The Washington times., 1921-06-27
MUNICIPAL
RAIL Ways
Dl)E|N D. c.
Cong. KelIer's Bill, Approved by
Committee, Has Good
Chance for Passage.

Municipal ownership of the cleo
trio light and gas companies will
follow the enactment into law Of the
Keller bill for the municipal owner
ship Of the street railways.
Congressman Oscar E. Keller. Of
Minnesota, author Of the bill, made
this statement today. The Keller bill
probably will be favorably reported
by the District of Columbia subcom-
mittee at its meeting tomorrow. and
it is said that a majority of the
members of the full committee are
in favor Of it. so that its early report
to Congress Is expected.
WOULD END COMMISSION.
At It's meeting tomorrow the sub
committee Is also expected to report
favorAbly. but with amendments, the
Hammer bill. introduced by Congress-
man Hammer, OF North Carolina,
which repeals the act creating the
Public Utilities Commission and puts
1t out of existence.
Congressman Keller, who has had
fourteen years experience in the
management OF big cities, Is giving
a great deal of his attention to Dis
trict Affairs and today will give out
. statement on the street car situa-
ton In California, where part of the
system Is municipality operated. Mr..
Keller says that the report will show
that San Francisco has operated its
street railways on a scent fare and
made a profit under conditions that
are not nearly as favorable as are
those of Washington.
INTERESTS OPPOSE PLAN.
Most Of the opposition to the
municipal ownership and operation OF
the street railways in Washington
Is coming from outside of the Dis
trict," Congressman Keller said. Tho
reason for this is that whatever is
done, In Washington win radiate out
Into the country and the officials of
the privately owned railway systems
throughout the country are fghting
the plan here for fear that 1t will
reach them in a few years.
Z The greatest, argument in favor
Of municipality owned street railways
was shown during the late war. Dur
ing this time. 86 per cent OF the pri-
vately- owned systems asked for In
creases, while only per cent of the
municipality owned street car systems
raised their fares.
"I do not propose to lower the
standard of living, but I do propose
20 lower the cost OF living in WASH
ington. ! propose to raise the stand
ard of living by raising the cost of
living.
"The bill which presented to take
over the street railway systems In
Washington Is not a sudden theory
OF mine, but Is the result OF. lons
study and an investigation OF many
Of the systems which are run by the
municipality. In every case have
found that the railways were better
operated and that a better feeling to-
ward the street cars was exhibited
by the people OF the cities where
municipal operation was In vogue
than in the cities where they were
rot.
WINS SUPPORT IN CONGRESS.
"Under my plan the people of
Washington would only pay for what
they received. II they wanted three
minute schedule they would get II
and pay for 1t. II they wanted a
SShruuit tnNy Wooio SVe
II and would pay for 1t and nothing
more"
Mr.. Keller said today that when
he introduced his bill there were
many members OF Congress who did
not agree with him, but that after
talking TO him and looking over his
eTVps they have changed their opin-
Ions and he believes that his bill
will pass Congress Ia the near
future.
Under the Hammer bill the Util-
tiles Commission would go out Of
existence Immediately. This, II Is
said. would give immediate relief
because Congress would reduce the
street car fares. The Keller bill,
Il 10 argued, would give permanent
relief. In that II would solve the
street car situation In Washington
for All tina.