action.
The meeting also adopted by q sub
stantial majority a recommendation
from Mr.. Shreve's committee oppos-
ing daylight saving in the District
at the present time. Mr.. shreve OK
pressed the belief that there are too
many other more important problems
to be considered.
r. S. Field. delegate from the Ken
ilworth association. announced that
a committee from his organization
will confer today with Henry E. Da-
Wis. an attorney. with view to con-
testing the increased car fare in the
District Supreme Court.
May Amend Transfer COMPLAINT.
The Kenilworth association applied
for an Injunction last summer against
the charge Of 2 cents for transfers
between lines of the same company.
but before the court rendered de-
cision the commission abolished the
transfer charge and the case is still
pending. Mr.. Field stated last night
that his association might attack the
eight order by fling an
amended bill to the transfer suit.
William NICK. Clayton, chairman Of
the federation's committee on public
utilities, expressed the opinion at the
obtained to restrain the commission
from giving the new rate of fare to
the Capital Traction Company on the
ground that the road would earn
more than a fair rate Of return on its
valuation.
The federation adopted another
resolution appealing to Congress to
pass legislation to bring about a
merger of all street railway lines in
the District without further delay.
The meeting went on record in IA
vor Of taxing the net receipts of the
railways instead Of the gross earn
ings. In answer to a question by
Delegate George Wales, Mr.. Clayton
said he believed such a change would
bring the companies nearer a merger.
1t would take in taxes a part of the
excess profits Of the Capital Traction
Company and would relieve the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company from taxation as long az 1t
fails to earn the 6 per cent return on
it's valuation.
This recommendation was opposed
by a number of delegates headed by
Mr.. Shreve. who argued that the
proposed change in taxation would
penalize the Capital Traction Company
in order to help out the less profitable
road.
The vote on this proposition was
a tie, twelve delegates for and
twelve against. w. B. Westlake.
president of the federation, voted
aye, passing the resolution.
A resolution favoring the proposal
to relieve the railway companies from
crossing policemen was unanimously
adopted.
Fail to Indorse Fare Limit.
Capt. George w. Evans and Albert
e. Shoemaker were in favor of jndors-
ing the bill Of Senator Jones limiting
the street car fare In the District to
6A cents. They could not obtain
unanimous consent. however, to In
troduce such a resolution.
Mr.. Clayton. who for years has rep
resented the citizens associations in
public utility matters. resigned last
night as chairman Of the federation
committee on public utilities. Several
delegates spoke Of the faithful serv-
ice Mr.. Clayton has rendered the pub
lie. The federation extended to him a
vote Of thanks.
Jesse p. Crawford submitted his
resignation as a delegate from the
Connecticut Avenue Association be-
cause Of the pressure Of private at
fairs. A vote Of thanks also was ex-