Evening star., 1942-10-21
10 Propose
Gas Suit, Flanagan
Tells Citizens GROUPS
Must Be Convinced of
Rote Squeeze, PUG Chief
Says at Tukomu Park

Chairman James H. Flanagan of
the Public Utilities Commission last
night assured members of the Ia
koma Park ID. CO Citizens Asso-
| citation that he would not hesitate
to recommend litigation in con-
nection with the recently approved
| gas rate increases "if 1 am con-
vinced that a deliberate attempt
is being made to thwart the best
interests of our community"
Making his first appearance as
PUG chairman before civic group.
Mr.. Flanagan commended the zeal
and intimate knowledge displayed
by representatives of citizens
groups who appeared at recent
hearings on gas rates. He also
outlined the sliding scale" formula
and the manner in which it oper-
ates to control gas rates in the
District.
In discussing the recent order of
the Securities and Exchange Com
mission to investigate the relation
ships between the North American
Co. and utilities in the District. the
PUG chairman expressed the hope
that the Potomac Electric Power Co.
will become straight operating
company with no holding company
Affiliations"
Favors Local Ownership.
Many residents of the District"
Mr.. Flanagan said, ARE presumably
] inv in Nf
Washington Gas Light and Capital
Transit companies. There also are
some who hold securities of the Po-
tomac Electric Power Co. However
because of the fact that the common
stock of PEPCO is owned by hold
ing company, there are not so many
investors in the last category as 1
would like to see. 1t is my hope that
before too long a time has passed
PEPCO will become a straight OPP
Grating company with no holding
company affilia tions"
The Takoma Park group Endorsed
the proposed new course of instruc-
ton on the effects of alcohol and
tobacco in the public schools. The
new study outline, prepared by Dr.
James M. Cannon. was approved
late last week by the Board of Edu-
cations Curriculum Committee on
Health and Physical Education of
the Public Schools.
! The associa ton also discussed the
PUC's proposal to eliminate the il
busline which now serves residents
of the Takoma Park area. Mr..
Flanagan declined to discuss this
matter on the ground that the
suggested change is now being con-
sidered by the PUG.
Parking Restriction Asked.
The group also adopted resolu-
ton asking TRAFFIC Director William
A. Van Duzer to prohibit parking
on the south side of Cedar street
between Fourth and Fifth streets
and on the west side of Third street
between the Aspen street underpass
and Whittier street.
The association heard a report
from L. r. Grabill that $l21 had
been collected so far in the salvage
drive. This, money will be dis
tributed among the groups which
participated.
Burt w. Andrews, new president
of the association, read The
Americans Greed" as tribute to
It's author. the late william Tyler
Page.
Besides Mr.. Flanagan. other
guests included E. j. Milligan, exc
cutive secretary of the PUG; Lloyd
B. Harrison. assistant corporation
counsel on utility matters: v. A. Nc
Elfresh, chief PUG accountant; D. j
Locke, chief engineer for the Cap
ital Transit Co.: Carl v. Hickman
and B. K. Perrin, Citizens Associ-
alton of Takoma, D. c.; John
Scott, Manor Park Citizens Associ-
alton, and Samuel A. Swiggett,
secretary of the Brightwood Citi-
zens' Association.
The meeting was held in the Ia
koma Park branch of the Public
. ! 7 ihrory