The Washington times., 1919-01-04
PROPAGANDA
OF FINANCIAL
WOE STARTED
BY CAR4INES
BY BILL PRICE.

4 That talk Of a scent or 7-cent
street car fare for Washington has
caused something that rhymes with
ben TO break loose. The odOr will be
typical. too, before the suggested in
creases are made. IL they ever are.
But the facts are what the people
want and are going TO get
They are that the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company, with the
Capital Traction standing OF in the
distance giving encouragement, is en-
tering upon q propaganda OF financial
woe, all preliminary to a final appeal
70 the Public Utilities Commission for
relief. based entirely upon the plea
that scent fares are not gcing to
give the companies sufficient rev.
enues to pay proper returns upon
their stocks and bonds.
1t Is not true that the W. R and
y. IL preparing data to file an early
petition for increased fares, although
that is the evident purpose in the
end The company is merely start
ing on the tale Of woe Ii ultimately
will reveal Possibly the tale Of woe
will be accurate enough in facts and
figures to make an impression on
the public and the Utilities Commits
sion
Undecided On Action.
The company, however, is not defi-
nitely decided on an actual policy OF |
asking for an increase. 1t really does
not know At this minute just what 1t
viii do beyond laying its difficulties 4
before the commission and the pub
lie. It's officers state frankly that
IL Is up against a bad situation,
which will get worse 50 long as high /
wages are paid the crews and en-
ployes generally, and so long as high |
prices prevail for everything used b.
the roads
It is denied today by the railway
authorities that the purpose Of the
facts already given out and to be
followed by others is one Of opposi-
ton to free inter-company transfers
at the interesting points recommend
ed by John A BeeIer, and on which
hearing will be held by the COM
mission next Tuesday morning.
The railway companies will not. Il
definitely was stated today, strongly
oppose the transfers. They cannot
favor them, on the other hand, in
view Of the alleged financial outlook.
The plan will be 70 tell the Utilities
Commission what Is the outlook, and
TO put the whole thing strongly up
TO that body. II the commission or
ders the transfers, NO LEGAL FIGHT
WILL BE MADE.
-Four Ways Of Relief.
The position of the Washington {
Railway and Electric Company today I
Is that there are four ways the COM
mission may follow in the event that s
body considers that the companies
win have to be given further anan-
cisl relief
l. Reduction Of wages and other
expenses. Neither officials OF the :
nor the Commission would l
approve this. Both say that at pres
mt cost OF living the employees OF
The companies are not getting any
more than that to which they are
untitled G.
2 A charge for transfers. Rail- n
way officials declare this would not c
De sufficient to give necessary help, s
N admission that free transfers as
would bear comparative
y little on the future financial af- e
airs OF the companies.
3. Flat increases in fares
4 Further issues OF bonds. Z
To the Utilities Commission, when s
yer the companies are prepared to n
make public their data, the recon- r
nendatior viii be take your choice C
4 these four" s.
The Other Side. =
The foregoing is the railway side Il
4 the situation 1t is at least def Il
litely settled today that il will take il
long time 20 convince the Commits (;
Ton that the companies are correct 81
a their conclusions. or that any of Ct
he four courses recommended will
ave to be followed. The commission 4
.nows a few things.
One Of these is that the doleful \
une now being played by the com
anies is based on figures Of receipts
nd expenditures before the Scent r
are went into effect They are also
ased upon the idea that Washington
} going to lose heavily in population
nd that the revenues Of the COM
znies will rapidly slide down hill.
The flat Scent fare went into effect
4 this city December !, last, just a
title more than a month ago. It had ts
cen ordered more than a month in j
dvance on representations Of finan- 81
Ial losses The result under this II
lcreased fare are yet to be made a.