Evening star., 1913-10-20
Enforcement by the Utilities
Board Is Suggested
at Hearing.
LACK OF ANY PENALTY
HAS MADE THEM FUTILE
Experimental Period and Public
Ovnership Suggested a. Other
Means Of Attaining End.

Utilization OF the laws already on the
statute books may be the means Of the
citixens OF the District OF Columbia
winning the night for universal street
car transfers
This fact came out today at the fsrss
hearing to be given by the public
utilities commission on the transfer
question. when reference WAS made
to acts OF Congress. passed In 1894 and
1883. requiring the issuance Of recipro-
cal transfers. and the commission suG-
gested the possibility Of It's enforcing
these laws in lieu OF promulgating an
order OF its own.
No Penalties Provided.
Compliance has not been made by
either Of the companies with these
laws. for the reason. II is alleged. that
no penalties are provided. The utih-
ties commission. II was urged today. 10
authorised to enforce the provisions
Of ali existing laws relating 20 uttii.
ties and to require payment OF penal
ties.
Charles w. Darr. representing the
ciusens' conference on utilities. told
the board that he IL OF the opinion the
laws now on the statute books are
sufficient. and that there IN no rea-
son why q special order requiring uni
versal transfers should be promul-
ga ed.
This view did not meet with the IDEAS
OF William Mex Clayton, representing
the Federation OF Ci.ixens' Associat. .ons,
VINO took the position that there may be
some doubt as to whethec the previous
acts OF Congress provide for the is-
suance OF free" reciprocal transfers.
Urges Careful Inquiry.
Mr.. Clayton urged an investiga .ion 20
be undertaken by the commission for the
purpose OF determining whether the 10
suance of q universal transfer order
would so seriously affect the interests OF
the railway companies as to amount to
confiscation.
Representatives of @ large number Of
civic bodies were on hand for the near
ing, and their side OF the case had
not been fully presented when the
commission took recess shortly be-
The hearing was resumed at 215
o'clock and II IL expected that e spre-
sentatives Of the railways Will be heard
during the afternoon.
Among those who spoke this morning
In addition to Mr.. Darr and Mr.. Clayton.
were Thomas E. VIII. representing the
Northeast Citizens Association: Brtstow
Adams Of the Rhode Island Avenue Sub
urban Citizens Association: John p. Coi-
poys Of the Central Labor Union and oeh-
ers. Conrad H. Syme, recently appointed
corporation counsel. occupied seat near
the Commissioners. -
For Municipal ownersnip.
The question Of municipal ownership sf
street railways was brought into the PRO-
atv,o Ar Yoor In ov,A ttxak
It can be shown the railway companies
cannot operate their lines 30 as to pro-
vide for universal transfers, he would
favor the municipality taking over the
property OF the transportation concerns.
In this connection, he suggested the pro-
posed utilization Of the Great Falls water
power. declaring that the city might be
able to operate the railway lines with
such economy that a three-cent fare could
be provided.
Mr. Darr suggested that the railway
companies open their books to the COM
mission in order that the public service
board may determine whether IL would
work hardship upon them IL a transfer
order were issued.
Suggests an Experiment.
Commissioner Siddons suggested a pos-
sible course the commission may pursue
when he asked M. Darr II he would be
In favor of that body requiring the rail-
ways TO issue free reciprocal transfers
for definite period, say six months or
year during which time study would
be made as to the financial results. Mr.
Darr indicated that he believes the utili-
ties board should first attempt TO secu e
from the utilities data as TO present traf-
fic conditions.
Numerous references were made to
"watered stock" I'm connection with
the discussion as to whether the COM
panies can AFFORD TO give universal
transfers. Several of the speakers de-
ciared that the commission should en-
deayor to Squeeze" the water. out OF
the stock before deciding whether the
granting of transfers would impose a
serious financial burden upon the rail-
way lines.