Evening star., 1932-06-05
Report Says Company Earned
13.47 Per Cent for Four
Months of 1882.
COMMITTEE TO ATTEND
TELEPHONE HEARINGS
Valuation as Soon as Possible
Urged-Death Penalty for
Kidnapers Approved.

The Federation of Citizens ASSocia-
tions, in its closing meeting of the sea-
Son last night, demanded by unanimous
vote an immediate reduction of gas
rates after hearing a report from its
Public Utilities Committee listing large
increases in the rate of return earned
by the Washington Gas Light Co.
In making his report for the COM
mittee, William NICK. Clayton, chair
man, said If George A. G. Wood were
still president of the company. the
federation would go about its duties
reluctantly, but "after what has hap
pened. We do it with alacrity and de-
light" Mr.. Woods successor was named
last week
According to the figures presented
by the committee. the rate of return
earned by the company on an undepre-
ciatad valuation of S21.000000 in the
first four months of 1882 was 13.47 per
cent while the rate for the II months
ended last April was 1924 per cent
Mr.. Clayton said this year the people
have been paying the company 100000
a month in excess of a per cent
return.
Will Attend Hearings.
The federation also authorized the
Utilities Committee to appear at public
hearings on reduced telephone rates
before the Public Utilities Commission
June Is to demand substantial reduc-
tionS.
An amendment to the committee re-
port. offered by George E. Sullivan, urg-
ing a valuation of the telephone COM
pany IS soon as possible, without
prejudfcing the prior question of an i'm
mediate rate reduction, also was adopt
ed The vote on both amendment and
committee report was unanimous.
TIE federation instructed the Util-
ities Committee to write letter to the
commission calling attention to the fac.
that under the public utilities act the
commission may grant hearings on pro-
posed changes in legislation. and that
in the case of the Capper bill to change
the system of taxing utilities. the COM
mission had heard the views of the util-
itlcs only and had not invited the peo-
pes counsel or any other representative
of the public to be present.
Holding that the maintenance and il
Elimination of the street car loading
platforms are the heritage and duty
of the car companies, the federation
adopted resolution favoring theiI
maintenance at the expense Of the com-
panies.
Favors Death for Kidnapers.
The federation approved. with certain
amendments. a bill to regulate the busi-
ness of executing criminal bonds in the
District. and also the Thatcher bill max
ing kidnapping in the District subject tC
the death penalty. An amendment tc
tal,a Ill tn1 rriyriy, q
the court discretion to impose fine not
to exceed $4,000 in cases where parent
kidnaps his own child or other similar
extenuating circumstances are present.
w. J. Neal of North Cleveland Park
offered a resolution commencing Repre-
sentative Mary Norton. Democrat, OF
New Jersey, for her work as chairman
of the House District Committee. How
ever James G.. Yaden, PetWorth, called
attention to the fact District legisla-
tion in the House was endangered be-
cause of a personal feud between two
members Of Congress, without naming
them
Mr.. Clayton then said the federation
was in delicate position. I'VE are in
formed" he said, that Mrs. Norton
tells the House she speaks for the peo-
pie of the District, and that a distin-
guished gentleman from Texas tells the
House this is not so. that it is he who
speaks for the organized citizens of the
District In this condition it is an ex-
tremely delicate matter to cast bou-
quet at the one without being accused
OF having cast brickbat at the other" "
Thomas E. Lodge, American Univer-
sity Park. solved the problem by NOV
ing to lay the matter on the table,
which was done.
Charles l. Stengel former delegate
and now press Representative Of the
District Bicentennial Commission,
urged delegates to attend the celebra-
tions of Flag day, June IA, and Inde-
pSSndence day I1Ilv 4