Evening star., 1918-11-19
v. R. &E.P[EADS
T0EXTEND|TSL|NE

Following a brief public hearing
this morning before the Public Utili-
ties Commission of the petition of the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company for the franchise to extend
it's system south of H street through
18th street to a junction with the
line of the Capital Traction Company
and over that system to the group of
buildings used for war work activi-
ties in Potomac Park, the commission
adjourned for further consideration
of the proposition.
consideration, the only objection Of
fered at the bearing, which was pre-
sented by Gen. William E. Harvey,
representing property owners in the
18th street section, over which the
proposed new line would run Gen.
form of a suggestion that the curbing
be set back six feet on either side at
the expense of the traction company.
Delays Decision.
When the hearing was adjourned
Commissioner Louis Brownlow, pre-
siding as president of the Public
utlllties Commission, announced that
the decision of the commission would
be announced later.
This extension of the lines of the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company was based upon an applica-
tion of the United States housing
commission made to the street rail-
way company October last to aid
in furnishing street car tranSporta-
ton to the $4,000 employees of the
government whose offices are in the
big group of buildings of war work
activities in the Potomac Park sec
ton.
The housing commission offered to
lend the Washington Railway md Elec-
trio Company the necessary $125.o00
to build the line, accepting the bonds
of the railway company.
Seeks Consent to Issue Bonds.
The Washington Railway and Electric
Company in it's petition is not only
asking for the franchise to construct
the line, but is also asking the Public
Utilities Commission for permission
to issue bonds necessary to cover the
proposed loan from the housing com
mission.
When the hearing opened President
William F.. Ham of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company asked
to amend the petition from the origi-
nal $125.000 to s150.000. There was no
objection raised by Lester c. Manson.
assistant counsel for the United States
briefly. pointing out the necessity of
the early construction of the line. He
said that the large number of war
workers that would be benefited by
the proposed car service would be re-
tanned in their present positions for
a long period despite the fact that
the war was practically over. TT will
be long time," said Mr.. Manson, be
fore the services of this large body OF
war workers can be dispensed with
George E. Hamilton. president of the
Capital Traction Company, who was
present, agreed to the extension OF
the line of the Washington Railway
and Electric Company, which carries
with it the use OF a portion of the tracks
| of his system.
The general opinion prevails that
the Public Utilities Commission will
grant the petition of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company, and
| that the line will be rushed to COM
| pletion. Assistant Counsel Munson OF
the United States housing commission
says that unless the line is built be-
fore winter sets In the men and wom-
en- employed in that section win suf
fer hardships that employees Of the
government elsewhere will not un-
dergo.