Evening star., 1911-06-10
Commissioners Thought to
Favor Universal Transfers.
VIEWS. OUTLINED IN PAST
Believe That the People Would De-
rive Much Convenience.
BILL PENDING IN THE SENATE
Think That the Time Is Not Ripe
for Pressing Three-Cent Fare
Proposition.

Right in line with the probability
that the Commissioners will give their
approval to the Gallinger bill to create
a public utilities commission at the
District building. the Commissioners are
now said to be getting ready a report
on the Works bill for the establish
ment Of universal transfers and the re-
duction of school childrens carfare. AS
far as can be learned, the Commission
ers heartily approve the universal trans
fer proposition. but believe that the
time is not ripe to raise the reduced
fare question. The Commissioners have
consistently advocated universal trans
fers. and there is no reason to believe
there will be a change in this senti-
ment
The Works bill. which was introduced
in the Senate May s. has for its object
the free transfer proposition, and the
requirement that all street railway
companies shall carry children under
five years Of age free and school chill
dren above that age at the rate of 8
cents apiece, twelve tickets for 25 cents.
with free transfer privilege.
Whenever the free transfer subject has
been reported upon by the Commissioners
they have outlined their views by stat
ing that the financial and administra-
tive difficulties of such an innovation
could be met. That the financial drain
would not be great and that the admin
istrative difficulties are surmountable has
been the argument OF the Commissioners
in the past, and undoubtedly will be
in the case of the Works bill.
Right of the Public.
Tho ronn;Ssiopare holieye that the
proposition Of interchange of transfers be.
! tween the competing railway lines in the
District Of Columbia is one from which
the travelling public would derive great
convenience and advantage. In fact. the
OF the size of Washington and its en-
vigons the public has right to have
universal transfers. Furthermore, thu
| Commissioners sentiment goes as far a.
to put them on record as saying ina
| the street car companies are not giving
reasonable facilities unless they do gram
universal transfers. Those who know
what the Commissioners views on tht
subject are say positively that the pres
ent board will seek to have q compuisor,
| free transfer law enacted. il the com
panies do not establish the system.
Three-Cent Fares.
| Three-cent fares for school children
| is q subject which the Commissioner
pass over at present. believing that thu
universal transfer question should have
the right Of way and it would not be sur
| prising If the Commissioners should ask
that the three-cent fare item be dropped
| from the Works bill.
The Commissioners want to see uni
versal transfers arranged SO that they
| are interchangeable not only at connect
| ing points and intersections. but when
ever the tracks of the two lines approach
| within 200 feet of each other.
Looking toward public utilities enc
of the proposition, the Commissioner
| will undoubtedly ask that they bt
clothed with enough power to act as ar
biters in disputes between the two com
panies arising from universal transfer
questions. Appeals from the Commits
sioners to the courts will, OF course
| be arranged for, if the Commissioners
follow their policy as outlined in the
past.