Evening star., 1919-08-25
v. R. &E.HASPlANS
TO SATISFY LABOR
Would Raise Fares or Seek
Change in Light and
Power Charge.


Washington Railway and Electric
Company officials are in conference
today, discussing two measures which
would enable them to meet the de-
mands for increased pay for employees.
One plan is a raise in street car
fares. The other is the setting of a
jointly by the Potomac Electric Pow
.hien q asss ~oaId e esins s in assisissa7 @ sss-
enue to the company.
cosf5Ssij a IS s to set forth the u a6dis
ional cost of granting the pxy ms,
crcases. One ofncial stated today that
1t would not be surprising II these
dollars year.
Electric Light Aid Favored.
The plan looked upon with most ia
vor is the electric light relief meas
ure 1t Is pointed out that electric
light consumers receive much lower
rate because of the nucleus Of cleo
trio current consumption by the rail-
way company. If the railway did not
contribute to the output by huge de-
mand for current, and manufactured
current separately from the electric
power company, 1t would be necessary
to ask for a higher rate for electric
lights. 1t is claimed. In this manner,
officials state. the Washingtonian who
rides on the street cars helps to keep
the rate low for an electric light con-
sumer.H
The justice of taxing the electric
light-using public in order to help the
street car passenger is the point in
lower rates mutually. it would not be
unfair to ask either for help for the
other, officials contend.
Situation Summarized.
At the present the electric light
revenue situation is as follows:
A maximum charge of 10 cents per
kilowatt hour is being made.
OF this charge, on account of an
order of the Public Utilities Commits
sion in September, 1917, only cents
goes into the Golfers of the Potomac
Electric Light Company. This has
been the case SINCE the issuance of
the order.
The remaining cents per kilowatt
hour has been laid aside in a trust
fund for almost two years. awaiting
the decision Of the court on litiga-
tion regarding the rate.
costs have increased. and the rate Of
a maximum charge of 10 cents per
kilowatt hour set by Congress in
1900, when conditions were not so
strained, would be preferred by the
company.
What the company proposes to do.
II this plan is adopted, it was declared,
would be to go to the Public Uultles
Commission and say, in effect:
I'VE need relief. The street car pas
senger has kept the electric light rate
low for the consumer. Now let the
tr;o 0h vyf hA
street car passenger Let the fund
caused by litigation remain until the
court acts. But establish a new rate
beginning, say. September l, granting
us the 10 cents per kilowatt hour cleo
trio light rate.
Consumer Would Pay the Same.
"It will not mean that the consumer
will have to pay actually more than
he is now paying. 1t means that the
two cents win cease going into the
trust fund, which viii be turned over
either to the company or to the con-
sumer by the decision of the court"
In this manner. it is stated, sufficient
funds might be raised to tide over the
emergency. Arrangements could be
made between the railway company
inRs in current manufacture. The
savings thus made could be applied
for the relief Of present railway con-
ditions.
In case this plan could not be, made
to work out satisfactorily the only
course to pursue, company officials
declare, would be to petition relief in
the shape Of higher fares.
Valuation Likely Soon.
Another important incident enter
ing into the situation is the fact that
the fair valuation of the company will
probably be completed and made pub
lie within a week. Upon the fair val
uation of the company, as made by
the Public Utilities Commission.
fair return in the shape of street car
fare rates could be made. If this is
satisfactory. no further action would
be taken by the company, 1t was
stated
Another angle. II all other resorts
fail. is the petition for a zone system
of fares. This proposal when made
previously, met with great opposition
from suburban passengers. Although
the company views 1T as the fairest
n, Aa aura Of pAliAf m account of auch