Evening star., 1919-04-19
Analyzing the Zones.
TO the Editor of The Star:

10 tne 0Qltor OF Ine Star.
The financial difficulties in which
the Washington Railway and Elec-
trio Company finds itself create a sit
uation of the greatest interest to
the people of the District, for upon
them will fall the task of extricating
the corporation. 1t Is to no purpose
to talk of watered stock if no REM
edy is suggested to squeeze the
moisture therefrom. and it is equally
futile to talk of past bad manage
ment, although it is difficult to for
get how. in their efforts to defeat
their striking employees. the company
allowed thousands of dollars of the
riding public's money, which could
be advantageously used now to tide
them over the present difiiculty. to
pass into the pockets Of their strike
breakers.
But a new policy has been adopted,
and the president of the road ap-
pears before the Public Utilities Com
mission and attempts to disarm or
surprising, in view Of past perform
ances, that it is well to examine the
statements which daily appear in the
newspapers as coming from him.
The source Of weakness to the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company, we are told. lies in the
fact that its cars must make SO many
long runs, and. to relieve this situa-
ton, a zone system must be adopted.
The length Of five-cent ride will
be two and a half miles. The limits
Of the first zone have been tentative
ly determined. and an examination Of
the termini at present fixed, is our
first opportunity to test the good
faith Of the front newly assumed by
the railway company.
April 10, every zone point is ''about"
two and a half miles from the zone
center 11th and r streets. "About"
is absolutely accurate. The terminus
of the 9Th street line, which has never
been accused Of being a losing sub
sidiary, is placed at Georgia avenue
and Park road. Just enough short Of
the two miles and the half as to make
the entire subdivision of Petworth
pay an extra fare.
proposed terminus Of the Brookland
one-fare zone. The limit there will
be North Capitol street and Michigan
avenue. again just enough short of
the two miles and a half (and these
gineer map OF the District) as to
compel the Catholic University and
all of Brookland to pay again. In
other words. the zone system is
carefully worked-out plansto garner
these populous subdivisions. who. even
providing the professions Of the rail-
way company we're In accord with
their Intentions. would be exempt
from it's effects.
The natural results of the zone
system as regards the depreciation
In realty values in those parts Of the
city outside the one-fare district and
the necessary slump in the growth
of the many outlying subdivisions to
which SO many Of Washington have
moved in late years. are all too we'll
known to require further exposition.
but the fact that two great United
States institutions for the veterans
and wounded of our wars are also
outside" has not, perhaps. been
realized. The United States Soldiers
Home and the Walter Reed Hos
pital are the two establishments re-
ferred to. and it will be a matter of
sincere regret II these soldiers will
be compelled out Of their modest sal
aries to insure to holders Of railway
stock their usual satisfactory divi-
dend. J. M. COTTER.