The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-06-30
ny BILL PRICE.


Convinced that there will be years
of wrangling and discord in the street
car situation Of Washington unless
Congress acts, President Westlake, of
e Federation Of Citizens Associa-
ton, will send to Senators and Con-
gressmen letters asking their consid-
GRAFTON Of the creation Of a commits
sion for the operation of District
street railways on a service-at-cost
plan, the security holders of each to
be guaranteed reasonable returns after
fair valuations are completed.
Mr.. WestIske does not suggest mu-
nicipal ownership, but he would Gre
ate IN the commission unlimited power
20 direct operation Of both systems as
ONE While the actual operation
would remain in the hands Of the
railway companies, the FINAL WORD
would be with the commission. The
revenues would go into a central fund,
the cars would be routed for the best
interests Of the public, regardless Of
ownership, and the people would not
have cause for suspicion that funds
were being diverted to purposes not
having public approval.
A Service IT Cost
The idea Of Mr.. Westlalze, on which
he Is seeking TO have Congress ex-
press opinions, is something on the
order Of the Cleveland Ohio, plan.
There the owners Of the railway lines
eOntinue nominal operation, but II IS
done under strictest municipal control
and the effect Is practically municipal
direction, with the voice OF the people
constantly heard
Under this Cleveland plan the
stockholders are assured q guaran-
toed return Of 8 per cent-no more,
10 less. The rate Of fare goes I'D or
IOWA as is necessary to obtain reve-
Hues for this guarantee and to pur-
chase rolling stock and improve road
bOds. In Cleveland today the straight
fare Is cents with / cent for trans
forL At the beginning Of the war
the fare was cents. Cleveland had
. bitter tight for ten or twelve years
until the municipality obtained such
control a. enabled THE PEOPLE, not
the stockholders, to dominate street
ear operation tn stockholders are
happy because they know that they
win have q certain return
In Mr.. Westlake's opinion Congress
Aas absolute power to direct con-
Hemnation, through valuation, OF the
street railway properties. It has not
power to compel the two lines to
merge and probably is in no temper
now 20 authorize the wisest step
municipal ownership. Mr. Westlake
believes IL would be better to be lib
eral IN valuations, under his proposed
plan, than to pare to such an extent
the railways would fight a law in the
courts and indefinitely hold up a pro-
posed measure Of relief
RufnO1s to Good Relations.
every man who has studied the
railway situation in Washington"
said Mr.. Westlake, knows it is re-
tArding the development Of Washing
ton, disrupting good relations between
the utility corporations and the public,
and viii continue to interrupt that
general cooperation so vital to the
future Of the city.
With two separate street car sys-
TENS having such a wide disparity |
of financial and physical prosperity, |
there win continue to be in this city /
for years to come q constantly re-
curing question OF distinct rates. /
Operated as one system a uniform |
rate would prevail all over the Dis |
Grict- Operated by a special commits |
sion authorized by Congress, under
> Service-at-cost, plan, the people |
would be removed, and there would /
Se opportunity for one Of the lines |
70 be brought up to a standard Of
efficiency that would mean much for /
The welfare Of the District and the |
people"
with two independent car lines in
the District no plan that can be ar
ranged, unless by Congress itself. |
will furnish relief agreeable to
the public A straight 6-cent fare
en- both lines, which the public seem
Sngly prefers TO anything else. If the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company must again be given relief,
would increase the prosperity Of the
Capital Traction and still leave the
". R & e. in second place as q pub
he service corporation
May Unite On Proposed Plan.
The railway authorities OF both
lines may be willing to accept the
would be on the subject Of valuations,
because returns could not be paid I'M
til valuations were made and agreed
20. II the valuations were regarded |,
by the companies as confiscatory they L
and prevent prompt operation under
a new law. They are both lighting \
rhe tentative valuations found by the
Utilities Commission and will appeal
20 the courts. They claim that the
valuations are far too low.
Congress has wide powers in the /
District and might take drastic steps
in directing operations Of the roads
.rndeF 70 ha NwaH hry q ann