Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-01-18

rTnIHnvHf- M held rollslng meeting
luniiNu DLVUD last night at the Chamber OF !
kRnIIoED Commerce anent the proposed IN
crease in fares on the WasA1ng-
Virginia Railroad BY courtesy of the committee
many other citizens of Alexandria and neghborlng sub
urbs present It is evident that Aexand1as fght-
ing blood is aroused and the spirit evlnced at the meeting
presages a sure victory.
All of the suggestions embodied IN yesterdays VA
ZETTE were unanimously endorsed. The Chamber OF
Commerce at its directors meeting early yesterday at
ternoon Under the effective leadership Of its president
Hon J. Y Williams, took energetic action in resolution
authorizing employment of legal counsel to represent that
body and the citizens before the Interstate Commerce
Commission The Citizens Association meet at the ~
THAN Temple tomorrow night at o'clock to organize
auxiliary opposition. Acting Mayor Marbury has called
Ia special meeting Of the City Council also tomorrow
might to take action the proposed increase Of fares
Thus all the civic bodies astr and the aroused mas
jses of the public are backing them to the limit.
The GAZETTE has been examining the various or
naaces and franchise pertaining to the Railway Com
fpany, Il makes mighty interesting reading, IN view OF
1.-THE present l-adVised the part Of the latter to
raise rates eXtortionate figure We reserve com
en for the present but can promise some interesting
developments later should Ut become necessary.
pertinent enquiry just now, is, why does the Rail
IWaE Company want to raise rates at this particular
time? Are they losing money the present schedule OF
fares? We have reliable information to the effect that
They are actually making than reasonable profit
Their property is administered under the guidance of
perhaps the leading firm of advisory engineers in the
United States, III New DIX ms firm mas Placed we are
old, one of their best constructive managers, man OF
ast and successful experience in the building up and
maintenance Of electric trolley lines He has already
demonstrated his ability and brought order out of con-
rsion and is making the road mOneypayer Two things
he citizens will stand for first for previous mis-
jnanag and eXtravagance second for unhealthy
watering of stock eXorbant distribution of bonuses
among promoters, bond-ssues that might have been
wooded under prudent management We do not make
hese charges, An expert auditors examination Of
he companys affairs however is in ORDER that the citi
whose sole interest the franchise granted may
determine just what bug is under what chip.
We believe that investigation will show that the prl
nary motive of the Railway Company in going before the
Interstate Commerce Commission is very common trait
human nature that its origin to selfishness The
Company thought the time ripe and the citizens would
all for it. But the gentlemen from New York, Phadei-
Mia and other northern cities that fat interest
fearing securities constittinga burden their less for
innate brethren, did not know the temper of the real Viz
nian He has been the front in every from the
lays Of Braddock saved from humiliation by young
}Iginan named Washington down to the recent world
var, where the of Virginia fought noby Flanders
fields ond sustained all the heroic traditions Of their il
ustliOuS ancestors.
: The GAZETTE is in this fight to the finish As the
ldes daily newspaper in The country, it also has tradi
ions to maintain It has shrked duty or Stunned
fight. This policy is bred in the bone and are as
proud Of unsained record Of antiquity We
congratulate the citizens their stand and promise them
ur undivided allegiance and support. More tomorrow
UNIVERSITY OF r. h