The Washington herald., 1912-01-13
Universal Transfers.

OulbCIodl 4AdASASAe'
About all that can be said by way of
argument for and against the issue OF
universal transfers by the street rail-
way companies of the District has come
out in the last twenty-four hours. Yes.
terdsy morning a public bearing on the
subject occupied the attention Of the
District Committee of the Senate for
several hours. At the same time the
House District Committee was consid-
ering the question of half fares for the
children going to and from school, Last
night a public meeting was held in the
old Masonic Temple to voice popular
sentiment in FAVOR of the transfers.
Two bills are before the Senate COM
nittee, both providing for universal
transfers, but differing in detail. One
is known as the Commissioners bill'
and the other is that introduced by
Senator Gallinger, chairman of the
committee, and bearing his name,
though Mr.. Gallinger prefers it to be
known as the Citizens Bill" The chief
point of difference in the proposed
measures is that the last named pro-
vides for a division of the fares in
volved on the half-and-hslf basis, and
the other leaves that matter to any
satisfactory arrangement the companies
may make among themselves.
L. 81, II II -,
the public meeting last night differ
ences of opinion arose with reference
to the merits Of these bills, though the
representatives of the people at both
meetings were well agreed upon the
general principle involved. At the
hearing before the Senate committee
attorneys and other representatives of
the railroad companies were present TO
oppose the granting of the privilege of
transfers from one system to another
in any form or under any circum-
stances. According to thenrs such a
practice means reduction of revenues,
with possible bankruptcy for the oper-
ating corporations
Divested of supcrfuous words, the
issue of transfers by one system to an
other in Washington is urged on the
ground of public convenience, ability of
the companies to grant the concession,
and the manifest justice of the pro-
posaL. The street railway companies
are now required by law to issue trans
fers over their own lines at all juno
tions, and to limit the cost of the rail-
road fare TO 5 cents. with the further
provision that six tickets for use on the
cars shall be sold for IS cents, making
the cost of one ride I 10 cents By
law these tickets sold by one company
must be accepted by any other COM
pany operating in the District, and the
claim is advanced that the issue of
transfers between the systems, in like
manner, would work no hardship upon
the companies in Washington The ar
gument is perfectly simple, clear, and
unanswerable. There is no more rea-
son for Withholding transfers between
the systems than there is for doing the
same between the lines of the same
system.
As to the details OF the division of
fares, the question is one of admins
tration between companies, and one of
small concern to the public beyond the
lurking fear that if it is not included
in the law it will prove a pretext for
litigation in the courts which might
temporarily or permanently defeat the
object sought
The plea of the companies that they
cannot afford the universal transfer.
fortified by the avermcnt that Wash
ington already enjoys more privileges
than is accorded to patrons in other
cities, IS pure obstruction set up on
business principles. If the corpora-
tons could extort two fares where they
now receive. one, it would be good busi-
ness to take them. In like manner it is
good business to oppose the universal
transfer, for the present practice brings
slightly increased revenues to the treas
uries of the companies. This opposi-
ton is purely commercial plea, and
ought to be regarded as such. 1t has
little to do with the merits of the ques-
ton; nothing, in fact, beyond the line
of justice to the companies in that they
should receive proper pay for service
rendered.
Brought down to basic facts, the uni
versal transfer would chiefly affect the
short hauls of passengers IN the resi-
dent and business sections and over GER
tain lines which carry the crowds to the
amusement resorts IN the summer sea
SON In the first instance, the trans
fers can be given without loss or hard
SNio to the corporations. In the second