The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-06-20

Director General McAdoo and his as
sistant. Oscar Price, the attitude of
the Maryland Public Service Com
mission was not commented upon to-
day. II is seen here and in Mary
land that with continued low rates
on the W. 3. & a. in Maryland. there
may be considerable diversion OF traf-
nc from the steam railroads, adding
to the already congested condition
on the electric line.
letter before the Public Service
Commission from the Railroad Ad-
ministTation stated that an increase
of rates would greatly conduce to
the interests of parallel and adjacent
administration roads and enable
them to obtain the full benefit OF the
increased faces contemplated by the
Director Generals order"
ProbIeTh Up to 1. c. c.
Maryland people are Of the opin-
ion that II the clash is not straight
ened out the Government may take
over the electric line. Mr.. McAdoO
has heretofore expressed his opinion
that the law under which the Gov
eminent took over steam roads does
not give authority TO take over cleo
trio lines. He has steadily refused
TO listen to requests from many
States that he add electric lines 10
his already large burdens-burdens
that are making inroads upon ms
health. 8,
The W. B. & A has an appeal
pending before the Interstate COM
merce Commission for authority 10
increase its rates and to increase OF
cancel certain kinds OF Communication
tn have
been heard by the commission TO-DAY,
but the hearing has been postponed
to June %.
The possibility OF further en-
barrassment and complication is
seen in case the -erstate Com
merce Commission should grant
the increased rates asked on inter
state transportation over this line.
The commission has been Cooper
atinE with the Railroad Administra-
ton and is trying to adjust its work
to the policies of that administra-
ton.
An increase by the national COM
virtually foreshadowed in
advance owing to the attitude Of Mr..
AIcAdoo's administration, would i'm
pose a discrimination in rates as be-
tween interstate and intrastate pas
sengers and would make room for
considerable speculation, II not q
more serious issue.
At the Interstate Commerce Com
officials said that something
like the same situation had arisen
In the celebrated Shreveport case, in
which the United States Supreme
Court held that Federal regulation
OF Interstate rates implied rsgula-
ton Of intrastate rates. In that case
business had considerable
over the intrastate BUSH
ness.
Receipt Offset Expenses.
The auditor OF the Maryland Pub
lie Service Commission found that
while the operating expenses OF the
W. B. & A had enormously increased
the receipts had outstripped the ad-
vance in operating expenses.
The Washington Railway and |
Electric Company. of this city, is
in the situation to the eX-
tent that an increase in interstate
rates or Communication tickets ought |
to mean an increase in its revenue |
under its trs8sfer agreement with the 1
Maryland line.
The question is raised in some quar-
ers whether the w, B. & A. should be |
'egarded as an interstate road, inasmuch /
Is its franchise ends at the District Of
line and its passengers are
brought from there at the rates prevail
ng in he District Its entrance into the
District Is entirely by agreement with |
he Washington Railway and Electric /
Company. there being transfer exchange /
between the two. At the Interstate Com
nerce Commission the opinion is unof-
icially expressed that there Is little |
question that the road has an interstate |
and that its appeal to that |
1ody for increased rates could not be
'uled out on the ground OF lack OF juris-
LECTION.
There are many commuters between
Washington and Maryland points who
ire watching the situation carefully and
Who are today discussing the advisable
ty Of procuring counsel to represent
heir interests.