The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-08
Why Local Utilities Corpora
tons Are Able to Laugh
Their Inside Friends Congress Know How to Trip
the Washington Public.

Former Assistant 0scretary NEWTON of the Treasury,
recently wrote azine article telling how Congress ap
proved plans for big heat light and plant for Federal
departments in Washington; how appropriated,
and lots of the work done how he received tips from fuen
al friends lay off the undertaking. and how the whole
thing finally shelved through influences he fully
fathoed thinks he could put his hands on compelled
to do so.
Mr. Newton ought to be here and see the chuckes
among the big local utilities corporations the the
inside influences Congress put the sds under further
employment CONRAD SYME special counsel for the
Public Utilities Commission in the Potomac Electric Light
before the United States Supreme Court involving mil
lions of dollars in mpounded money in which electric light
have interest besides millions in property
valuation upon which they will have pay increased rates
later on if the company wins
Behind the in Congressional conference the right
party parties stuck sharp knife in appropriation
asked for to continue Mr. syme special counsel in fighting
the local electric light corporation which, be
bered always has the backing of the big electric light interests
every city and State of the Union What affects of
them affects the other and the local corporation sends cut
note Of warning to its friends elsewhere those friends drop
few intimately worded letters their friends in Congress
No powerful influence gives fig leaf for the local
Of electricity The people of the District Of Columbia virtual
~ nothing in Congress Why should they when
congressman stock in electric light companies else
where and those companies subscribe most literally to their
political campaigns?
The cannot course the United States
Supreme Court local courts They wouldn't dare
they thought they succeeded removing this
hugely important local the they feared the
who understood every phase and detail Of the
man who would comageously say that spade was al
spade and throw this every possible light for the
protection Of the general public.
You read the Herald pictures Of Dough and Dubb You
what happens Dubb every day Well the Washington pub
c this matter identical with Dubb gets kicked in
the Stats at every turn Big money triumphs.
Somebody might get Mr. Newton interested in writing
magazine article Washington pubic-Mr Dubb
footbaed five years his
efforts get Congress solve the perpeng railway
problems District that the public would receive some
benefits in lower fares and better service.
Every apparently feasible legislative proposition that seemed
to gain Roadway in Congress which might have given
Washington riders squar dea-was shelved through
various processes delay objection ndecision The problem
stands today did five years ago. when the Public Utilities
Commission and the Washington public began fight to
ineques bring about consolidation and institute
economies that would produce lower fares.
It would be ridiculous say that Congress unable to
dispose of this question through sheer inability solve the
harassng problems Indifference however appeals of the
District together with the indious influences that into
play at just the right moment did the work. The millions
of Mr. Corporation Dough of Importance than
the humble interests Of the street riding patrons.
The vast majority of Senators and Congressman actuate
by honest motives and intentions They would any
thought that they influenced by unworthy
But the who taking of the corporations in
local national do not put conspicuous labels them
selves They work under the gse of logic and They
are always the spot at the propous moment to block
legislation the interests do not want They put forward
involved propositions and urge posponement It's old
and easy game The fixers hard get 1.-The goods
The honest Congressman who fights for what right and
just puzzled He may have his suspicious but he hash
any proof If he did have he wouldn't public
Congressional courtesy demands that you go
with colleagues.
Besides there isn't any Congressman from the District of
Columbia to keep watchful eye the underground work
ings Of certain gentlemen And nobody protect
our legislative interests who else in Congress is sufficiently
concerned to do beyond voting conscience
Mr. Newton barely scratched the crust of the Congressional
earth when he wrote Inside Influences