The Washington herald., 1908-01-09
RAILWAYS TO MERGE
Chairman Smith Says Trac-
ton Roads Will Combine
DISCUSSES IT WITH MR.. LOEB
Believes Secretary VIII Head WASH
ingtOn Railway and Electric Com
pany, and Urges Plan Upon Him.
Wants Best Street Railway system
In the World for This City.

That the consolidation of the two street
car companies Of this city is a decided
probability is the opinion Of Representa-
tive Samuel William Smith, of Michigan,
chairman of the House Committee on the
District of Columbia. and Mr.. Smith is
doing all that he can to further this out
come. with the object OF bringing to the
District the Improvement in its traction
facilities which are generally desired.
The present object Of Mr.. Smiths in
terest is to further the progress Of the
Union Station trackage bin Ia the House,
and he said yesterday that he expects
TO be able 10 state to the members Of
the House at an early date that such
consolidation will take place. and thus, by
eliminating the necessity, which In the
opinion of several Congressman exists, Of
providing for universal transfers in the
District. to smooth the way Of the track
age bin to that extent.
Wants "a Perfect System.
4 want to see in the District of Colum-
bia, said Mr. Smith yesterday, ''as good
a traction system as there is in any city
in the world. I want to have 1t fixed so
that during the rush hours of the day
there shall be car IN every block, and
that every man, woman, and child who
desires to use the cars at any time dur
ing the day shall have a seat, and not
be compelled 10 hang onto strap,
If the two companies that now operate
the various lines in the District were
merged into one. under proper auspices
as to capital and management the de-
sires OF all sections Of the city regarding
the street car system would be met
There would be plenty Of good cars,
perfect schedule. universal transfers, and
rapid extension OF the lines into the most
remote sections of the District.
Universal Transfers Included.
The fact that universal transfers
would be a natural and practically me-
chanicaI result Of such "a consolidation,
would make il more than useless for
Congress to legislate for that purpose.
The universal transfer proposition,
more than any other that IS pending
or in contemplation threatens the
progress OF the Union Station trackage
bill in the House and if we can dis
pose Of IT by this simple and neces-
sarily effective method, 1 think there
will be little doubt OF the trackage
bills passing at an early date.
THE District Committee. when it
meets tomorrow for organization, viii
take up this bill I have something to
say TO the members which I believe
viii result in the bills being favor
ably reported to the House without
amendment To-day I had a conference
with Mr. Loeb who. I understand. Is
to become a director and the president
Of the Washington Railway and Elec-
trio Company. ] discussed with him
the proposition to consolidate this road
and the Capital Traction Company, and
told him that / hoped it would be
brought about. as ] consider it "a meas
ure that would vastly benefit the Dis
trict
To See Dunlop To-day.
Tomorrow 1 shall have a conference
with Mr., Dunlop. Of the Capital Trac-
tion Company. and 1 hope TO gain in
formation which will add conviction TO
my belief that consolidation is a proba-
bility. 1 cannot say that 1t viii come
soon, for those things take time. But
I do not believe that it VIII be a great
while before il shall be accomplished.
Mr.. Smith would not discuss, in detail
his conversation with Secretary Loeb. aud
declined TO say whether Mr. Loeb was
an advooHte OF consolidation, referring
all inquirers 70 Mr. Loeb himself. The
Presidents secretary last night declined
10 discuss the matter. saying that he was
not in a position to do so. 1t is believed,
however, that ne would favor the merg-
ing Of the companies on an equitable
basis.
Confirms Current RumOrS.
There have been persistent reports in
the local financial world for the last year
or so to the effect that a movement to
consolidate the two companies was on
foot, and this report has found repeated
/ expression ana some credence in the past
month, partly owing TO the activity of
/ some of the traction securities. Mr..
Smith feels confident that the merger is
on foot. and is convinced that it will be
consummated. He also seemed TO take it
/ for granted that Mr.. Loeb will be presi-
dent and a director Of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company, which
( has been a mooted question among local
/ fnanciers ever since the ticket on which
I Mr. Loeb is a candidate was announced.