Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-28
REPORT Of VALUATION
EXPERT IS TO STAND
70 Be Considered, However, in the
Light of Testimony Taken
at Hearing.

General notice that it is not the intention
OF the commission to exclude from consid-
Grafton any portion Of the valuation re-
port submitted by Andrew Sangster. but
that the experts findings will be considered
In the light of all testimony taken, was
served by the public utilities commission
today in the Washington Railway and
Electric Company valuation proceedings.
Since the beginning of Sangster's cross
examination, more than a week ago, re-
peated efforts have been made by attor-
neys for the company to have portions
OF his report and the testimony thereto
excluded. principally because of admis-
sions that he could not supply the details
OF items which he had eliminated from
capital account.
At this mornings hearing motion was
made by Attorney Bowen that that por-
ton of Sangster's report relative to
the acquisition of the Columbia and
Maryland railway by the Baltimore
Security and Trading Company be ex-
cluded as having no bearing on the
question at issue. In overruling the
motion. the commission announced its
general policy as to retaining the re-
port intact and considering it in the
light OF all testimony to be offered.
Objections Again overruled.
Admission by Mr. Sangster that the
books or the company could throw no
light on the elimination which he made
from the capital accounts of the Bright
wood and Columbia lines resulted in
the company yesterday endeavoring to
nave 50 much of his testimony as is
based upon information from the out
side" stricken from the record
AS In the case of previous motions
to have the witness testimony excluded
IN instances where he admitted he
could not give the details of eliminated
Items. the commission ruled that the
testimony was pertinent, stating that
all the points developed in the Cross
examination would be given due con-
sideration when the final valuation ng-
ures are being compiled. In announc-
ing It's decision. the commission stated
that, from Sangster's testimony, 1t was
apparent that he had been Compelled
IN certain cases to make estimates in
order TO arrive even at an approximate
conclusion" but the commission was of
the opinion the testimony should re-
main In the record. ito be given such
weight as 1t is entitled to, after hear
pany."
Cross-examination of Mr.. Sangster
with respect TO his report on the City and
Suburban line. one of the subsidiary
companies OF the Washington Railway
ana Electric Company system, formally
was begun before the commission yes
terday afternoon Further admissions
py the witness that his report was
t Dased to some extent upon approxima-
made at the afternoon session.
Based on Assumption Of Cost.
isn't it true" asked Attorney Brown
for the company. that so far as the
city and Suburban railway goes, you
bring clearly to the attention of the
best you can by way of assumption to
show the cost of construction and
equipment, carrying out your theory
that you wanted to ascertain the orig
MAJ cost OF existing physical proper
That is my intention" replied Sang
And that. in reality, there is no
the books of the corporation?'' pressed
the railway attorney
..Well that, of course, is subject to
alnsrsnt opinions" was the answer.
ment for the guidance Of the commits
SION 1t is confessedly based upon
certain approximations, but / feel that
.cy are not so wide as to render the
proximated to such an extent that n
- untrustworthy. I think that. IL there
- any departure from the actual truth.
That ap Ply Il rs In favor of the company.
nnat nag been my impression, at any
rae; SO iar as personally could Judge
OF the different facts which I had 10
encounter. or. rather, the difficuIties."
Basis for the Conclusion.
A. this point Vice President Ham
ssxed the witness to explain how he
arrived at the conclusion that ~ anvo
ming. his report was favorable to the
company. ~ eAso
why, replied the valuation expert
mat mas been my impression that I
so optlned during the course of the
Socounting work ON this CITY and sue
Durpan company. and it has been gain
ed by going over all these detaiied
Items l could not explain now how this
opinion has been arrived at"
Attorney Bowen then ,noved n b,r.
Sne witness report and testimony az
bearing upon this company excluded he
cause MS statements showed that thew
supporting basis upon the books Of the
company The ruling OF the Commission
va the same as on previous similar mo-
IONS ana an exception was noted by the