The Washington herald., 1922-04-05
REQUEST COURT
TO INTERPRET
: UTILITIES ACT
Columbia Heights Citi-
zens Engage Clayton
To Appear in Case.
OUBT AUTHORITY
Say Intent of Trainers of
District Law Is
Violated.

With the view of having the
courts interpret the public utilities
act In regard to the power of the
Public Utilities Commission in FIX
Ing the rates of fare the same for
both companies. William Nick.
Clayton. prominently identified in
local street railway matters. has
been engaged to represent the Co.
lumbia Heights Citizens Associa-
tion on the question. according
to an announcement made at a
meeting of the association at 3017
Fourteenth street northwest. last
night.
The citizens question the au-
thority of the Public Utilities Com
mission to determine a rate of
fare for both companies based
upon their combined fair valua-
tion when these companies are
held to be competitive. Accord
ing to the citizens. II was intended
by the trainers of the law that
the companies should be treated
individually and a rate of fare
determined upon their individual
valuation regardless of its pro-
portion.
Want Fire Escapes.
The committee on public safety
of the association. of which J.
Clinton Hiatt, Is chairman, sub
mitted a recommendation urging
the action of the Commissioners
in having Central High School and
other schools in the District prop
erly equipped with sufficient fire
escapes.
Another recommendation of the
committee disapproved of the op-
Grafton of "one-man" cars on the
street railway lines in the Dis
trfct. The one-man type of car
was characterized as a menace to
the lives of citizens"
A third recommendation re-
ouested a change in the location
of the car stop at Fourteenth and
Harvard streets northwest. The
three recommendation were ap-
proved by the association.
Resolution Defeated.
By a vote of 81 to 2S. the asso-
ciation voted down a resolution to
sustain Mrs. Nina c. Van Wrinkle,
lieutenant of police. in cnarge of
the Women's Bureau, for her ac-
tion in regard to the release Of two
girls alleged TO have run away from
their homes The action % Mrs. Van
Wrinkle in the case of the two girls
has resulted in her being charged
with characterization and ordered
&" appear before the polce trial
bard Following the acton Of the
association. the resolution was re-.
ferred to the committee on public
safety of the association.
Many women members of the as
scciation were in favor of the reso-
luton sustaining Mrs. Van Win
kle but those who voted against the
resolution took the stand that II
was a matter for the police trial
board and the Commissioners to act
upon.
e. c. Lancaster offered a reso-
luton urging a more rigid enforce
ment OF law. The resolution result
ed in lengthy debate for and
against the resolution which was
finally disposed of by. being re-
ferred to committee.
announcement was made that Of
hcers of the association for the
current year would be elected at
the May meeting and the following
we're nominated: Harley V. SpeeI-
man. president; Herbert l.. Davis.
and George A Ward, first vice
president; Mrs. NJ. V. johnson and
Adam III. Gaddis. second vice presi-
dent; Miss Elizabeth Hayden. third
vice president: W. l. Swanton, Sec
retary. and Francis ]. Ford, treas
urer.
A demonstration of the methods
employed in furnishing telephone
service TO subscribers was given by
Two pretty operators from the
cnesapeake and Potomac Telephone
\ communication from Edward
Becker. suggesting the erection of
me school for tubercular children
IN ROCK Creek Park was read and
Ieierred to the public health COM