Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-10
CAR FARE SOUGHT
FOR SOME RIDES IN
D. C. IS % CENTS
Continued from First Pase.)

kenilworth without having to pay
extra for it.
Though not surprised at the 7-cent
fare suggestion. the commission was
taken off it's feet by the radical pro-
posals of the separate lines to entirely
discontinue transfers and through
routes. If this condition should come
about. they say, Washington's trans
portation system would be all but
paralyZed.
Tho maximum fare that could be
charged under such an arrangement,
the commissions experts figure out,
would be one o: IS cents for a ride
from American University to Brook
land. The first lap of such a journey
would be from American University
to Wisconsin avenue over the line of
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company. for which an initial charge
of cents would be made. Trans
ferring at this point, the passenger
would pay Z cents more to ride over
the Georgetown and Tenleytown line
to o street. At this intersection an
other transfer would be required and
the passenger would be compelled to
pay cents more to ride over the line
of the Washington Railway and Elec-
trio Company to 18th and G streets.
Making the final transfer at 18th and
G. and boarding a City and Suburban
car for Brookland for another cents,
the rider could reach his destination
after transferring three times and
paying a total of % cents.
There are many instances that
could be cited. it is stated, of where
two transfers and a total charge of 81
cents would be required and one trans
fer and total charge of IA cents
would be necessitated if the individual
petitions of the separate companies
should be granted
Would Be obviated.
This would be obviated, however, If
the general petition of the general
company should be approved, under
which there would be a seven cent
charge for all the lines and a two
cent charge for transfers as at pres
ent, with the one exception made in
the case of short-end cars which has
been alluded to.
President Ham sent a lengthy COM
munication to the commission along
with the petitions yesterday. in
which he sets forth the development
of the system and the difficulties 1t
has encountered through the high
costs produced by war conditions.
Our problems are not different from
other companies similarly situated" he
states. 1T is generally recognized
that the street railway industry is in
a state of financial collapse. At the
present time more than sixty COM
panies are in the hands of receivers:
fares have been raised to 6, Z. 8 and
even 10 cents"
Mr.. Ham ahso makes promise of
better service if relief is given. In
this connection. he says:
IF adequate relief were granted.
the companys credit would be re-
&c
and provide additional IA
cilities which will certainly be needed
at an early date. Our ability to rem
der adequate service Is dependent
upon our having the money or credit
which which to provide it The de-
cision rests with the commission"
Suggests Alternative.
As to the desire OF tho company
to maintain its integrity. Mr.. Ham
said:
serve the pubic and at
the lowest possible rates. and II this
company is provided with q revenue
as a whole, sufficient for it to meet
it's just requirements, 1t can afford
TO further carry the burdens of the
suburban companies, but If this is
denied, the only alternative is for
each of the companies to rely upon
its separate rights"
The financial burdens Of the sub
sidiary companies forming the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Company
system are set forth in the separate
petitions for relief which these con-
Germs fled with the Public Utilities
yesterday.
The Georgetown and Tenleytuvn
Company says that its books for the
first five months of the current year
show a net operating deficit Of $22,-
1887, as compared with a deficit
Of $1,147.17 for the corresponding
period of last year. the net result Of
operating being that for the first five
of 1919 the company failed
BY $27,612.7o to meet operating ex-
penses and interest on the bonds.