Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-06
William Nick. Clayton Appears
Before Public Utilities
Commission.
ALSO SEEKS UNIVERSAL
TRANSFERS Immediately
Speaks in Behalf Of Federation of
Citizens Observation-Disclosures
Are Present.

Urging ama1gamation of local street
railway lines as one of Washington $
greatest public service needs, William
NICK. Clayton, appearing before the
public utilities commission today In
behalf of the Federation of Citizens
Associations, expressed the belief that
ger would be through an order requir-
ing universal transfers.
Instead of waiting for completion of
the valuation of the companies prop
critics and treating the universal trans
fer question as a rate problem, Mr..
Clayton called on the commission to
enforce Immediately the law of 1894 re-
curing the issuance of reciprocal
transfers.
The Commissioners responded that,
inasmuch as the law does not stipulate
that such transfers shall be free. the
court would have to decide whether its
enforcement on this basis would be
confiscatory, and. therefore. the ques-
ton of valuation would be raised in
any event.
No indication was given that the
commission will depart from it's de-
c1sion to postpone consideration of the
transfer question until the valua tons
are finished, but the board manifested
interest in Mr.. Clayton's suggestions
regarding the proposed merger. which,
he declared. not only would lead to uni
versai transfers, but many other i'm
provements.
The conference was arranged special
ly for the public utilities committee of
the federation, of which Mr.. Clayton is
chairman. In attendance with him at
the meeting were D. A. Edwards, a
member of the committee, and Evan II.
nf he
ISOLATION, who declared that. his asso-
clation was on record faYoring a
merger of the traction lines.
May Even Be Lower Fares.
Mr.. Clayton drew from the commits
sion an admission that the valuations
now being established might serve as
the basis not only for an order requir-
ing universal transfers, but reduced
rates, II the commission was of the
opinion the companies could afford to
operate Tor lower rate of fare
In behalf of the merger proposal Mr.
clayton called attention to the fact that
the commission will not now grant per
mission for the building of new street
railway lines which might serve as COM
peting lines. If the companies are com
pined, he pointed out, it would be pos
sible to have constructed a number of
important feeders and crosstown lines
which would go far toward relieving con-
gested traffic conditions
he also called attention to the fact that
under one company extensive reroutinp
OF tracks would be possible, with the
OBJECT In view of reducing congestion
and providing better transportation sery-
ice for the people Of Washington as a
whole. "" 90
MT Mr. Clayton characterized the merger
plan as an entirely economical one.
both in the interest of the public and
the companies. but said that until re-
Gently the federation was not aware
tnat the commission was invested with
sumclent power to authorize consoli-
dations of this character. He took the
position that the commission woujd
nave to wait for completion of the
valuations before it could intellieentIv
consider any merger application that
might be made to it.
Plan to Relieve Congestion.
Inc commission appeared particularly
interested in a suggestion that govern
ment buildings open and close at different
hours. in order to relieve the congestion
now due to more than 10000 government
clerks trying to reach their places of work
at the same time. In response to a oues.
TON by Commissioner Brownlow. Mr.
Clayton said that he did not think IL
YOU'D De necessary to get the consent Of
q
ne was Of the opinion it could be adius,sd
heads. NH@' 'iiehtdi
Desirability of eliminating q preat
many fre stops also was dweit upon hv
Mr.. Clayton. He stated that while i
might be practicable to maintain stons
az certain points, the big majority Of
them: IN his opinion, could be eliminat-
ca without increasing danger to trafic.
ana the time thus saved could be an,
plied TO speeding up the schedules.
Mr: clayton also requested the com
MISSION to give attention to the sub
Ject OF better ventilation in cars and
requiring the companies to sprinkle Tho
tracks In the suburban areas durine
exists. 'oieahce
He arraigned the local public for its
apparent lack of interest in co-operat
ing with the companies in speeding un
service. II the public would acouire
waiting to be continually ragged in
the matter by the conductor. and he
ready to alight from cars the minute
they come to a stop. hours OF travel
ing time would be saved each dav
which. applied to the schedules. would
lead to big improvement In the serv-
ice. he maintained