Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-02-06
CITIZENS TO FIGHT
MERGING Of POWER
PLANT WITH W.R.&E.
Federation Will Oppose Pro-
posaI Unless Two Car
Lines Are Consolidated.

The Federation Of Citizens Asso-
Citations will oppose merger Of the Po-
tomac Electric Power Company with
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company unless the same legislation
requires these two corporations to
consolidate with the Capital Traction
Company.
This was decided on at a meeting
in the District building last night,
after William NICK. Clayton had
voiced the belief that 1t would be dan
|gerous to enact law permitting the
power company to unite with the w.
R. & E. and leave the question Of
merging with the Capital Traction
Company to be settled later.
Mr.. Clayton declared he saw no OBJ
lection to the power company and the
w. r. & E. being permitted to con-
solidAte, provided the people are given
"a guarantee in the law that the COM
bination thus formed will Immediate
ly consolidate with the other. street
railway company.
Sees No Aid to Merger.
The speaker asserted that he does
not believe 1t will hasten a merger
of the two street railway companies
to pass q bill permitting the Potomac
Electric Power Company and the
Washington Railway and Electric to
consolidate without reference to the
Capital Traction Company.
The federation adopted a resolution
from the citizens Of Brightwood op-
posing any lowering Of the standards
required for appointment to the 20
lice force in order to fill the 100 or more
vacancies now existing in the force.
The delegates also adopted report
of the police and fire committee op-
posing withdrawal Of sixty-five city
policemen from the White House and
embassies.
These two resolutions brought on a
lively discussion Of the adequacy of
police protection now afforded the
city.
De
citation urged a lowering of the police
standards, as temporary measure to
recruit the force to full strength, de-
claring that the streets are not safe
for pedestrians at night. The only
remedy for the situation, he said. is
to get more policemen.
Urges HiEheP Pay.
e. B. Henderson, chairman Of the
police and fire committee, interposed
that while it is true more men are
needed on the force. the situation
should be remedied by obtaining
higher pay rather than by lowering
the standards for appointment.
On the proposal to withdraw police
from the White House and embassies
in order to increase the street patrol. |
e. B. Henderson reported that mem |
bers Of Congress and Presidents who |
have occupied the White House in the
past have been opposed to surround
ing the executive mansion and for |
eign legations with soldiers.
W. G. Henderson of North Capitol
and lexington suggested that these |
buildings should be guarded by a spe-
cial police force similar to that which /
patrols the United States Capitol |
building and grounds. Mr.. Hege made
the further suggestion that the De-
partment Of Justice should keep !
watch over the White House and en-
bassies.
VIII Attend Movie Hearing.
The federation decided to send three |
delegates to the hearing to be held !,
by the Commissioners on the after |
noon of February %, to consider CEN
sorship of motion pictures In Wash
ington -
The delegates took no definite stand. |
either in favor Of or oppose |
tion to censorship. On motion Of w.
G. Henderson committee was in
structed to consider the question and
report to the ne1t meeting of the fed
Grafton, which will take place before |
the public hearing. This will give the |
time In which to In |
struct its three spokesmen before the |
hearing.
Vice President Jesse c. Suter presided |
In the absence Of President w. B. West
lake. -