The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-10-23
CITIZENS PROTEST
W.R.&E.CO. STAND
ON DEPRECIATION
Denounce Effort to Avoid
Control by utilities
Commission.

Charging that the Washington
Railway and Electric Company is
trying to avoid keeping a deprecia-
tion account and in its place would
charge the cost of repairs in Its
street railway fares, the Fedora
tion of Citizens Associations last
night passed resolutions protest
ing against the w. r. & Els ef-
forts To avoid the jurisdiction OF
the local Public Utilities COmmIs-
sion and directing its delegates to
oppose il.
William Mex. Clayton, chairman
of the public utilities committee,
stated that the company had raised
the question of the rftftfefes' com =
missions authority to require a de-
probation account. resting its case
on the general railway Legislation
of 1920 that put much state rate
making power In the hands of The
Interstate Commerce Commission.
hearing is to be had, he said, De
tween the Interstate Commerce
Commission and the local Utilities
Commission to determine which has
the authority and he asked that the
associations express their desires.
Pass Resolution Of Protest.
The resolution as passed read:
The Federation of Citizens AS
sociations protests against the ef-
forts now being made by the w.
r. & E. Co. to avoid the jurisdic-
tion and control of the Public Utn-
tiles Commission over depreciation
accounts.
IF successful, ineXtricable confu-
sion would follow such dual control
Of utilities rates. the public utiii-
ties act of 1918 would be rendered
, abortive and the Public Utilities
Commission reduced to a shaddowy
pretense of ineffective control.
The federation instructs its COM
mIttee on public utilities to oppose
the announced position of the W. II.
& L. Co. before Congress, the In
terstate Commerce Commission and
otherwise"
On the wharves controversy,
resolution commencing the DistriL.
Commissioners and stating that the
Question of exercising a proper re-
gard for both private and public
interests might safely be left to
them was deferred to the next
meeting on the advice of Capt
George w, Evans, who stated that
an amicable settlement is under way
by which the J. Maury Dove Com
pany will agree to rebuild the par
ticular unsightly wharf in question.
Consider school Tuition.
For the second time in recent
months The federation held a pro-
tracted discussion of school tuition
for pupils who reside outside the
iDtstrict in Maryland and Virginia.
BY a vote of rs to IL 1t endorsed
the report of the committee and the
special bill prepared by Snowden
Ashford. The bill itself makes lit
tie change in the present law, IT
was contended, leaving the children
of government employees and Off
cials exempt as before, but reQuir-
ing that those whose parents mere
ly have businesses in the District
shall pay tuition, except whatever
taxes they pay in the District which
shall be deducted.
The same committee on educa-
tion refused to recommend nature
study as a regular course in the
schools, which action was con-
CURED in by the federation. The
question of establishing a national
university here, it reported, is a
movement deserving of<support but
one that should originate in the
States, because the District Is in
no position to contribute to such
a university. The committee rec
commended that the question be de-
ferred. Such was the action taken.
Plan Fourth Of July Fete.
Reporting on a request from the
Federation of Women's Clubs that
plans be made for the next Fourth
of July celebration, the committee
on celebrations headed by George
Wales recommended in favor of a
celebration, but expressed doubt as
to the wisdom of display OF flags
as the women had suggested, other
\ than the American nag.
Citizens were urged in a resolu-
ton that carried unanimously to
decorate their homes on Armistice
Day and during the arms confer
ence. Resolutions OF coincidence
we're drawn by committee COM
posed of E, B. Henderson, ]. e.
Donovan and william G. Henderson
and will be, sent to Mrs. Henry H.
B. Mcfarland, and to Mr.. George
Finch, the latter for the loss Of