Evening star., 1919-04-26
Unanimous Against Increase.


Not only did this resolution carry
by a unanimous vote. but there was
adopted without dissent a resolution
presented by W. 1. Swanton, chair
man of the public utilities committee
of the Columbia Heights Association.
protesting against any increases in
fa-es whatever, and urging the Public
Utilities Commission to postpone
further consideration of the railway
company's relief petition until it has
completed valuation of the COM
panyS property
crowd that was expected. less than
fifty persons being present. The ma
jOrity were suburbanites. Criticism
of the Washington Railway and Elec-
trio Company was freely indulged in.
but the company and its troubles did
not monopolize attention. The Public
Utilities Commission also received
censure. and telephone and gas rates
figured in the discussion.
II one thing was made clear it was
system hasn't any friends among
those who live in, the outlying dis
tricts. Several delegates Indicated
that their communities might not op-
pose relief being given the company.
If il were shown to be absolutely
needed. provided it were not afforded
through the medium of zone charges.
Merging Of Systems Advocated.
means of permanently ending Wash
ington's street railway troubles also
was extensively advocated. Mr..
Swanton presented resolution from
the Columbia Heights Association
advocating consolidation. and Will
public utilities committee of the
Federation of Citizens Associations,
spoke in favor of 1t.
In suggesting that legal proceed
ings be instituted for the restoration
Of the x-tickets-for-a-Quar ar
rangement. George A Ward charged
that Congress had blundered in CIV
Ing the utilities commission authority
10 change street car rates. which
were definitely fixed at five cents in
prising the Washington Railway and
Electric Company system.
Charters cannot be amended in
such a promiscuous manner" declared
Mr.. Ward. Employ a good lawyer
and test the law You will go back to
six tickets for a quarter II you do"
Would Let Receivers Take W. B. e.
Mr.. Ward further charged that the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company is not Incorporated and has
Let it go into the hands of receiv-
ers." he advised. who cares? No
body but the stockholders and bond,
holders"
Mr.. Ward said that he had no fault
To md with the utilities commission
for increasing the street car rate, as
ii was not up to that body to test the
legality of the utilities law. but that
he did blame the commission for in
creasing gas rates over the rates es-,
tsblished by Congress.
Suggestion that the public would
have nothing to lose in a receivership
condition being brought about for the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company was taken up by Frank Met
zerott and others. 1t was stated that
the public would come out better in
the end il the company's affairs were
taken into court and the water
squeezed out of its stock. Estimates
made by the speakers rs to the
amount of watered stock the company
has ranged from $12.ooo.ooo to $15,-
eo0.00e.
Mr.. Armstrong; Criticism.
Kenneth p. Armstrong, representing
the Rhode Island Avenue Citizens
Suburban Associatioo, criticised the
company's policy of including devel-
opment costs in capital account He
charged the company with wanting
TO earn return on everything spent
since its organization and said that
at this rate its capitalization would
reach an enormous figure, on which
reasonable return could not be
earned.
At this point one of the delegates
called Mr.. Armstrong; attention to
the Capital Traction Company fire, in
1892. which resulted in that company,
at big expense, changing from