Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-01-17

THAT $500. The ndignation already existent among
TpnII ~ the citizens Of
nMvL.1 over the proposed increase in fares
INCkEASE the Washington-Y irginia Railway, Isl
fast assuming cyconc PROPORTIONS! spposmg that the
previous increase which was finally passed over the
earnest protest Of the patrons of the road would be per-
manent the thousands of people dwelling in this city and
along the route to Washington adjusted themselves 10
the schedule Property has been developed homes
Established business connections made and industrial
pas begun all based upon existing rates To raise these
lrates again dsconcert present conditions IN man
ner that will serious financial loss to hundreds OF
commuters Domestic ano business arrangements nave
|been entered into that must be Abandoned Plans
for Greater Alexandria now in active formation will be
lthWarted Our people will be embarrassed beyond mea-
sure if proposed increase is allowed to 60 INTO effect
land it must not take place i
The GAZETTE is now examining into the original
franchise which defines the rights Of the Washington
Virginia Railway Co., and the rights OF the people WhoI
(graned the franchise Thevarous city ordinances are
beng scrutinized carefully with the view of ascertang
lust how farte Railway Corporation has complied With
1.-THE terms of its contract
Meantime urge upon the Mayor to call the City
Council into immediate session and prepare for v1gor-
Ious onslaught this uWarranted infringement OF the
peoples indisputabe right reasonable fares The IN
eres of our citizens is first in priority of consideration
Their various activities, contingent first and foremost
upon existing being maintained based upon an
Implied agreement Of the Railway Company to- always
chage reasonable fares and render reasonable service
las the public protector and promoter of the citizens
business interests to the combined powers of all its
delegated bureaus and committees to put into motion their
skfuly organized machinery for effective public service
The GAZETTE calls upon the Citizens Association,
with its energetic young membership, to get together and
take urgent action.
The GAZETTE, as already stated, is examining into
cys rights and prerogatves under the franchise and
ordinances and tomorrow will publish the results Of its
investigation We also endeavorng to get the Report
of the Interstate Commerce Commission Of time
ago to refresh tine memory Of readers and ourselves
We PROPOSE likewise; to go into detail as to the
why and wherefore of this nsidous attempt to proftee
lat the expense OF the commuters and patrons OF the road
We Whisper confidentaly, that the present
managers of the railway corporation not unanimous
n taking this step Embodened by the per
mission of the D. s. Government to the steam railways to
aise rates, of them claimed to have had inma
zion that the Government issued een-theines in
tation to electric railways to go and do likewise and
petition for an increase in fares.
That the railway is financially hard oppressed the Of
ficels themselves admit But the GAZETTE assure
chem that they have decidedly taken the wrong step
ee their eXchequer It is elementary that the proposed
raise in will send hundreds of patrons reside in
Washington; that other hundreds it not thousands, will
minimize their trips the road that the loss in revenue
will enormously exceed any gain in the higher fare We
assure retail merchants that lessening OF
population will curtail their volume of business propol
onately, and chat they have remedy except to fight
shoulder to shoulder with their feowczens and neigh
)oIs against the increase
We urge every reader of this paper to attend the
meeting of the Commuters Association tonight and bring
lis friends It will be held in the rooms of the Chamber
IF Commerce at s o'clock
The GAZETTE will publish another leader tomorrow
gong into the matter more IN detail and will wage
editorial fight daily in its columns until the obnoxious
measure is defeated beyond resuscitaton!
a