The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-01-18

III poor persons cannot afford to invest
Is cents for tickets, I think the matter
should be equalized by making local
street car fares . cents nat with univer-
sal transfers, declared Representative
Sims yesterday afternoon. This was after
the District Committee had had another
session with Vice President Harries, Of
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company.
The companies admit that most of the
b-cent fares are paid by poor persons.
Hence. I contend that the straight fare,
with universal transfers, should be given
TO them. ! believe that unless a point of
order is raised when that matter comes
10 the floor of the House, It viii pass
easily 7 do not know what the commit
tee viii do. but I believe this 10 be the
sentiment in the House"
Other members Of the committee do not
agree with Mr.. Sims At the hearing on
Thursday. afternoon. the officials of a
number OF citizens associations said that
what they all wanted was an extension
and improvement OF the service Further
they did not believe there was any public
sentiment for either lower fares or the
universal transfers. II the extensions are
so made that the companies do not have
monopolies in particular localities, and
especially in the northeast
Committee Seeks Opinions.
Members of the committee are extreme
ly anxious TO get the right angle On the
public sentiment in regard 10 this ques-
ton before any action is taken, and it
was ntimated by a number of them yes
terday that they would be greatly pleased
10 get expressions from the local citizens
on that question.
Al the hearing In the morning. when
President Harries again went before the
committee. he made one statement that
created not a little surprise in the COM
mittee. That statement was:
Regulations with reference TO a COM
pulsory sinking fund. which the Inter
state Commerce Commission proposes 10
enforce upon the electric roads of the
country, viii put % per cent Of them out
uf business"
The committee made no inquiry as TO
whether or net that action would affect
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company. for the reason that for the past
several days the committee has heard
much about depreciation and deficit from
the vice president of the company.
During the hearing, Mr. Sims insisted
upon putting questions concerning the
financial management of the company,
in line with questions upon which he has
Insisted for the past three years. He in
Inmates that there are questionable trans
actions concerning the management of
both companies that ought to see the
light Of day.
Would Extend Lines.
During the hearing, Mr.. Taylor, of Ohio.
asked about the proposition that was
made by President Dunlop, of the Capt.
tai Traction Company. to the effect that
his company was ready and willing 10
make the extensions asked by the
citizens association. In reply to this
question. Mr.. Harries said that his COM
pany was ready TO make extensions when
Il was within its means 10 DO so.
Replying to a question by Represent
alive Kahn, OF California, as To whether
or not a ride of fourteen miles could be |
taken in Washington on one fare, Gen. !
HaTTies said there was-the ride from
Congress Heights 10 the District line on (
the Tennallytown line. This question was
raised by the statement Thursday by one
OF the speakers that he did not believe
there could be such a ride taken on one
fare. In a reply 10 a question of Repre- |
sentative COUdTey, Of Missouri, Gen Har- |
Ties said that the two companies could /
complete tracks 10 the New Union Sta
ton within sixty days.
Upon the adjournment It was an /
nounced that there will be another meet
ing OF the committee next Wednesday II /
is quite likely that within the next fort |
night bill will be reported by the COM
mittee that will provide for the tracks /
10 the New Union Station and for the ex-
tensions that have been asked in the |
nos-fba