The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-11
VICIOUS JOKER
| SEEN IN PLANS
| BY CONGRESS
Corporation Kept Lawmakers
Should Be Rail- Ridden, Says
|, Prominent Citizens Leader
PUBLIC IS NOW HELPLESS
Killing Of So, 600 Counsel Fee
/ Item May Cost Citizens.
/ 100000, He Explains

Insertion Of the amendment to
che District appropriation bill for
bidding the Public Utilities Conn
mission to employ special counsel
70 defend the valuation suit
against the Potomac Electric
Power Company represents one Of
the most reprehensible efforts that
Congress has ever made to block
the fight for lower rates on pub
lie utilities.
This statement was made yes
terday by w. B. Westlake, for
three years president Of the Fed
Grafton Of Citizens Associations,
and present head Of the Connects
cut Avenue Citizens Association.
CALLS IN TANPERTNG.
Furthermore, Mr.. Westlake point
Cd out It Is apparent that local
utility interests have been active In
trying to prevent & decision Of the
valuation case upon Its merits. The
history Of the Congressional fight
TO XIII the $4,000 appropriation for
employing special counsel, he de.
clared, Is uninistalxable proof Of an
underhand tampering with legisla,
ton.
Urging the people 81 the District
to overcome the handicap imposed
BY Congress, Mr.. WestIake declared
that It Is "iip to the citizens who
are taxed by the utility corporations
TO raise the necessary money and
retain Conrad Syme as special
counsel for the Public Utilities Com
= ~
Unless this is done, Mr.. Westlake
asserted the one man who is Ia
mtliar with all the facts in the case
now pending before the United
States Supreme Court will be unable
to continue the valuation fight.
LEAVES CITY HELPLESS.
This will leave the District prac-
tically helpless before the trained at
eorneys Of the Potomac Electric Com
pany It probably win cost District
citizens $4,000, 900 or the sum which
the corporation win have to return
TO consumers If the ruling of the
utilities commission Ii upheld.
Mr.. Westlake called attention to-
the action of the House In knocking
out the appropriation for special
counsel and inserting an amendment
6orbidding the. use OF utility cOm-
mission funds for employing Mr..
Syme. This amendment, which was
stricken out by the Senate commit
tee, was reinserted In conference
after the bill had passed both
Houses.
In view Of the fact that this in.
wolves not only the $4,000, 900 excess
electricity charges, but also millions
Of dollars based upon future valua-
~ he
Mr. Westlake charged that the &C.
ton Of Congress is particularly hurt
full.
Declaring that such an attitude OF
some congressman toward the Dis
tfict merits their being ridden on
Q rail, Mr.. WestlAke said:
FAVORS RAIL RIDING.
Either some provision must Be
Ertct some voice In nlanaginr tNeSr
own affairs, especially on CaDifOI
HiIl, Or sooner or later some Of fhesa
congressman will be ridden out az
town on rail just as they would
DO At homo IL they attempted to
enact in State legislatures the things
which they impose on the people Of
the District through Congress-
The attitude OF Congress in dealing
with the public utility problem of
the District, according to Mr.. West.
lake, has been fraught with pre.
JUDGE in favor Of the corporations.
The worst enemies Of the people
are the men who come to Congress-
from districts where corporations are
in control and who do not lose an
opportunity to assist corporations
here by legislative acts. The block
ing Of the fight waged by Mr.. Syrne
IL striking example.
REGARDED AS VICIOUS.
This was one OF the most un.
warranted and vicious acts which
could be done to the people of Wash.
tngton especially in view of the fact
mat this is a critical period in the
litigation involving millions of dol
Aars OF the peoples money.
Mr.. Westlake declared that he
would cooperate with William r.
Guoe In having the Chamber of Com
merce reconsider the action of its
board OF directors In refusing the
request OF Col. Charles Keller. chair.
man OF the utilities commission.
rms request. it is recalled. was to
nelp In raising a public fund with
which to continue Mr.. SWINE at his
work In the Valuafin,, v,raonnS,-..