Evening star., 1942-11-08

sSAs~>~AS~~->>-~>o
come from residents of Southeast
inst the action Of the Public Utilities
Increase have been voiced by the
r protests from that part of the city
nd Randle Highlands Citizens Asso-
ncil of Citizens Associations.
NC on the gas rate case reveal that
the Fort Davis group was the only
citizens association to have repre-
sentatives testify. Chillum Heights.
which takes in territory in Northeast
and Northwest sections, had an OBJ
server present.
Rehearing Is Refused.
The PUG has refused to accede
to demands Of the Once Of Price
Administration for reopening OF the
entire case, and indications are the
issue may be taken to the courts.
At hearing September 30. Will
liam A. Duvall, representing the Fort
Davis group, opened the case for the
public by attacking the commission
for what he said was its failure to
give the public adequate time to pre-
pare its arguments.
Mrs. Mabel I. Morris. secretary
of the Fort Davis Association, also
testified. She declared that an in
crease in gas rates would open the
door" for a request for increased
rates for other utility companies
"all over the country"
Following the hearings, Mrs. Nor
ris issued a statement as spokesman
for the Fort Davis Association in
which she charged that the high
handed manner of conducting hear
ings and the majority decision in
the case clearly indicates that citi-
zens of the District can get little
support from the commission as it Is
now constituted"
"By majority decision" Mrs.
Morris statement read. "the Public
Utilities Commission, on the basis OF
practically no investigation at all,
has granted an increase in gas rates
for the District, thereby clearing the
way for all other utilities to request
increases so that they, too, may pass
their increased taxes on to the con-
sumers, who must pay their own
higher taxes without increased COM
pensation.
Charges Indifference.
members of the Fort Davis Citi-
zens' Association find it difficult to
believe that public officials can be
so Indifferent to the public interest
and so unsympathetic with the ef-
forts of the administration to hold
down the cost of living, when evi-
6ence in the case so clearly showed
that there should be decrease IN
rates."
Mrs. Morris said yesterday that
the association was supporting the
action of OPA in its efforts to re-
open the case Quoting PUG Chair
man James H. Flanagan as stating
that rates here are the lowest on the
eastern seaboard, Mrs. Morris said
she had cited figures from the Fed
eral Power Commission in challeng-
ing him. 1t was her understanding
she said, that both Baltimore and
Philadelphia have lower rates for
gas used for heating.
In an interview with The Star
early In October, John j. Watson.
president of the Anacostia Citizens
Association declared that zone Of
the greatest problems of the asso-
citation is the question OF an in
crease in gas rates. If an increase
were granted at this time, 1t would
be kicking the door wide open for
all utilities to ask an increase. 1t
would be unfair to ask the inclusion
of Government taxes, for that would
settle all taxes on the citizens"
The PUG also has received let
ter of protest from the Randle High
lands group. Last week the South
east Council, made up of repre-
sentatives of IL associations, voted
to oppose the increase in rates. All
of the constituent bodies of the
council, however, have not taken
action.
Other Protests.
Spokesman for several aSsocia-
tions, among them Sixteenth Street
Heights and Logan-Thomas Circle,
said that while their groups had
taken no action in the matter, they
felt certain number of the mem
bers opposed an increase. At least
three Northwest groups, the Citi-
zens' Forum OF Columbia Heights,
Columbia Heights and Mid City AS
sociations have expressed opposi-
ton to higher gas rates. Chillum
Heights has also expressed opposi-
ton.
On the other hand, a number Of
the associations report either that
the question has been discussed and
no action taken or simply that the
problem has not come before the
group.
Harry c. Grove, president of ths
Connecticut Avenue Association, re-
marked that his group had not
considered it since the Federal Gov
ernment got in It," Under the
circumstances, Mr.. Grove said, hi,
personal view was that the asso-
cations views wouldn't carry
much weight one way or the other.
Other groups which reported nc
action taken as yet included Chevy
Chase, Friendship, Cathedral
Heights Cleveland Park, Congress
Heights, Mount Pleasant. Burroughs
Benning, Glover Park, Manor Park
Southwest, Stanton Park and Forest
Hills.
Carl o. Romberg, president oi
Burleith, said that the gas rate
question would come up for gen.
eral discussion" at the groups meet.
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