Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-27
Question Affecting Washington
Traction COMPANIES Before
Utilities Commission.
INQUIRY TO Determine
AUTHORITY OF ACTION
Public Hearing October 20 An
nounced-Issue to Be Considered
When Estimates Are Completed.

The long fight made by Washington
cii1ens Tor universal transfers on
street railway lines operating in tho
District OF Columbia may soon be
brought 10 a successful terminatio ! IL
Is stated, through the medium of the
public utilities commission.
An investigation to determine wheth-
er that body shall issue an order re-
curing universal transfers will be
undertaken by the Commissioners i'm
mediately following the completion OF
tho District estimates. AS was an
nounced today. October 90 is the date
set for the initial hearing.
Chairman Harding's Statement.
Engineer Commissioner Harding. chair
man of the commission, this afternoon
gave out the following announcement con
corning the proposed investigation:
THE public utilities commission OF the
District Of Columbia will hold a public
hearing In the board room Groom 5OO) at
the District building on Monday. October
20. 1913. at 10 O'Clock am. for the purpose
OF receiving from the public and from the
street railway companies such informa-
ton as they may wish to present bearing
on the subject of free. universal, inter-
changeable transfers among the street
railways Of the District OF Columbia. with
a view of beginning an investigation to
determine whether the public utilities
and to the street railway companies.
should promulgate an order requiring the
issuance OF such transfers"
Decline Further Comment.
Aside from this statement, members Of
the commission declined to make public
how extended the scope OF the inquiry
may become and how soon they will be
likely to reach a decision In the matter.
It Is presumed. however. that q number
Of hearings will be necessary.
It also is considered q fair presump-
ton that the commission is Of the opin-
ion that the question OF universal trans
fers Is not purely a rate question and.
therefore. 1t Is not necessary to wait for
valuation to be placed upon the prop
critics of the street railway companies
before deciding the question.
The hearing to be held October 20
| may throw some light on this phase Of
the matter, which. it Is conceded, will
cause the commission to postpone its
decision until valuations have been es-
| tablfshed. but this Is not regarded a.
| likely.
The Commissioners delayed the date
of the hearing SO that they would have
the estimates off their hands and be
ready to give great deal of their at
tention to the transfer question. The
estimates will be submitted to the Sec
rotary of the Treasury by October Is.
which will give the Commissioners q
breathing spell of about five days be-
fore they tackle their next big task.
Assertion Of Authority.
The utilities commission is convinced
xr,fxh ,la
to promulgate a universal transfer
order. Since 1898, the District has had
a law providing that the Metropolitan
Railroad Company and the Capital
Traction Company shall be required to
issue free transfers at the points of In
tersections Of their respective lines,
while the act Of August 2. 1894, pro-
vides that the Metropolitan company,
now the Washington Railway and
Electric Company, shall make recipro-
cal transfer arrangements with street
railway companies whose lines connect
with its lines. These laws have not
been complied with for the reason. ac-
penalties are attached.
The public utilities law, which became
effective March this year, provides that
If any public utility shall fan to perform
any duty enjoined upon 1t for which
penalty has not been provided, or shall
fail to "obey any lawful requirement or
order made by the commission, 1t shall
forfeit to the District the sum Of 500 for
every such offense.
Basis Of Previous Order.
It was under this provision OF the util-
tiles act that the commission. shortly
after 1t came into existence. issued an
order requiring the Washington Railway
and Electric and Capital Traction COM
panies to enter into reciprocal transfer re-
Iations with the Metropolitan Coach Conn
Pennsylyania avenues northwest