The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-06-03
2-CENT RATE
ONTRANSFERS
HERE TO STAY
Commission, However, Probably
viii Take Action to Remedy
InjusticeS in Car Service.
BY BILL PRICE.

Numerous grievances of the public
over certain phases OF the 2-cent trans
fer charge on Washington street rail
ways VIII have to be taken up and
adjusted at an early date by the Pub
lie Utilities Commission
That the grievances are widespread
the commission DOES not doubt. 1t un-
derstands well that three-fourths Of
the town L. dead sore" over the
whole thing, but the an feeling is
especially strong on the part Of many
car riders who believe themselves to
be subject to injustices.
The commission is not at all likely
70 reconsider its 2-cent charge order
Tor the purpose of substituting some
other method, but IL will desire to
Gemedy injustices to the riding pub
lic,- and so soon as the new order is
deemed to have been in effect long
enough will take up the complaints
for consideration.
Limit en- Transfers.
The public is evidencing strong OBJ
lection 20 paying cents for transfers
which are limited to fifteen or twenty
minutes, believing that with this ad-
ditional charge it should be entitled
is unable, by reason OF tied-up SER
vice, to use his transfer he may use
IL later in the day.
A large number Of employees OF the
Bureau OF Engraving and Printing
report that yesterday morning they
paid the Capital Traction for trans
fers to the w. R & z. at Fourteenth
street and Pennsylvania avenue and
found w. R. & z. cars were tied up.
They usually run in hocks. So the
bureau folks, by hundreds, were COM
PEELED to walk SIX or seven squares,
causing some OF them to be late. The
cents they haid paid out avRiled
them nothing.
This same thing will happen fire.
uuently over the city. The passenger,
waiting long and patiently for q car.
will In desperation. walk to his des-
tination. or pay 4 fare on another
line That the commission should un-
hertalze to remedy this is the fixed
ppinion OF the public.
Carrfers Fear Abuses.
Railway officials declare that 20
extend the time limit would open
transfers to great abuse; that many
people would pay 2 cents for trans
fers when they dId not need or want
them and sell them to others for 8
pr cents. The transfer is supposed
70 be good for q continuous ride, on
the next car" they point out The
public declares that nobody knows
when the next car will be along.
Many Times readers, writing to this
paper, declare their belief that the
transfer charge is clearly illegal and
has been 90 held In some States. One
writer says that simply because a
man lives on direct line IL no rea-
BON why he should pay 4 transfer
charge. Other passengers may ride
much farther on q line OF through
Ears and are subject to only one
charge. This writer goes 80 far as to
recommend that people refuse to pay
the charge and test the question in
the courts.
Shifting Of Routes Of Travel
Railway officials believe there will
be a great shifting of routes of travel
Ia Washington in an endeavor Of the
subtle to avoid transfer charges. This
may affect some lines considerably.
Capital Traction officials today re-
ported a falling OF yesterday in the
humber or transfers issued Of about
20 per cent The W. r. & E. reported
a falling OF OF 3T5 per cent. and
President Ham believed. il soon will
reach 20 per cent, as people readjust
their routes Of travel to avoid trans
YESTERDAY the W. r. and E. sold
6s.9T5 2-cent transfers. As compared
with an average OF eight normal
week days in Nay this was q reduc-
sion Of 37h per cent An average |
day under free transfers was some
ching like $1,000.
Estianted Revenue Increase.
Sunday last there was a falling off |
IA pay passengers on the W. r. and |
z. Of about per cent. Yesterdays |
cay passengers averaged about the |
Fame as any normal day.
Should the pay transfers on the |
". r. and L. average $4,000 a day |
Tor 365 days this would bring in |
cbout 1929 900 more revenue each |
scar. Officials have declared their |
relief the increased revenue will not |
reach $4,000 q year. The Utilities |
commission estimated that II will be |
fF3o6 900 q year.
Persons located on lines with both /
through and part-the-Way cars be-
jfeve that for convenience and COM
fort Of travel they should not be re-
CURED to take through cars, but
f.hould be entitled to free transfers
from short-tFip cars 90 through cars.
q'hey are now required to pay a trans
fer charge.
M mi led AuU0IIUHEc