Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-03-07
REGARDS CONGRESS
Indifferent TO D. C.
Conrad Syme Compares Status of
Local Citizens to That of
Stepchildren.
ADDRESSES CITIZENS BODY
Fairness to Railroads, But Better
Service Demanded.

Residents of the District cannot
hope for a reduction in street car
fares nor the prevention Of an in
crease in bus fare if they expect to
get anything worthy of the name of
service, Conrad Syme told members
of the Cathedral Heights Citizens AS
ISOLATION at a meeting in st. Adams
Guild Hall last night. He said he
sometimes thinks the Districts fight
for existence Is hopeless, and that
the citizens are in a little worse con-
dition than stepchildren, due to Con-
gress' Indifference to the District.
Mr.. Syme said that Senator Balls
intentions may be well meant in re-
gard to certain measures now pend
ing in Congress, but he was, at a loss
TO explain how some congressman.
who have been in the city only four
or five years, expect to understand
large number who have lived here
all their lives do not know what
they want. He pointed out that Con-
gresS can force anything on the Dis
trict that they will without regard
- .:epeudency, politically, but they
40 have to 'iepsn1 IN Washington
fc:' all OF their comforts and con-
reniences during Il greater part of
their official lives.
Admits Increased Expenses
If we are to get adequate service
from the public utilities. he said. we
have got to be fair with the COM
panies, as their expenses have in
creased In the same proportion as
have household expenses. He reit-
Grated his contention that there still
are many millions of dollars in
%atered stock in the various utili-
a IF fai ,,,f
be exerted on both sides.
w. ). Torbert, member of the laws
and legislation committee Of the Fed
Grated Citizens Associations urged
the members to fight for the auto
mobile reciprocity bill as originally
presented to Congress by the Com
missioners, stating that the bill as
now amended would interfere with
the 1910 financial arrangement be-
tween the federal and District rov-
ernments. He said this seems to be
a step toward the evasion by Con-
greSs of its part in supporting the
District. A resolution was adopted
fayoring the original bill.
"AbOminable Service. Cited.
A discussion of what was char
acterized as the filthy and dilapi-
dated" condition of the cars and the
abominable service on the Wiscon-
sin avenue line was had, and the
suggestion " as made that tie cars
be cleaned at least once q month
The illegible character Of the street
markers in the territory also was
scored.
The association adopted a resolu-
ton requesting the Commissioners to
reduce to writing the oral agree
ment entered into more than a year
ago for the improvement of Woodley
road.
A resolution of the Manor Park
Citizens Association, asking the CO.
operation of this body in striving to
secure strict adherence to the A
restricted area coming, which applies
70 zones composed of detached houses,
was Endorsed.
Flashes of Action" a motion pic
ture of actual warfare by the Amer
lean expedi.ionary forces in France.
was shown through the courtesy of
the Sigal Corps. Maj. Gen. Eli A
Helmick, president of the associa-
ton, presided.