Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-09-30
Inner TerritoryIsFixed
by W. R. & E. Co.
Proposal.
nth AND F IS
CENTRAL. POINT
Public Utilities Commission
Will Not Raise Electric
Light Rates.

The Washington Railway and Elsc-
trio Company today submitted to the
Public Utilities Commission plans for
zone system on its lines which would
call for an additional hve-cent fare
from practically all persons who live
In suburbs reached by its lines.
The plan calls for an inner zone OF
approximately four and three-fourthe
miles in diameter. with 1lth and y
streets as the approximate center.
The company specified in its state
ment that an extra fare of 5 cents
should be charged in the outer sons
should also be the fare in the inner
zone.
In presenting the plan. however.
William F. Ham, president Of the COM
pany. told the commission that he
estimated that the. extra fare Of 5
cents in the outer zone would only
net the company between $55o.o0o and
100000 more revenue. whereas mil
lion and q half dollars IL needed to
permit the company to earn rea0on.N
able return aon its investment This
sum. he said. makes no allowances for
past deficits.
$500, 900 in Revenues Needed.
Mr.. Ham pointed out that his plan
for an additional five-cent fare OUT
side the inner zone would still leave
$500. 1000 in needed revenue to be made
up by increasing the fare for the In
ner zone and continuing a charge Of
at least one cent for transfers.
One interesting development today
was the announcement OF Engineer
Commissioner Kutx that the commits
sion win not consider supplying the
Company with additional revenue ~
increasing the rates OF the Potoman
Electric Power. Company for the cur
rent it, sells the public. G
,. Ths board foeH g tAe Distris
building was CROWDED With cttisensI
1rbs Of the city. and th5y voiced their
opposition to the zone plan by ap..
t1Atse whenever IN argument w66'
fAfsed akainst IT,
Thinks Congress Has Authority.
AS soon az the hearing began this
morning, and before Mr.. Ham had -
chance to read his sone plan. WILLIAM
ton Of Citizens' Associations, again told
the commission that he did not belieto
1t had authority to consider zone syo.
tenn and that such authority to estAb-
lish different rates Of fare in the Dis-
trict rested with Congress alone.
He asked to be heard in argument On
the question of whether the commissiou
had the right. Commissioners Kutx stat.
ed that the commission had no doubt u
its right to consider the zone systefls.
whereupon Mr.. Clayton gave notice that
the citizens were determined to fight u
hafnRA
necessary.
Will Combat Zone System.
citizens federation. wants plenty Of
time to present its case in opposition
to the zone system and that it con-
templates calling between thirty and
forty witnesses, including experts
from other cities:
The company" said Mr.. Clayton,
could not put rope around Its own
the inauguration of a zone system ON
its lines"
When asked why he estimated that
only about $560.000 would be derived
from the extra fare Of five cents in the
outer zone under his plan. Mr.. Ham
went into detail. to show how the
revenue from this extra charge would
be kept down.
Loss Of Patronage Claimed.
First, he allowed substantial re-
duction for persons who would get on
at the end of-the inner zone and walk $
to their homes. IL they did not live I.
too far from the end OF the inner zone.
In A.dition to those who would walk
pas, the inner zone, Mr.. Ham said,
ka lad to allow for persons who
would seek to use private convey
ances, for those who would ride less
and for those who could use the
steam railroads,
Mr.. Ham said allowance also would
have to be made for the possible
springing up of titney lines. as has
resulted J., ether cities where q some
system was put into effect.
Would Still Raise Inner Zone Fars. 4
Mr.. Ham made II clear throughout
his testimony that even II the extra
ed the company will have to get more
revenue by charging q higher fare
than cents In the inner zone.
Mr. Clayton and other citixens cited
Instances to bring out inequalities
which they said would result from
Air. Hams zone plan.
Alleged Unfairness shown.
For instance. Mr.. Clayton brouxhe
put that q man living at the end Of
East Capitol street and working In
could cover that route
Tor one fare, while q man living In
Petworth would have to pay two
,areR
Mr.. Ham said nobody realised more
Seenly than he that 1t is unfortun1te
hat people should have to pay more
.or street car service. but that the
Whole question has resolved itself into
whether the people are going to pay
what the service costs. or whether
hey are to continue getting the serv-
ce at less than cost.
Believes Burden u Peopae'2
In explaining why he felt that .
zone system providing for an extra
; cents In the suburbs should Be per-
nitted to make up part of the money
he company needs. Mr.. Ham said Ne
'elt that the people who live on the
ong lines should beat . portion of
he burden OF expense placed upon
hose lines by war conditions.
Commissioner Kuts announced that
he commission intends TO conaidee
,efore 1t concludes the hearing thu
lain Of the Washingten hallway and s
Electric Company, that TIE. rovenno
3rDm 6o-epnt i1tercom1ank
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