The Washington herald., 1915-08-25
JFTNEY FATE MAY
BEDECIDEDTODAY
Demand from Traction Mag
nate to Curb Buses
Causes Action.
ARE COMMON CARRIERS
If Public Utilities Commission So De-
cides. Automobiles May Be
Restricted.
ARE COMMON CARRIERS

Whether the jtney bus Is a common
carrier probably will be considered by the
Public Utilities Commission at a meeting
this afternoon. The commission yester-
day received a letter from George E.
Hamilton. president Of the Capital Trac-
tion Company, urging that the jitneys be
declared common carriers and be duly
regulated accordingly.
II the commission decides that the jitney
Is a common carrier within the meaning
of the law. 1t will be subject virtually to
the same restrictions and regulations i'm
posed upon the railway companies And
yet. II is said, the Commissioners hesti-
tate about regulating the jitneys, for they
are of the opinion that regulation would
be likely to force them ont of business,
and they believe that the jitneys are ca
pable Of rendering the municipality great
service.
Classed with Hacks.
Jitneys now are classed with public
hacks and are permitted to operate over
approved routes, following the taking out
of license.
Lines of motor vehicles are now al
lowed to operate on the streets of
Washington in direct competition with
the lines Of long established and respon-
sible carrying companies" says Mr. Ham,
ilton.
These automobiles operates with only
a nominal license fee. under no restric-
tion or regulation as to rates of fare.
length of route. safety or comfort of
passengers. and without responsibility
for injuries which passengers or others
may suffer as the result of their opera
tion. They operate on pavements fur
nished, without any cost to them, by
the taxpayers
In contrast with these privileges the
railways not only furnish the tracks on
which they run. but a very considerable
portion of the payements which the jit-
neys themselves use. The railways also
pay taxes in full measure to the District
of Columbia. including. in addition to
their regular tax on real estate, a large
percentage Of their gross earnings and a
not inconsiderable portion Of the pay Of
the city police Iorce.
They are responsible for all loss or
injury sustained through their opera
tions, and are strictly regulated in every
detail Of service, both as to quantity and
quality.
IF they are common carriers" con-
tends Mr.. Hamilton, surely they are
under the utilities law proper and
necessary subjects of the same rigid
regulation now applied to street rail-
ways.
In nearly every locality where jit-
ney bus service has been established
utilities commissions or municipal
boards have placed them under proper
regulation, both as protection to the
public and in fairness to street railway
companies. and action on the part of
your commission to this end is ear
nestly urged"
II is expected the commission will
complete the physical valuation of
the prnp.Ities of the principal public
service corporations by November 1.
These valuations will form a oasis
for the revision of rates. 1t is likely
that the question of compelling the
street railway companies 20 issue Uni
versal transfers will be considered,
however. even before the rate ques-
tion.
Only $4,000 Unused.
Although the commission has been
given $4,000 by Congress for the
physical valuations work. the task
has proved of such gigantic proper
tions that only about $4,000 remains
unused. It Is believed that this amount
will not be sufficient to complete the
work. No fear is felt,
however. as the Commissioners be-
lieve II will be possible to assign to
the office work employees from other
of the municipal govern
ment. Even should there be a deficit,
the Commissioners think that Congress
would be prompt to appropriate the
additional sum in view of tne ex-
tensive work accomplished.
The first of a series of hearings to
determine the relations existing he
tween the Washington Railway and
Electric Company and its subsidiary.
the Potomac Electric Power Com oary,
will be held this morning at 10 o'clock
in the board room at the District
Building. All three Commissioners
will attend and Maj. c. w. Kutz,
Engineer Commissioner. will preside.