The Washington times., 1923-04-07
GOAL NEAR
IN PEPCO
FUND
Approximately TWo-thirds OF
$4,000 Required Has
Been Subscribed.

the fund to employ special counsel
in the fight against the Potomac
Electric Power Company to force
the latter to return TO patrons of
the company $S,S0O,O0O impounded
under court orders, raising the
additional $1,034.45 required to
make up the $4,000 needed for the
purpose will be only a question
Of q few days, is the belief of
thousands of Washingtonians in
terested in the successful prosecu-
ton of the fight.
Unions Aid Campaign.
Labor unions and citizens asso.
Citations have contributed to the
fund in a way indicating the appeal
for financial support in the effort
to regain for thousands of electric
users a part of the overcharge paid
by them under rates Of service de-
manded by the company has struck
a popular chord.
Among the former organizations
who yesterday joined in the city
wide movement against the exorbi-
tant electric light rates and the re-
fusaI of the company to refund the
overcharge accumulated in the i'm
pounded $500. 900 was the Master
Horseshoers Protective Association,
Local No. 81, which subscribed $40
to the fund. The action by the
| horseshoers emphasizes the spirit
/, shown by the labor unions many
OF which have contributed to the
| fund. In addition 1t is known that
If necessary still further contribu.
tions will be made by them. The
| feeling, however, among executives
| of the associations is that with q
popular crusade of the kind under
| way little difficulty shoald be ex-
| perienced in raising the balance OF
| the fund from among patrons OF
| the company who realize the drive
! against the company's Withholding
! the overcharge surplus Is directed
| in their interests.
Goal Is in Sight.
A survey of the contributions
made by organizations shows that
proportionately the labor unions
have responded more generally than
other civic bodies. This IL in.
terpreted as interesting from the
sidelight 1t throws on the DISPOSE
ton of organizations to protect not
only their own interests but those OF
the public at large.
| Approximately two.thirds of the
required fund has been subscribed
and paid in. One Of the features
of the drive for the fund is the
number Of small subscriptions sent
in. They come from all classes OF
citizens. The feeling seems 70 be
that in an effort of this kind every
body should be given a chance to
participate In the fight and with
but a comparatively small amount
Of money required the way to do
that is for hundreds to subscribe
rather than the few who could be
depended upon to make up the
amount.
Indications now suggest that
| within the next twenty-four hours
the additional 1000 will have been
contributed Hundreds Of men and
women In the city, 1t Is believed, will
seize the opportunity today to send
in one, two, and five-dollar subscrtp-
tons when they realize the time is
growing short to join in the fight.
According to present plans Chair
man William Nick. Clayton, of the
Federation utilities committee, will
| tonight advance a plan to make up
any shortage of the fund remaining
at that time. The plan Is said to
embrace the apportioning among the
! association members Of the uncon-
tributed balance, the latter to be pro-
rated according to the membership
of each association.
HOuse-tO- House Canvass.
! In Southwest Washington Il house.
toulouse canvass is being made for
contributions to the fund. Informa-
ton that the Merchants and Manu-
facturers Association will act favor
able in contributing to the fund has
been obtained from the association
president, Gen. Anton Stephan.
AS soon as the fund is completed
1t will be turned over to the Public
Utilities Commission to make up
the appropriation Congress failed
to provide for the employment of
special counsel in the case.
, The present campaign is being
waged not only to secure distribu.
. ton of the impounded $4,000, 900
to force the electric company to
charge the rate fixed on the lower
valuation made by the Public Utili-
ties Commission four years ago.