The Washington times., 1902-03-25
Holds Prof. Hill Account
able for Remarks Charg-
ing Justification.
DECLINES REPLY TO QUERY
s'5of. Hill, CT the Naval Observatory, Ac-
uses the Washington Traction AMI
Electric Company OF Making Incorrect
Reports to Congress.

:ho Washington Traction and Electric
Company. and Prof. G. A. Hill, OF the
Naval Observatory. in the Senate District
Committee yesterday afternoon.
The bill providing for free transfers
between the two street railway systems
of the District was under discussion be
fore a subcommittee. consisting of Sena-
tors Mcmillan and Galiinger. President
Dunlop, OF the Capital Traction Company;
yice President Harries. Capt. Biddle. the
Engineer Commissioner of the District.
and representatives of the Mount Pleas
ant Citizens Association. the Northeast
Washington Citizens Association and the
knights of Labor were in attendance.
Reports Inaccurate.
During one of the early speeches of the
hearing Prof. Hill charged that the re-
ports of the street railway companies to
Congress are not accurate. Gen. Harries
stated to the committee that If the
charge had been made in any other place
he would have held the gentleman who
had made it personally responsible.
rroT Hill later made the charge again.
He proceeded to give an exposition of
one of the reports of Gen. Harries' roads
in support of his statement.
General Harries stated that unless the
professor confined his remarks to more
parliamentary language he would be held
account able for them.
He said that the reports are sworn to,
and that every figure in them is accurate
and fully complies with the laws of Con-
gress.
Later General Harrics refused to an
swer a question put by Pref Hill. stating
that he would have nothing more to do
with him.
Il did not intend my remarks TO be
personal to the gentleman in any way"
said Prof Hiil. Prof. Hill said that he
is an actuary of twenty years expert
encc. and did not withdraw from his as
sertion that the reports are doctored to
benefit one company of the Washington
railway system and hurt another in many
instances.
Bad Temper Displayed
On several ether occasions Senator Nc
MILAN. the chairman of the committee,
was forced TO call different speakers to
order for the lad temper displayed by
them. and the entire meeting a
stormy one. that showed very bitter diff
ference Of opinion between the two sides
of the question.
The bill under discussion was intro
duced by Senator Mcmillan, at the re-
quest of the Mount Pleasant Citizens As
ISOLATION. II has been reported favorably
by the District Commissioners.
1t provides in brief that the Commits
sioners shall have the authority to desig-
nate the points at which free transfers
shall be given by the railways of one sys-
tenn or Of both systems. in order that
passeng gers shall be enabled TO ride from
any point Of the District to any other
point for one fare Under the direction
of the Commissioners the railways are to
be compelled to give transfers at these
points.
Mr.. J. \. Watson, of the Mount Pleasant
Citizens Association, was the first speak
or. He said that citizens of Mount Pleas
ant have only one railway, and that they
are compelled to pay two fares to reach /
many other portions of the city, and that |
in many other instances the same condi |
tons prevail. He argued that the com |
panies would not lose money by giving |
reciprocal transfers. They would increase |
their business largely. he urged. In many |
cases people now walk, or do not make |
trips, because the fare would be two |
tickets, he said, and they would patronize |
the companies if they could ride for one /
ticket
Chaplin Brown Testifes.
He was followed by Mr.. Chaplin Brown, |
who laid especial stress on the suggestion |
that the companies would profit by the
more liberal transfer system IL it were
adopted.
President Dunlop. of the Capital Trac-
ton Company, made strong argument
against the bill. He stated that if his
company were compelled to give transfers
to patrons OF the other system il would |
not be able to pay the present dividends
and keep up the present grade of service |
TO the public.
He called attention to the fact that In
other cities all over the country the rail-
ways receive 5 cents cash for a fare and
that IN some cities they receive 3 cents
fer every transfer issued in addition. He
stated that the system in the District is
the most liberal in the world.
THE patrons of my company are saved
$50, 900 a year by receiving six tickets
for q quarter, where in other cities they
would receive only five" he said IF
IOuEItSS Will allOH the companies 10 |
charge a full scent fare have no doubt |
they will be willing to grant all that this
bill asks for without any new law"
General Harries' Defence.
General Harries stated that his system
IS paying the District i per cent of its {
gross receipts in lieu OF a personal tax, 6
md that in addition it is paying a sum
squal 70 about IL per cent for special v
rossing policemen. He said that he be-
ieved this tax is all that should be ex- I
,ected of il without further agitating the Il
question of free transfers, when promi-
tent members OF Congress had made the r
tatement before this that the present c
raDsfer system OF the company is fool e
SHY liberal. S
Much had been said of the fact that h
esidents in the eastern portion of the
ity cannot now ride either from the
ortheast TO Capitol Hill or from the Hill
0 northeast Washington without paying D
he reason of this is that when the CON- y
anies attempted to exchange transfers II
flowing ride for one fare between the "
go sections II had been found that a !,
reat many people took advantage OF the %
berality OF the companies 10 ride down
OWN and transact business and then ride
ONE for one ticket. {
He stated that detectives had been en- r.,
loyed to investiga.s the matter and that | n