The Washington herald., 1911-09-26

Suburban property owners contend that
4 great depreciation in the value of real
estate in Somerset Heights, Drummond,
M Friendship Heights, in Montgomery
County, Md, has followed the "imposi-
tom of the Washington and Rockville
Railway Company and the Georgetown
md Rockville Railway Company in
charging an extra fare from the District
inc to the towns mentioned, a distance
q only about one-half mile. Citizens of
those communities so testified yester-
lay before examiners for the Interstate
Commerce Commission.
The railway companies have charged
he extra fare since June l, 1910. 1t IS
the contention Of the protestants that
this extra charge, cents, constitutes an
Unlawful and unwarranted abrogation by
he companies of an agreement made
With the citizens, in which one fare was
% cover the journey from the center of
he city to Somerset Heights. The COM
oanies aimed at the development OF the
three towns and a consequent increase
n traffic.
Legal Talent on Hand.
Examiner A. B.SPugh, of the Inter-
state Commerce Commission, is hearing
The evidence, and Examiner c. H. Dray-
ton and Attorney c. S. Moore, repre-
senting the protestants, are examining
the witnesses Attorneys George P.
Hoover and William H. Talbot, together
With Attorney G. w. Williams. receiver
'or the Washington and Rockvilee line,
appearing jointly for the companies.
DR.. c. A Champion, for twenty years
resident of Somerset. was the first wit
ness. He declared that the decrease of
property values in the affected districts
was directly traceable to the imposition
of an extra fare from the District line
to Somerset. He affirmed that many pur-
chasers were attracted to the towns
named solely because OF the one-fare
agreement with the railways, which gave
to the country residents the privilege of
paying one scent fare or of purchasing,
six tickets for a quarter, each ticket be-
ing good for a through ride between Som
erset and the city terminus of the George
town and TennaIlytown Railroad, with
free transfer either going or coming at
the intersection of the line with the city
lines of the Washington Railway and
Electric Company.
From COmpany's View.
William F. Ham, treasurer of the inter-
.sted companies, next took the stand.
He said the One-fare ride from the Dis
.rict line to Somerset was a purely gra-
tuitous service and that so far as he
knew the Washington and Rockville COM
?anies received no portion of the fares
0aid in cOnsiderati tion of the use of their
racks. Mr.. Ham stated that the COM
oanies answer to the protest will include
he declaration that the extension OF a
gratuitous ride of one-half mile to Som
crest Heights would open the company to
1 charge of maintaining a discriminatory
.ariff.
W. S. Stamper. OF Drummond. who has
resided there since 1908, said the sole
reason he moved to Drummond was to
get the benefit of the one fare, con-
siderable item during the year when the
members of the family used the cars
every day. Mr.. Stamper said the resi-
dents enjoyed the one-fare rate from 1903
up to June l, 1910
Richard Ough, of Friendship Heights,
builder and contractor, testified that he
had ceased to build in Somerset since
the agitation concerning the two-fare