Evening star., 1928-02-22
FLEHARTY TO TELL
OF MERGER ON AIR.
Peoples Counsel Will Reveal
His Position on Plan
Over WRHF.

Radio is to be employed by Ralph 3.
Fleharty, peoples counsel before the
Public Utilities Commission, to tell the
public what he thinks OF the street car
merger agreement now pending before
the Public Utilities Commission.
Mr.. Flcharty revealed today that he
will 90 before the microphone of
WHRF, the American BroadcaSting Co.
station, Friday evening at 6 o'clock, TO
explain the features of the merger plan
and to outline the objections he has
found to it. after a thorough analysis
of the various details. AS the publics
counsel before the commission, Mr..
Fleharty also intends to appeal TO the
various organizations In the District in
terested in the merger, as we'll as indi-
viduals, to send to him their objections
to the proposed plan of consolidation, so
that he will be in better position to
protect their interests when the hear
ings on the agreement get under way
before the Utilities Commission. Feb
ruary 29
Establishes Precedent.
Incidentally, Mr.. Fleharty's appear
ance before the nicrophone will mark
his radio debut, and at the same time
1t will set a precedent in the annals Of
the municipal government. Never be-
fore. it was said. has an official Of the
District government adopted radio as
a medium for making known his po-
siti0n with respect To nomentouS CUES
tlOnS
Aside from Mr.. Fieharty's forthcom-
Ing radio talk. merger interest Is GEN.
tered on simultaneous meetings tomor-
row night Of the Citizens Advisory
Council and the public utilities COM
mittee of the Federation Of Citizens
Association, at which the proposed con-
solidation Of the transit lines is to be
the topic OF discussion.
The utilities committee of the fed
Grafton already has drafted its program
Of opposition to the merger agreement
which involves 10 specific objections
and its session tomorrow night, ii Is
understood, has been called Tor The pur-
pose of adopting tactics TO get the
federation's support when II meets in
O special merger session Saturday night
in the board room of the District Build
ing A bitter fight is anticipated al this
meeting in view Of the efforts made at
the meeting Of the federation last Sat-
urday night TO prevent the report Of
the utilities committee from being con-
Sidered.
Resignation Threatened.
William Mckinley Clayton. veteran
Of many battles on the floor Of the
federation over public utilities affairs.
has served notice that unless the Or
ganisat!on definitely commits itself on
the merger agreement Saturday night.
the utilities committee. OF which he Is
Will resign Immediately. Mr..
CLAYTON has charged that lobby. guild
ed by Harley p Wilson. principal own
or Of the Washington Rapid Transit
Co, and author of the merger plan. Is
working among the federation delegates
10 check the utilities committee from
carrying out its program OF opposition.
The utilities committee Of the fed
Grafton also has planned. Mr.. Clayton
said To request James G. Yadcn. presi-
dent. to relinQuisn the chair AZ the Spe-
cial merger meeting becai,se OF his COLI
ucction with the Washington Rapid
Transit Co. Mr.. Yaden sS u member
ot the board Of directors OF the bus
concern.
The Citizens Advisory Council has
not yet considered the merger agret~
mcnt and It's discussion tomorrow night
Will mark It's initial contact with the
plan OF consolidation. Earl Y, Fisher.
executive secretary OF the Public tti-
iticS Commission. has been requested 10
attend and explain certain features cf
the agreement, bat the council is not
expected 10 make known It's position NJ
this time. The council VIII, IL was SAID,
devote its attention chiefly 10 the SlO,-
900 900 valuation claimed by The transit
companies on their properties outside
of the District.