The Washington times., 1919-04-18
URGE CAPITAL
TRACTION CO.
AID v. R. &E.
Suggest Rival Company Take
Over Georgetown and TenIey-
town Lines.
BY BILL PRICE

by BILL PRICE
The pronounced opposition OF citi-
sens associations to a two-zone fare
system in washington-chiefl based
on the belief that il will greatly in
ture the development Of the District
on lines beautiful. and turn business
away from the clty-is leading today
in the direction Of attempts to find
some new method of fair relief fct.
the Washington Railwsy and Electric
Company IL the testimony TO be taken
by the Utilities Commission shows
conclusively that it is entitled to ad-
dttional revenues.
Ths. NJ ,st imp ,rt Mt suggestion t.
day was that il the Capital Traction
Company would take over the George
town and Tenleytown line from the
the Washington Railway and Elec-
trio, that line being the weakest in
the chain OF the latter system. s.
cent fare would then be equitable
for both lines.
AS things stand now. one line asks
for nothing and another claims to be
on the brink Of bankruptcy. The
outlook is that this situation will
continue as between the two for
years to come, giving a continuously
sggravating problem for the Utilities
Commission as to how TO deal with
seperate companies not comparable
physically or financially.
Congress should long ago have au-
thorlzed the purchase Of the two sys-
TENS by the District, 20 be operated
a. one, or taken some step to compel,
if possible, a merger. That would
give the commission a single issue to
settle every time rate matters come
up. The whole thing now is so COM
plicated that nobody knows how to
deal with IL fairly. The pestiferous
problems involved will inevitably re-
cur keeping the town in turmoil
Might Favor 9 Cents.
The trend of Ahttmsht among rep
resentatives of citizens associations
who will gather at the District build
ing tonight to intsrrogate william
F. Ham, president OF the washington
Railway and Electric Company.- was
today toward a fat 6-cent fare in
preference to q two-zone proposition,
il the commission is compelled to do
something. That cannot be done un-
der existing circumstances. A Scent
Electric and a scent fare on the Capt.
tai Traction would mean the utter
ruin or the former financially. A fiat
scent rate for both might not yield
greatly increased revenues, as il
would start some short-haul passen-
gers to walking.
The idea today. however. was that
il the Capital Traction would relieve
the Washington Railway and Electric
of its worst suburban burden a fiat
6-oent fare would put both on S'.b-
stanti4Ily the same financial footing
and possibly settle for a good wlile
to come the complicated, embarras-
sing questions that are constantly be-
fore the riding public and the Utiiitics
Commission.
The W. r. & E. has presented Gg-
ures showing that the GeOTgeL Iwn
and TenleytoVn line has been a finau-
cial failure since IL was built and is
now running thousands of dollars
year behind its actual operating CK-
penseS, allowing nothing for returns
to its owners.
Could he Leased To Other Road.
It was said today by those in pos
session OF the facts that IT might not
be possible for the Georgetown and
to be sold direct to the
Capital Traction, supposing that the
latter road was willing to buy. tt
is owned by the w. r. & E, but
there are minority stockholders who
have for years refused to part with
their stock. The W. R. and Z would
be Perfectly willing, though, to lease
il for a term of years TO the other
road. That much is definitely known.
A proposition OF this kind would
require tactful negotiating in all di-
rections. It could not be brought
q bout unless the Capital Traction is
willing. That company would not be
willing unless it understood that as
a reward for carrying the road it
would be allowed revenues sufficient
10 meet the burden.
The suggestion also would depend
upon a review OF the local traction
field by the Utilities Commission after
the testimony OF the w. r and Z.
is all in on the revenue matter. II
the Commission should find that re-
lief would have to be given and that
i was confronted by the worst sort
Of compIications IL might then be in
a mood to listen to the transfer of
he line having in view the establish
nent Of q aat Scent rate all over the
District in preference to a two-zone
scheme.
The commission is, Of course. listen
ing 10 any and all suggestions for
square and permanent settlement Of
railway problems in the District and
will prefer to do that which promises
best, not only for the people but FOR
Of the District along lines
that are recognized by Congress aad
the public as best
JRENE HHSE- AuTn WcTIM