Evening star., 1927-08-23
One.Man Car Protest
Is Strongly Endorsed
To tho Editor of The Star:

To tho Editor of The Star:
The brief submitted by William
Nick. Clayton before the District Pub
lie Utilities Commission, in which he
challenged the right Of the commits
sion, under the law which created 1t,
to permit the street car companies to
operate one-man cars in the District
without charging less fare than on
cars manned by two trainmen," is to
be highly commended, both as to the
true meaning Of the law and the
timely action taken as chairman of
the public utilities committee Of the
Federation of Citizens Association,
which association is composed Of dele
gates representing these various citi-
zens' associations In the District, a
large majority having gone on record
opposing the operation OF one-man
cars by street railway companies.
Mr.. Clayton's four points, briefly,
are: The large population of Wash
ington entities 1t to metropolitan serv-
ice; that to give parts OF the District
two-man service and the other one
| man service, admittedly inferior" all
for the same fare, was discrimination
and was forbidden by act of Congress;
that the economy plea" in extenua-
ton was not permissible until first a
merger had been brought about with
which to effect major economies, and
that the companies threat" of higher
car fares, If not permitted more one
man cars, should not be considered,
because under the law the commission
must consider service and rates of
fare separately. These four important
points are hereby recommended to all
citizens associations for reference in
public utility questions arising in the
future.
The leading question is, "Are the
people of Washington entitled to ade-
quate service as separate and distinct
Yes" Why? Because Washington
is the seat Of Government. and those
employed in the governmental service
should receive due consideration. Ex-
pediency should be taken into consid-
Grafton. Government clerks must use
street cars in going to and from their
places Of employment, and they must
be on time in the morning hours espe-
cially. Salaries also must be taken
into consideration as to the increase
in car fares. The one-man cars will
not give service Of eXpediency. the
twoman cars giving much more eX-
pedient service, as is well known.
The handling Of people is great
eXpediency are two most important
features that should be taken into con-
sideration.
Some time back the Public Utilities
Commission had before it for consid-
Grafton the operation of more oneman
cars by the street railway companies,
and after due and careful deliberat ton,
including the viewing of the operation
of one.man cars with rear exits, re-
fused to grant the request. Why at
this time a change of attitude?
1t is unfair. to operate the One-man
cars on lines of the several sections of
the city where they are undesirable.
The commission is aware that citi-
zens' associations by large majority
are on record opposing the operation
of the one-man cars.
We are with Mr.. Clayton when he
SAYS: "If the street car companies
cannot afford to give us twoman cars,
it is not for them to demand that the
commission permit One-man cars as
an economy but it is their place to
come in here and ask for higher rate
Of fare, so that we can meet that
issue squarely and as separate ques-
tion." j. CLINTON HIATT,
Secretary Washington Public Safety
Association.