Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-08
ASK FOR 5 FARE ZONES
HEARING AT RICHMOND ON
PLANT OF GREAT FALLS ROAD.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

| SpcS'ai bispdtCu " luc STAR
RICHMOND, Va, January s.-Hearing
was had yesterday before the state cor
poration commission at Richmond in the
state capitol of the application of the
Great Falls and Old Dominion Railroad
Company for the privilege of increasing
| its rates of fare between the south end
of Aqueduct bridge and Great Falls, a
distance of about fifteen miles. Here
| tofore this territory has consisted of four
| fare zones, upon each of which a car
! ticket or I'VE cents was required of each
passenger. 1t was contended by the rail-
road company that the revenue under
| existing conditions was not sufficient and
| it petitioned the commission to allow
them to divide their territory into five
fare zones charging a straight fve-cent
fare on each zone.
Against the proposed action a large
number of protests from Alexandria coun-
ty and vicinity were filed with the COM
mission, and Mr. r. W. Lyon of the inter-
state commerce commission was appointed
counsel to appear on behalf of the people
and protest against the increase. Mr..
Lambert. in his opening statement to the
commission. stated that the road had
been built and double with the
very best material obtainable. at a cost
of about one million dollars. and that
although operations had started in March,
1906. but small profit had been realized
by the company over and above actual
operating expenses, and that the present
arrangement, after considerable delibera
ton, had been decided upon as the only
alternative in the interest of both the
railroad company and the people.
Mr.. Lyon insisted that no railroad was
expected to make any profit the first few
years of it's existence. and insisted that
the road continue its present arrangement
for year or so longer.
Judge Prentiss of the commission in
quired as to whether the free transfers
would be continued between the Great
Falls and Old Dominion Company and the
Capital Traction Company. saying that
that would have considerable bearing
upon the action of the commission upon
the application.
Contract for Transfers.
Mr., Lambert advised the commission
that they had ten years contract with
the Capital Traction Company for the
transfers, and that the Great Falls and
Old Dominion would do everything pos
sible to continue the arrangement, al
though it was considered that the Capt.
tai Traction Company Jared better than
did the Great Falls and Old Dominion.
Judge c. z. Nicol impressed upon the
commission the necessity for allowing
such rate of fare as would enable the
company to realize fair profit upon it's
investments, and contrasted it's operat-
ing expenses favorably with other lines
upon which greater rate of fare was
charged.
Mr.. Edward Mclean presented the sta
tlstics to the commission relative to the
charges Of othe- trolley lines, making spe-
cial reference in hisargument to the rates
of fare which had been allowed in Feb
ruary last by the commission to the Falls
Church railroad. emphasizing the fact that
In each instance the charges allowed were
greater for a lesser distance than was
asked for under the present application
of the Great Falls and Old Dominion At
the conclusion of the presentation of the
case the commission conferred together
and advised the counsel that as soon as
the record was completed for their in
spection they would announce their de-
cision. 1t was understood that the COM
pany made strong showing in favor of
its application, and a favorable decision
is expected for it.
A large number of property holders and
others interested in that section of the
county were on hand to safeguard their
interests.