The Washington times., 1937-01-04
CIVIC GROUPS
PUSH APPEALS
0R$1PASS
By A. J. DRIsCOLL
Citizens Associations Editor

Restoration Of the 81 weekly
pass by the Capital Transit Com
pany and a reduction in the basic
rate Of income return allowed the
Potomac Electric Power Company
from 61a to per cent on the
agreed valuation Of its plant, was
urged by the Federation Of Citi-
Zens' Associations, at a meeting
Saturday night in the United
States Chamber Of Commerce
Building.
Both measures were introduced
by William NICK. Clayton, veteran
chairman Of the utilities commit
tee of the federation, who voiced
regret that the Public Utilities
Commission had so readily acqul-
esced in the company's decision
to abandon the 81 pass. He argued
that q universal $1.25 pass, to
which the company has now re-
stricted its riders, would mean an
increase in the company revenue
of $1,000,000 annually. c. D.
Franks, a member of Clayton's
committee, questioned the state
ment and insisted the company
would stand to lose money by the
elimination of the pass.
Interest Rates Cut
The resolution was finally
adopted, after all reference to the
$125 pass was deleted, because 1t
might imply that the federation
favored its abolition from those
suburban sections served mainly
by buses, whose patrons favor the
higher rate, principally on account
of the type of service furnished.
In demanding a cut in the rate
of return to the power company,
Clayton pointed out that during
the last year interest rates on
money throughout the country had
been substantially reduced, but un-
der a sliding scale arrangement be-
tween the company and the Public
Utilities Commission a rate of 612
per cent was allowed, which he
held was too high, asserting that
dividends to stockholders have
average as high as 80 per cent
per year. BY unanimous vote the
resolution was adopted.
On a motion by Burd w. Payne,
President Roosevelt was urged at
his earliest convenience to fill the
vacancy in the office Of peoples
counsel.
Diphtheria Vaccine Asked
DR.. Charles B. Campbell. chair
man on public health, asked the
federation, through its unit bodies,
to urge immuniZation of all school
children against diphtheria. He
revealed that in less than a year
there were TOO cases in the District
which resulted in % deaths, con-
traSted with New York city with
only 851 cases and 35 deaths.
David Babp, secretary, requested
approval Of a resolution from the
Petworth Citizens Association, call
ing for the election of the Board
Of Education, two civilian Commits
sioners and a city council, with
power to levy, collect and disburse
taxes. On a point of order by M.
M. Mclean that it had received
no committee action, the proposal
was recommitted.
Jesse C. Suter informed the
meeting that a joint resolution,
providing for national representa-
ton for the District, would be in
troduced during next session of
Congress.
Committee Heads Named
President Thomas E. Lodge an
nounced the following appoint
mentS as committee chairmen:
George E. Sullivan, law and leg
islation; Mr.. Clayton, public utili-
ties; DR.. Campbell, public health;
Arthur Adelman, highways, parks
and waterways; H. c. Phillips, edu-
cation; James F. Duhamel, public
celebrations; A. H. Gregory, mem.
bership and credentials; John A.
Remon, public welfare; Fred S.
Walker, police and fire protection;
w. c. Magathan, auditing and ex-
aiming; Henry I. Quinn, coming;
L. A. Carruthers, fiscal relations;
Miss Eta L. Taggart, national
representation; Kenneth P. Arm
strong, city planning; Mr.. Babp,
local suffrage .and Harry S. Wen
der, safety.