The Washington times., 1919-01-15
There Is No Need For Increased
: Street Car Fares Under Gov
ernment Ownership
ly Real Property Should Be Bought-No Blue Sky.

The transfer question is settled-at least for the
ent. Beginning February the public will be granted
The prvegefought for by this newspaper for
ansfeng without extra fares from the cars OF one tac
lion company 70 the cars Of the other.
The Times does not believe that this privilege VIII
result in any real financial hardship to either company
Present indications are however that free transfers
nay shortly be made the basis Of request the part OF
one both of the traction companies for financial as
sstance.
Representations are likely made that there should
be order from the Public Utilities Commission author
ing charge for transfers increase Of one or two
cents in the regular fares.
The Times is convinced that neither of these things
are necessary to either company:
If dividends are paid only a capitalization
representing real, bona fide visible assets and not
= stock jobbing, high finance, bluesky securities
:. which have nothing tangible back of them;
If all leakage from dishonest employees is
stopped and it is made certain that what the pub
lie is paying gets into the company treasures;
But if, considered basis of proper valuation and
dividends and of effective management the
Commissioners shall be convinced there shortage
Of income that promises by its seriously
cripple either both of the companies hen and then only
should they give ear to demand for increased fares
Favorable consideration should be given to no plan
which does not couple with the increased payment the
public an snforcble ruling that SAFE dependable and eff
cient service must be rendered
If an increase is made to hinge upon the above con-
the slightest ground for granting it
=. And
with present incomes both companies but notably
the W. E. E. not able being able do promptly
bring the service to reasonable degree Of efficiency
and safety the Commissioners should petition Congress
condemn and take both lines at their real value and
operate them as Government properties
Conditions they exist notably on the w. B. & E.
lines menace to le constant expense in lost time
TO every person who rides the Government and every
other employer in the District; economical for
which there is no excuse since Government ownership will
furnish q ready remedy.
If the water supply of the city privately owned
and for purposes Of increased improper profits the
furnished insufficient flow allowed it to become
foul and heahful rather than spend the money
ery maintain there would be remedy quickly de-
vsed
That remedy would be for the Government to take
over and that Government ownership allows such
conditions to continue is proven by the fact that it
allows them to come into existence at all
The service has for months been insufficient
volume and dangerous in operation It is time some
action taken to better it.
The companies say they doing the best they can
It is self evident that that isn't good enough There
substantial basis for hope of Improvement except
increase IN cost to the public wholly unwarranted.
~ The time for Government ownership is here