The Washington herald., 1921-06-13
BOYCOTT FOLLOWS
INCREASED FARES
ON VIRGINIA Line
Alexandria Pastor Urges
Citizens to Drastic
Action.

A boycott of the Washington-Vir-
ginia Railway company was unani-
mously endorsed by upward Of 800
residents of Alexandria and its en-
virons last night as means OF
protesting the increase of from l-2
to 3 cents a mile on cash fares and
IS per cent on Communication tickets
granted that railroad by the inter-
state commirce commission Satur-
day. providing the increase becomes
effective July IL. as proposed.
The boycott proposal was made
by the Rev. D. H. Martin, pastor Of
the Trinity NJ. E. church, of Alex
andria, Va, in a scathing denun-
citation of the commerce commits
sion's action. delivered from the pull
pit of the church during the evening
devotional services.
When the Rev. Mr.. Martin con-
cluded his remarks the entire con-
gregation. numbering approximate
ly 900, arose in a body and pledged
unanimously to boycott the railroad
rather than pay the proposed in
crease In fare.
UphoIds Boycott Plan.
The boycott is an extreme meas
ure, but sometimes 1t Is advisable,
necessary and justinable. as well as
effective said the Rev. Mr.. Martin.
IF the decision of the interstate
commerce commission authorizing
the increase in fares on the WASH
ington and Virginia railroad lines
goes into effect as proposed. the
commuters should seek other means
of transportation"
As an initial step toward the So
luton of the matter the Rev. Mar
tin urged the people to petition Con-
gress to investigate the decision Of
the interstate commerce commission
to determine the reason why the
decision vas made in favor of the
railroad company.
IF this action fails. and the gov
ernment will not defend the people
against the profiteer, II becomes
necessary for the people to defend
themselves as best they can-by
means Of the boycott" said the Rev.
Martin. So
Meet. with Approval.
The decision granting the increase
in rates has caused considerable dis
cussion among the persons who
daily commute between Washington
and nearby sections of Virginia and
in many instances the proposal of
boycott has met with approval.
The decision of the interstate
commerce commission to grant the
Washington and Virginia Railway
company the privilege to increase
its rates has been received by thou
sands of commuters in Virginia and
the District Of Columbia with min
gled feelings of anger and disgust"
said Rev. Martin.
Railway fares should be coming
down instead OF going up." he con-
tinued, "and especially on this line
where the service is far from satis-
factory. Every pulpit in this part
Of Virginia and every citizen who
stands for square deal should pro-
test against the action of the inter-
state commerce commission with all
their might.
The people do not expect any
thing but the spirit of greed from
the railways, but they do look to
the government to protect their IN
terests- Decisions of this kind make
bolsheviks. There is nothing that
will cause revolution In this coun-
try more certainly than legislation
favorable to the corporations as
against the welfare of the people.
Appeals to Government.
TT is high time the government
released the people of this country
from the grasp of greedy profiteers
and brought the profteers to pun
ishment. The people stood patiently
for al kinds of coughing during the
war in order that, the government
might not be embarrassed by their
complaints. but now, in days of
peace the people will not stand un-
scrupulous dealings much longer.
What defense have the thousands
of commuters against the decision
of the commission In favor of the
railroad company The commission
nN nNar