The Washington times., 1923-04-06
Chicago's City Election, and
Two Illinois Statesmen
Municipal Ownership Sentiment in the Windy City
Ought To Be Significant
By BILL PRICE.

The njuces from which people Of Washington suffer
through nequtabe fares and excessive electric
light rates before the last session of Congress
In situation emphasized by
Senator MCCLELLAN of Tennessee, Senator CoUzENS Of
Michigan others through the offering OF amendments
reducing fares here to cents These amendments were
to the subject of relief for Washington riders that
agreement reached for the appointment OF
Senatorial commission investigate the irritating and unfair
conditions agreement had proceeded to point where
Senators be named the commission had been virtually
the commission thought everything was going through
all right parliamentary objection prevented vote upon
resolution authorizing the commission
Newspaper reports stated that Senator MCKINLEY Of
Illinois had nteposed the knockout objection saying that
connected with corporations understands electric
railway problems thoroughly FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF
Scent fare in Washington might have been determined
by the proposed commission be not sufficient for the two
why should have been authorized
60 forward with Investigations which might have resulted in
ership by the municipality of Washington with resultant
lower fares.
lines off thorough Congressional investigation
just at time when sentiment in the Senate growing
that street fares here are too high and that the PUBLIC
should have little consideration
The Public Utilities earnestly requested Con-
Services Of special attorney to aid the regular counsel Of
the Commission in the important electric light and street
valuation pending in the courts The Senate
Congressman MARTIN MADDEN, of the city Of Chicago,
ittee His word as to appropriations final No Gar ever
exercised drastic power Mr. Maddens committee posi-
lively refused to allow the small appropriation to defend the
rights of the people of Washington and them
far possible against excessive valuations that will mean
increased fares, electric light and gas rates.
Not only did the House refuse to put the item but
when the District of Columbia appropriation bill
ference the House conferees who members Of sub
committee of the House Appropriations Committee refused to
the Senates action in approving the item To cnch
the matter the House conferee acting under orders from Mr.
Madden Mr. Madden acquecng in their views inserted
paragraph in the District bill orbddng the of any
money appropriated for the Public Utilities Commission to
be used for employment Of special counsel
Congressman Madden and Senator Mckinley close
friends Whether they talked District utility matters
before each acted the respective questions mentioned will
be left to surmise.
Anyhow the people of Washington put to the ne
cesy OF going into their pockets for the fund the Com
mission badly wanted They subscribing this
fund in small sums, all the time becoming and more
aroused the failure of Congress give thought
to the interests of the people of this city.
The result of the election in Chicago by which WILLIAM
= DEVER, democrat. was chosen mayor by 100000
plurality municipal ownership platform ought be
significant to Messrs Mckinley and Madden Supported by
the Hearst newspapers in Chicago Dever made surprising
showing Chicago people tired Of political domination
by utilities corporations and of situation by which the
corporations think only of dividends entirely
concerned about the rights and welfare of the public