The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-19

The new transfer schedule adopted by
the Washington Traction and Electric
Company on August IS, curtailing the
transfer privileges materially, and the an
nouncement of the syndicate that it viii
charge double fare on soEe Of the sub
urban lines after September 1, have been
almost the only developments worth men
tioning in the local business world. The
position of the company, stated briefly, is
that it has not been earning any money
under the old liberal transfer system and
with only a single fare for the trip from
suburbs to city. AS to this proposition
there is little room for doubt. AS was
shown by the reports of the syndicate
lines to Congress at the end of the year
1899, the number Of passengers hauled on
all the lines was greatly increased, while
the receipts from passengers were actually
less. This fact is directly traceable to
the wide transfer system under which
millions of tickets and cash fares were lost
because transfers could be obtained for
nothing by the passengers.
IS to the wisdom OF the syndicate in
curtailing the transfer privileges some
what, very few practical business men
seem disposed to question II. Poss bly,
the company has gone too far. Possibly 1t
has gone so far as to break the law. But
1t would seem evident that passengers
cannot be hauled ali day for one fare, or
any considerable part OF a day, except at
loss. The haul from the District line
on Seventh Street extended down Seventh
to Florida Avenue, and thence to Ninth
and F Streets, and the continuation of the
same ride on the Metropolitan line and the
Washington and Great Falls line TO the
District boundary in the extreme north
ill
is too long TO be profitable for the COM
pany for one fare.
AS to the proposition to increase the fare
on the suburban lines there is much more
reason for complaint. The company has
probably made mistake here in hunting
around for way to increase its revenues.
Aside from the i'll will that the move will
secure for the company from the suburbs,
and aside from the chance that Congress
may be persuaded to retaliate, 1t is Sc
riously to be doubted II the move would
increase the revenues of the syndicate
materially, or for any longer than a very
few months People would be induced to
move back to town from the suburbs with
out doubt, and others would be kept from
buying and renting suburban homes. Still
others would be driven to find homes on
the Capital Traction lines. This is not a
theory, but TACT easily QemOnStr aDle
from former experiences. Brightwood and
Takoma Park and Tenleytown would all
be retarded in their growth by the charge
of double fare, and thus the only posi-
bility of the suburban lines ever being
made to pay their way would be lost. It
is not to be questioned that the syndicate
has a difficult proposition before 1t to make
the suburban lines pay at best They have
not ever done sc in the past Some OF
them have paid operating expenses and
little better. and some of them have not
even paid operating expenses. to say moth
ing of interest on their bonds and divi-
dends on their stocks.
The bonds of the Washington Traction
and Electric Company are not listed on
the Washington Stock Exchange. though
there has been some investment In them
by local capitalists. There has been some
unfavorable comment on this fact and it
would seem that the syndicate should con-
sideF the question Of listing them. 1t mas
be noted that some conservative brokers
here do not hesitate to advise the purchase
of the bonds at their present price around
20 for investment
il is noted that both the Mergenthaler
and Lanston type machines received awards
at the Paris Exposition. This is interest
ing. and 1t will probably give holders o.;
Lanston stock much satisfaction. II world
seem to be doubtful, however II their
citation over the award win quite Offset
the feeling of disquiet that must accom-
pany the steady decline in the stock.