The Washington herald., 1918-11-08
ORDERS FREE
PASSES HERE
Utilities Commission Hears
Plea for New Trans
fer Points.

Free intercompany transfers, at
seven of the intersections OF the lines
of the Capital Traction Company and
the Washington Railway and Elec-
tric Company were ordered yesterday
by the Public Utilities Commission.
The points at which the transfers
will be issued and accepted by the
companies are: Seventh and Florida
avenue northwest; Florida avenue and
lexington place northeast; Eighth ana
H streets northeast; Eighth and D
streets northeast; Eighth and Z
streets northeast; Eighth and East
Capitol streets; North Capitol street
and Massachusetts avenue.
Small Loss TO Companies
The proposed plan is framed with
the special intention of relieving the
=. situation in regard to navy yard en-
ployes. The transfer points tixed In
the northeast section are expected 20
enable the employees Of the yard TO
reach the government housing pro-
jects. which are being constructed for
them, without the payment Of an In
creased fare.
It was brought out at the hearing
that the granting of transfers at
these points would be the result Of
only a small loss to the companies.
Edward A. Roberts. assistant to John
A. Beeler. traffic expert, testified be-
fore the commission that the annual
loss to each company would be about
S5.OOo, with an additional loss to the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company of about $500 due to the
Brightwood Communication tickets.
The cause of universal transfers re-
ceived a boost" at the conclusion
of the hearing when Commissioner
Louis BrownIow announced that
he favored the granting OF intercom-
pany transfers at all OF the twenty
nine intersections of the lines.
A petition asking for the granting
of further intercompany transfers
was presented to the commission by
James L. Wilmeth. acting for the en-
ployes of the Bureau Of Engraving
land Printing. The petition asks for
the transfers at Fourteenth street
and Pennsylvania avenue. Twelfth
street and Pennsylvania avenue. Four
teenth and H streets, and Seventh
and G streets.
In the petition. which is signed by
representatives OF the various organi-
zations Of the bureau. it is pointed out
that the granting of transfers be-
tween the companies at the points
suggested would tend to relieve the
traffic congestion at these points. II
is also claimed that it would enable
the 5000 employees of the bureau to
reach their work on time. thereby
adding to the efficiency of the organi-
zation.
short Trip Unjust.
At present there is in effect a sys-
tenn of 2-cent transfers from Four
teenth street and Pennsylvania ave-
nue.. The petition holds that such a
charge is unjust for such a short
trip as the one to the bureau.
The commission agreed to hear fur
ther discussion Of this matter. 1t is
probable that a further hearing will
be allowed at the same time as the
companies are to be heard on the
transfer points which have been Sc
leCted.
Those signing the petition on behalf
OF the employees and the divisions
which they represent are:
Plate printers. Daniel Hassett; ma
fhinists. Edward r. williams; engi-
JDeers. James Williams, Federal Labor
Union. Nora James: engravers. Will
lam Hass; transferers. Ben Colds
worthy; plate cleaners, William
Brown: fremen and oilers. Daniel
O'Leary; carpenters, John T Wells;
painters. o. Pillow: steamfitters. Pres
ton Shannon; plumbers, William Sells;
pressmen. F. Geisler
In case the companies should have
some objection to the points estab-
lished for the issuance of transfers,
the commission set next Thursday
for another hearing