The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-03-20
v. R. AND {. TO
BEG FOR AID
FROM PUBLIC
Officials Say Road Must Have
More Funds or Go on the
Rocks.
By BILL PRICE.

years in big dividends, high salaries
and the unfortunate strike OF 1917,
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company will tomorrow enter upon
what now, looks to be a losing night
before the Public Utilities Com=iis-
sion for permission to obtain from
the public. in some form not specified.
sufficient revenues to close the gap
that is leading to possible disaster.
The representations to be made by
the company will be hat-footed in de-
clGring that more money is impera-
tive unless both physical and f1nHn
cial conditions are to grow to
point closely bordering on wreckage
The company is not suggesting any
method of relief 1t proposes to lay
sFe< the commissio nits condition
and put the responsibility up to that
body TO ind a way out, assuming that
the commission will not wish TO have
the credit OF what may follow il re-
lief is not granted. The representa-
tives OF a large number of citizens
associations will be present to protest
Against any increase in fares.
No Chance To Raise Fares.
Officials of the w. r. and E. know
full well that there is no chance that
an increase will be ordered in the
present fat-rate of cents
What they do hope for, though, is
that the commission may turn to a
zone system of charges by which the
company will be allowed to assess the
suburban resident , or cents more
than he now pays for his ride, contin-
-~-lltng the fat fare OF cents to the
public living In certain bounds within
the city proper. II the commission is
NOT impressed with that then a
charge for intercompany and even
company transfers will be suggested.
Counsel for the company will de-
clare that there is now no way OF
reducing expenses to meet the large
deficft that is piling up.
There O. strong doubt whether the
petition OF the company will bring IL
any relief The present organization
stands seriously handicapped by the
records and facts OF the past. Every
raEieisls OF the utilities commission
and every well-informed citizen
knows that but for bad management
in the past. coupled with utter disre-
gard Of public opinion, the company
would not today be in its predica-
ment. and would, like the Capital
Traction. be in shape to possibly
continue effective operation and meet
ats obligations upon a scent fare.
The problem the commission must
ace is whether it can afford to pun
"a historical delinQUeneies, If in do
ing so there will result a running
down OF service on the lines Of the
company to a point that will invite
disaster TO the public.
should Improve Road.
On the other hand the company will
not escape being reminded that il less
attention is paid by it to continuing
dividends on common stock and more
to development and improvement Of
its properties there would be more
sympathy for it's pleas for financial
help. There will be frequent refer
ence TO water in the stocks Of the
company during the hearing, as the
pubiic, which will be present in large
numbers. is deeply prejudiced against
the company. The prejudice is based
almost wholly on the company's
record and on the belief that il Is
=. BY no means in the predicament
financially that it claims if it will
cease the idea that dividends must
accompany water"
Unless the company makes q
stronger showing than is now ex-
pected, it will run across an Official
atmosphere during the hearings that
will be a warning that II must change
dividend and other policies il IL
wishes help.
Reports reaching various Govern
nent departments and agencies are
that street railways in many parts
OF the country are on the brink of
RELAPSE, and that il the Government
does not go to their assistance in
ecue manner there will be a serious
disintegration OF railway properties
that will stand in the way Of public
Drogress and service for years. Presi-
dent Wilson, the War Labor Board,
and former Secretary McAdoo recog-
nized this situation months ago and
appeaIed to the public and authori-
ties generally to lay aside prejudices
and take helpful action.
Plan Federal Relief.
Roger w. Babson, Of the Depart
nent Of Labor, and Eugene Meyer,
~ Of the War Finance Corporation
90 the Treasury. are today greatly
concerned over the street railway out
took and are trying 10 devise meas
ures Of Federal relief.
Bevond appeals for more liberal
r@reatnent there seems little else they
mr. anybody else can do. Nothing short
~ revolutionary methods will save
many Of the roads.
II is officially stated that about one
.enth of the street railway mileage
81 the United States is today in the
rands of receivers, with another 10 TO
90 per cent hanging on the edge
Although the w r. & Z. people
will lay before the Utilities Commits
.son rather alarming prospects fnanci-
aIIy there are well-informed authori-
,jes connected with the Public Util-
ttIes Commission who believe that IL
.tocI< dividends are eliminated, or re-
.,ced the company will be in posi-