The Washington times., 1919-04-17
R. &E. HEAD
ISPREPARNG
1OOANSWERS
President Ham Gets Ready to
Reply to Queries of Citizens
At Public Quiz.
by BILL PRICE.

by BILL PRICE.
The most spectacular quizzing con-
test in the history of Washington
will take place in the board room Of
the District building tomorrow night
when William T. Ham. president Of
the Washington Railway and Elec-
trie Company, will answer all ques-
uons that may be fired at him by
representatives OF labor and civic
organizations.
Before submitting TO general quiz
zing Mr.. Ham viii read his reply to
about 100 questions that were sub
mltted to him this morning by a COM
mtttee from the Federation of Cfti-
zens' associations composed of
MesSrs. ". 3. Westlake. W. Mckay
Clayton and Armstrong.
Plans Frank Replies.
Mr.. Ham is today digesting the
FoluminOus questions and will
seek to answer them tomorrow night
with the greatest frankness. His
company has announced its willing
ness to lay its cards before the pub
lie Of Washington-to open up every
thing connected with the business so
that the fullest light may be thrown
on it's petition to the Public Utilities
Company for increased revenues with
which 70 meet the deficit in operat-
ing and interest charges it claims to
be piling up right along.
The policy Of this company some
years ago was, like that of nearly all
Utility corporations, one OF the great
est unconcern as to what the public
might think about its affairs The
change in policy has taken place
since the election of Mr.. Ham, who
holds to the sensible view that the
public has mighty deep interest in
everything connected with street rail-
ways and iS entitled to know all the
facts, whatever they may be.
Citisens Want to BE Fair.
Mr. westIake, president Of the
Federation OF Citizens Associations.
has sunounced that his organization
wants to be fair 70 the company and
me public alike, and that it seeks the
Euth 90 that IL may know where to
sand The entire public feels about
Ths same way. although there is
lingering animosity toward the com
NAQI gGC1uG0 OL It's "66GELALuCGS anu
yeekIssEness in past years, when its
finances, IL conserved for such q
period as the last two years, would
have kept IL on the rocks that now
threaten.
While citizens associations may
eventually withdraw objection to ad-
dftional revenues for the company IL
facts develop that they should be
given, there 80 widespread. practically
unanimous, hostility to the in
stallation OF = two-fare, or zone, sys-
TEN IN this city, on the ground that
it's effects would be unfair to a large
percentage Of the population having
homes in the proposed second zone;
would probably change the future ap-
peGrance Of this city, and take away
from business men much business that
would. 90 TO small merchants who
would start mp establishments.
ever I,IOO Questions Asked.
Citizens laid before the quiz"
committee more than LOO questions
TO be asked Mr.. Ham, but Mr.. Clay
ton had 70 boil these down to about
100. Among these are many inquir-
ing aS 70 whether the company has
sybeyed orders, rules, and regula-
Il
mission; whether it has been fined |
Cor failure to obey; whether il thinks
4 IL giving such a service as Con- |
Eress desires; why the Capital Trac- !
zion 81 80 much more popular than !
the W. r. and E: why a merger of |
he two companies has not been
brought about; whether the public |
has been unreasonable in its attitude; |
5acts as TO the holders OF common |
stock: how many Of those holding |
common stock at the time Of the re- |
organization Of the company were |
bona fide purchasers" at market |
,aIue; what has been the average |
market value OF common stick since |
reorganization.
Among the more pertinent ques-
lions are these:
Are you familiar with the prin-
cfbles of the so-called service at cost
rvstem which have been adopted in |
certain other cities?'
DO you believe that a service at
lost system, if applied in Washington. |
>vould be beneficial to the stOckhold- |
,Ts of the Washington Railway and
Electric Company and to the public"
IF the present petition OF the
Washington Railway and Electric !
Company is dismissed, will the Wash |
s7Rton Railway and Electric Company |
erpport an endeavor to secure leEis- I
alton establishing the service at cost /
svgtem upon the lines OF the Wash |
snEton Railway and Electric Com |
7 any? VIII your oppose it?"
Board of Trustees.
WIN you and the Washington |
railway and Electric Company sup
mort a plan for the control of the |
Washington Railway and Electric |
company by a board Of trustees ap- !
bointed by Congress? Will you oppose |
it?"
what guarantee will the company |
give as to increased service II its /
rates are increased2"
IF an increase is granted, and at /
q future date the Public Utilities |
commission orders a decrease in |
rates, Will the company obey the or
der or appeal IL 10 the courts as the /
petomac Electric Power Company