The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-03-24

PILECLAIMS
AGAINST D. c.
Commissioners, Without Funds,
7, May Order Railway Com
panies to Make Repairs.
BY BILL PRICE.

BY BILL PRICE.
damage claims are piling up against
the District Of Columbia because Of bad
streetsand rOadways, notably along the
tracks of street car lines, with the
conditions Of various streets grow
worse.
These claims must either be settled
By agreement entered into by the
Commissioners and the claimants, or
60 to the courts for action there.
So fast are the claims piling mp,
that the Commissioners, as q matter
Of protection to the District, will
probably send orders to the railway
companies that they must enter upon
Wholesale repairing Of streets and
roadways. Most of the damage
claims result fro maccidents caused
By vehicles having to turn out for
others and In doing 80 striking deep
holes and Futs along the car tracks
Under the municipal regulations the
District must make repairs for two
feet each side of and between rail-
road tracks, and charge the expense
20 the railroads, practically form of
TAXATION, very expensive to the rail-
way companies.
Moaey and Labor Beta Scarce.
Owing to depleted finances and
scarcity of labor, street work in the
District has been delayed until the
streets, are in bad condition. Along
the HnesTof the Washington Railway
and Electric Company there are many
dangerous places for vehicular traf-
fic Unless the Commissioners are
able 70 offer for a defense that they
~
the repairs must be made the re-
sponsibilfty for claims for damages
viii rest upon the District
Engineer officers who have been
over the District find a bad state Of
affairs, the renedying OF which will |
cost hundreds Of thousands Of dollars, |
with the Washington Railway and
Electric Company claiming that Its |
finances are in such condition that |
is rot going to be able to make !
necessary improvements and puF-
chase new cars to replace the thiF- ]
ty-tWo that were burned recently in |
the Eckington barns.
Roadway repairs have heretofore |
been arranged by agreement between |
the District and railway companies, |
although the District has authority |
TO compel repairs IL the companies |
are able 70 pay.
Part Of RAILWAY situation.
This street work, the lack of which |
has left washington streets in de- |
plorsble condition, is part Of the |
utilities situation now before the |
Public Utilities Commission which lie |
made up OF the three District Com
missioners
The Capital Traction Company HIS !
set aside $500, 600 OF its funds for i'm |
provements along its tracks and has |
entered upon the work at some points, |
notably on Eighteenth street, south |
OF Columbia road.
The petition of the W. r. and Z. |
Company for further revenues from |
the public to meet its claims Of a |
serious deficit will come before tie /
Public Utilities Commission next Fri |
day. having been postponed from lest /
week. The counsel Of the company !
VIII make a desperate effort to obtain /
a decision meaning additional reve-
nues. In all probability they vii /
take the stand that these revenues |
should come from suburban riders l
travelling long distances They will /
not ask for an increase in the nat |
scent rate.
Light Petition Deferred.
former electric light rate Of 10 cents
per kilowatt hour has been Indefinite
~ postponed, the electric light COM
Dany and the utilities company pre-
1errtng TO await the forthcoming de.
cIGion Of Judge Gould before acting
Judge Gould is now writing his opin-
Jon in the appeal made to him by the
electric light company after the com
mission reduced the electric light rate
from 10 cents to cents in July, 1917
This decision may have important
bearing on the affairs Of the Potomac
Electric Power and the Washington
Railway and Electric. There is be-
fore Judge Gould not only the cues
Jion OF the reduction OF rate TO users |
OF electricity. but that OF valuation /
OF the properties OF the company. and /
whether the two companies shall be 1
regarded as one or as separate for /
rate-making purposes.
Appeal Almost Certain.
Whatever decision Judge Gould 4
makes Will likely be appealed to /
higher courts, but pending appeal the |
principles laid down will serve as
guide 10 the Utilities Commission in (
It's future dealings with street rail-
ways and other utilities.
Officials OF the =. Z 2 now claim I.
mat even II Judge Gould sustains the I
yaluatiOn OF $11. zoos made by the |
commission two years ago there must |
De added to this more than $1,000 900 4
aimee spent for additions to the prop
sTty, principally In large dynanlos at /
jSenninE. They will claim they should |
be allowed additional return upon this. !
which, at Z per cent, would be some |
thing like $4,000 more revenues |