Evening star., 1918-03-22
D. O. CAR CONTROL
FAVORED REPORT
] Representative crosser Points
Out advantages to Be
Gained.
EMERGENCY IMPERATIVE.

Emphasis will be laid by Representa-
tive -Crosser of Ohio on the inefficient
street car service given the public at
present in Washington, when he files in
the House late this afternoon his re-
port, authorized by the House District
committee, on a bill empowering the
District government to take over and
operate street car lines in the District.
Representative Crosser will present
statistics showing the tremendous in
crease in residents of Washington,
practically all Of whom have to de-
pend on the street cars to get them to
and from their work for the govern
ment He believes that the present
emergency makes absolutely necessary
the adoption of the principle of public
ownership of public utilities, and in
his report has prepared strong argu-
nnent analyzing the general principles
OF public ownership.
Representative Crosser's report will
also carry a summary of values made
: three or four years ago, just prior to
: the war period. which he has compared
with statistics compiled py the fuolc
/. Utilities Comm iSSion.
Summing up the case as TO the ply
sica value of the two companies, Rep
resentative Crcsser says:
PHYSICAL Value About $25,OOO, 900.
The total value of the tracks of both
companies is about $10.349.750. The to-
tai value of the cars of both companies
is approximately $4.5o1,4 400. The total
value of the power stations, subeta-
tions. shops. barns. cable and other
equipment is. approximately $9.414 600
This would make the total physical
value of the property OF the two COM
panies something less than S25, 1000, 900.
1T should be apparent when we COM
pare the total capitalization of both
companies which is at present $4e.-
<71,350, with the very fair value which
which is about one-half the amount
that the people of the District have
been paying a large amount as re-
turn on over s25.o0o,oe0 of fictitious
value. If the District should secure
these properties at fair valuation the
amount paid as interest and dividend
on this inflated value would be saved
and would enable the District govern
ment to, reduce fares and increase the
wages of street railway employees"
Favors Universal Transfer.
tenn of universal transfers is empha-
sized by Representative Crossers re-
port He said:
another very Objectionable feature
Of the street railway service in the
District Is the fact that no free trans
fers are issued by either company good
on the lines of the other. The two sys-
TENS have at least twenty-nine points
Of intersection or divergence, and at
none of these points can passenger
another
free of charge. At two of these points
transfers are sold at cents each At
two other points tickets are sold at the
rate of four for IS cents instead of six
for 25 cents good on the other system
At all other points the passenger is
required to pay another fare. There
rEpuId, however. be considerable DIM
Guilty in determining the basis for the
do 9bso1ute justice between the two
companies on account Of the differences
! Of territory traversed and the difference
/. IN cost of operation.
Advantages to Be Gained.
Prom every standpoint District own
efship and operation OF the street rail-
ways would rebound to the advantage
I of the people of the District Expert
ence elsewhere has shown that the fol-
lowing advantages result from munich
pal ownership and operation of the
street railways:
"a great reduction in fares.
Improvement of the service.
More rapid extension. of lines.
Increase of traffic corresponding to
the reduction Of fares and increase OF
facilities.
"A marked Improvement in the con-
ditions of labor, through shortened
hours, increased wages and greater per-
S manency of employment
& Full publicity of cost and value
Z This is far from being the case from
+ fWAshington's street railway companies.
1 Change of purpose from private
/ profit to public service; from manage
L ment of the interests of q few people to
/ management in the interests of the
whole people"