The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-17
Will FIGHT
CASE IN
CQ|IIR
Federation Meets Tonight to
Push Enterprise z, 900
Needed.

Methods Of raising the $4,000 Of
the $4,000 needed to pay Conrad
81. Syne, special counsel for the
Public Utilities Commission in the
Potomac Electric Company yalua-
ton case, to continue his work. for
smother year, beginning next July,
probably will Be discussed tonight
when the Federation 81 Citizens
Associations meets iii the board
room of the District building.
5000 Fund IL Needed.
The washington Times and The
Washington Herald were authorized
yesterday BY William Randolph
Hearst To contribute ST. 900 toward
the $1,000. this money. to be avail
able when the remaining 1900 is
raised BY citizens.
=; Gyme for the past six years haE
been fighting this case. When he
resigned his post as Corporation
Counsel several years ago, the Utili-
ties Commission retained him as
special counsel III this case. Re-
Gently, however, Congress inserted
tion bill which provided that no
part Of the commissions money
could go to special counsel, thereby
cutting off Eyme's salary.
Syme, who is thoroughly ac-
quaipted with this case. is needed
BY the people Of Washington to
continue to fight the case in the
United States Supreme Court. An
ampounded: fund or $4,000 ;OO0 ii In.
volved. II the District should lose
the case. the people would lose
these millions Of dollars. The
money instead would go to the cleo
trio light company. II the District
wins the money will be distributed
among the citizens.
Throughout the city eleven citi.
Xens' organizations have gone on
record In support of the proposal
TO raise the salary Of EyIne by pub
lie subscription and thereby enable
the special counsel to carry on the
fight.
Favored by Citizens.
The Citizens Federation is ex-
pected to take some action on the
proposition tonight. The associa-
ton has always been vigorous in
oil public utilities matters and to.
might is expected to make some
definite move toward aiding In the
raising of the needed $1,000.
The Central Citizens Association
last night went on record as favor.
Ing the retention Of Syme. Thomas
]. DonOvan. president, offered the
following resolution. which was
passed:
Resolved, That the Central Citi-
gems Association joins with kindred
citizens associations in requesting
Mr.. Syme to continue the work he
has started, and that we pledge this
association in every effort that may
be made to see that reasonable and
sufficient compensation will be
guaranteed to Mr.. Syme for his
work: and be 1t further
Resolved. That our delegates to
the Federation OF the Citizens As
@ociations be requested to bend every
effort to make this purpose a unani-
NOUS one among the associations
that are not run for the profit OF the
various members as other bodies
that have heretofore taken action on
this and similar proposals. where the
whole people are interested.
The association recognized Syme's
services in the following resolution
LIE AbS0ClAIlOu IN common Win
numerous bodies OF unselfish organ.
izations that have manifested In.
terest in behalf of Conrad Syme are
grateful to him for his broad and
constructive work IN. protecting the
interests OF the citizens of Wash
angton from the rapacious greed OF
the public service corporations al
exemplified in the consistent work
which he has done for the past si1
years In promoting to the Supreme
Court the campaign to curtai
profits. of an exorbitant character
Trade Bodies Refuse.
Several weeks ago Engineer Com
missioner Charles Keller, In q let
ter to the Board OF Trade and
Chanaber OF Commerce, called atten
ton to the loss OF Syme,s service
through the clause In the ammo
priation bill. He suggested tha,
these bodies might raise sufficIen,
money to continue another wear
He said that about $4,000 would he
needed to continue his services. Fl,
pointed out that the loss of Syme',
service at this time would d.
iFreparable damage to the peonl.
q the District IN the utilities.
Neither of these trade bodies
however, took favorable action o.
the proposal.