The Washington herald., 1907-01-12

hearing before the Commissioners yester-
day morning. Arguments by representative
citizens in favor Of the adoption of the
universal transfer system were met with
statements by George T. Dunlop. presi-
dent Of the Capital Traction Company,
and Gen. George II. Harries. vice presi-
dent Of the Washington Railway and
Electric Company that the proposed leg
islation would impose murdens upon the
street railway companies such as the
street railway systems Of 10 other city
in the country have TO encounter.
Objection TO section Of the Madden bin
which fixes the time schedule for night
service was made by J. Nota McGill, OF
the Cathedral Heights Citizens Associa-
ton
Mr.. McGiH favored an amendment CIV
ing the Commissioners power 10 make
schedules, saying IT is unreasonable 20 ask
the traction companies 20 run all night
cars on suburban lines or to force them
to run cars every Eve minutes during the
day. Mr.. McGH also suggested that sec
ton Of the Madden bill, which provides
a general penalty for violations. be
amended so as to provide a specific
penalty IN each instance.
Calls Present Transfer Reasonable.
The present street car transfer privi-
leges were declared TO be as liberal as
those OF any city in the United States by
W +. Ham, comptroller Of the Washing
ton Railway and Electric Company The
issuing Of transfers on the present basis,
said Mr Ham, made the cost OF trans
portatlon 20 the public about 3 cents. and
if universal transfers were adopted 1t
would mean a cutting down OF receipts.
Col Dunlop, OF the Capital Traction
Company, said that universal transfers
would mean a continuous ride FOR one
fare which system would mean great
hardship and loss TO the companies.
IN response 10 a question Of Commis-
sioner Macfarland as % whether this
could be regulated. col Dunlop replied:
"As a railroad manager, 1 would Ike you
20 show me how 20 do IT, Il would be i'm
possible. There IS no demand for univer-
sal transfers-look at the small BODY OF
people here. The proposition IS unreason- |
able"
The proposed further extension 0f the
Fourteenth street line. which viii cost
500 G11 Col Dunlop stated. could not be
made II the universal transfer bill be
comes a law. The same proposition, be
said, applied % improvements Of the sys-
TEN in the northeast section.
Replying 10 Commissioner West. Col.
Dunlop said that the recent extension on
Fourteenth street was not paid for out of
the profits. the money being borrowed
from the banks. Four per cent. he said.
he considered adequate for the privilege
of occupying the streets a scent fare
with universal transfers. he declared, /
would mean that IT would be impossible
TO operate the system.
Nr. Oyster Asks "a Question.
T. w Oyster. of the Petworth Citizens
Association, inquired OF the railroad men
why II the value Of the traction lines is
$l7,50o0oo, the public pays a rate Of fare
that requires dividends on capitalization
Of S50.91o.GJo The question was unan-
swered.
The statement Of Col Dunlop tha; the
small attendance at the hearing indicated
lack of interest In the question OF uni
versaI transfers was challenged by "
Mckay clayton, Of the Brlghtwood Park
Citizens Association. This is'not a mass
meeting. said Mr. Clayton. HAD such a /
meeting been called the entire building
would have been filed to overffowing. /
This is q meeting made up of representa-
tive citizens from the entire community"
". r. GUIDE, Of the Petworth Citizens
Association, criticised the Capital Trac-
tiou Company in comparison with the
washington Railway and Electric Com
pany
A F. Klnnau. Of the Brookland Ciu-
zens' Association, ". Mckay Clayton. OF
the Brightw0od Citizens Association ". /
II. Tucker. Of the Northeast Washington
Citizens Association. and w F. GUIDE. of
the Petworth Citizens Association. an /
uounced that the organizations they rep
resent are in favor of the bill
5. S0werbutts, of the Northeast Citi- /
zens' Association. declared himself in (
favor Of ten tickets for - cents, and no /
transfers. John Emory. of the North I
Washington Citizens Association. said he 4
was in favor of empowering the Commis- /
sioners TO regulate public facilities.
Hard on Conductors, Says Harries. /
Gen. George II. Harries presented n I
statement at the close Of the arguments /
OF the representatives Of the citizens as /
sociations. The Madden bin, he said, pre- |
scented operating difficulties not con !
sidercd by the general public. Forty-two I
transfers out Of one hundred. he said, are 1
issued TO passerger The issuing of uni /
versal transfers at every point Of inter +
section. he stated, would compel the use
OF a transfer as large as sheet Of blot
ting paper, and add TO the duties Of the /
already overburdened conductor.
In reply TO a question of Commissioner
Macfarland as to his opinion regarding
the franchises given to the railroad COM
paries, Gen. Harries said:
THAT depends very much on the legis-
lation granting these franchises. Our
stockholders are continually asking,
What is Congress going TO do? This
uncertainty makes 1t almost impossible to
place an estimate on the value of the
franchises. 1t is impossible to get New
York capitalists to invest in Washington
for that very reason. They are afraid Of
legislation"
The proposition TO tax the companies 20
per cent OF their gross receipts, Cen
IIarries said he regarded as a Joke. The +
tax last ye8r Of SOS, ,327 he considered rea- h
s0nable.
The Commissioners announced at the Il
close Of the hearing that the arguments |,
presented would be taken under considera-
ton. Ii
Friends Surprise Pastor.
=. v. Charles +. Winbigler. pastor Of the
rs Baptist Church. Sixteenth and O
northwest was rendered a sur
hts home Tuesday evening last.
-T,s.F. -