Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-12

termine how this legislation would
affect them 2" Senator Gaflinger asked.
II have not to any extent. Mr.. Clay
ton replied. But we do not think it
will affect them adversely. About the
same number of people will ride and
the difference will be q difference OF
route more than anything else. There
will be no congestion Of traffic"
Defends Commissioners' Bill.
Maj. william v. Judson. Engineer
Commissioner, defended the Commits
sioners' bill AZ against the citizens
conference bill. He directed his chief
attention to the provisions Of the Com
missioners bill leaving 1t to the street
railway companies to nx the division.
This was adopted In preference to one
specifying the division, he said, on the
Recommendation Of the corporation
counsel.
What interest have the public in the
division Of the fares?' Senator Pomerene
asked.
well, they have the interest in having
this law constitutional" Maj. Judson re-
the courts. will accomplish all that is de-
sired; and we think, after the advice we
received from the corporation counsel.
that this bill can be successfully de-
Tended
c. p. King, president OF the Washington
address by remarking that the arguments
already presented would Indicate there
was no transfer system in effect here.
AS a matter of fact, he said, 100000
persons were carried on his lines on tree
transfers last year. The total number
carried was SOOOO.OOO persons
Opposes Both Measures.
Mr. King expressed opposition to both
the transfer bills before the committee.
He pointed out that Washington has, in
the underground power. an expensive sys-
tenn of railways, has 4 1-6-cent fare, of
which One-sixth of a cent goes to the
District in taxes; has to support the
ST eet crossing policemen. and have other
features that make the street railway
situation here different from that in other
cities.
Years of litigation, he predicted, will
follow the passage of either of the trans
fer bills.
Senator Pomerene asked a series of
questions to determine the cost OF the
system which Mr.. King heads.
Don't you think that when you come
here and tell us you cannot afford uni
VerSal transfers you ought to present
some figures showing the cost Of your
system to build and operator"
4 was getting to that" Mr.. King re-
piled. 1T must be considered that the
traffic is increasing, and 1t will not be
long before a large amount of money
will be required for new trunk lines.
If the returns were to be considered
the question should be taken UP in a
big way, looking to the future. will
be very glad to do that"
At Senator Gallinger's request he
promised to present the figures.
Don't you think. while talking about
cars and more frequent trips" Sena-
tor Works asked.
LAS a rule. taking the twenty-four
hours, no." MIR. King replied.
Il have been inclined to think more
cars ought to be run from the number
of people l have seen standing up re-
Gently" Mr.. Works added.
From to o'clock" put In Senator
Curtis
THE way to cure that is not by such
legislation as has been discussed here
today. 1t is legislation downward"
President Hamilton Heard.
George E. Hamilton, president Of the
Capital Traction Company. took prac-
tically the same view as Mr.. King. The
first question that comes up in connec-
ton with this legislation, he said. is
legal one-whether or not Congress has
the power to pass such a law under the
Constitution. AS that is a question that
must be decided by the courts. he said.
he would not discuss the point
Without discussing 1t, what is your
conclusion regarding the power Of Con-
'gress?" Senator Pomerene asked.
In his reply. Mr.. Hamilton maintained
that all legislative attempts, up to the
present. to provide universal transfers
had failed
The second question to be considered,
he said, is whether the proposed leg1sla-
tion is equitable to the companies he
proceeded to enumerate some OF the ex-
penses that have eaten up the gross rev.
enues of the traction companies In the
District
Mr. Hamilton declared that the tenden-
CIV of public service boards at present Is
to require the best Of service.
would you advocate that now! Mr..
Pomerene asked
Il am doing it now" Mr.. Hamilton
said. Il will say that think the Capital
Traction Company is today furnishing as
good service as any public service COM
mission would require"
Mr. Hamilton then proceeded to give
figures from the annual fiscal report OF
the company he heads.