Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-19
BY I. A. FLEMING.

The temporary measure Of relief
granted by the Public Utilities Commits
sion to the Washington Railway and
Electric Company should, under eco
nomical management. and if not toe
heavily tapped by the company's work
ers, enable the road to meet its fixed
charges, pay it's preferred dividend as
we'll as earn it and keep the property in
good physical condition.
1t remains to be seen whether TT ere
will be anything left over for the com
mon shareholders. The chances are
against it. but if an economical manage
ment is enforced there may be some
thing
On the other hand. the position Of the
Capital Traction Company has been
greatly enhanced by reason of the other
systems need; it's own receipts under
the five-cent rate being ample for re-
quirements.
f.. The granting of the increased rates
even for time now sets the stage for a
merger Of the Two systems and the ben
eft of savings from one system and one
management, thus at once giving uni
yersal transfers. which we have for the
first time. or will have after November
/, at cost of two cents.
There is one other matter to be set
tied. Judge Mccoy has not handed
down his decision in the Potomac Elec-
trio Light and Power Companys clam
for a retention of the 10-cent rate for
electric current. although the company
is still collecting it, but is putting two
cents in escrow pending the ruling Of
the court Should this decision. when
rendered. be favorable to the company,
its position would be that much
stronger.
Conditions today are more favorable
for a merger of the two companies I'M
der one management that they nave
ever been; there is a chance for the
formation of one big successful COM
pany that could give the people such
service as would make them forget the
increased fare.
Probably the Limit.
Whether or not the officials of the
Washington Railway and Electric Com
l,any will be satisfied with the measure
they will have to make the best of the
situation, for further extension of relief
would seem to be out of the question
The action of the utility commission
has been taken only after long consid-
Grafton and probably will remain un-
changed for some time to come, except
in the event Of lower fares being pos
sible.
Traffic on the street railways of the
city has been increasing at very
fast rate. The Washington Railway
and Electric Company, lost in its
earnings gross from operations in
1916. as compared with 1S14-15. but
made it up again in 1917, and added
much more in 1918, when the higher
Iares operated to enlarge receipts.
During the present year the earnings
should again show a very satisfactory
increase with the two-cent transfer
charge in operation for some months.
the fve-cent fare for the frst ten
months of the year and new fares for
the last two months.
Some Statistics Worth Saving.
There has not been an issue of
1'washington Securities" since 1913,
hence no tabulation of the earnings
of the various corporations of the Dis
trict in the interim.
The following figures showing the
operations of the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company for tina
years 1914-15-16-17-1s, are recent
compilation by the company, and are
interesting They indicate that the
heavily increased operating expenses
developed before the increase in re-
ceipts, although naturally the largest
increase came simultaneously with
the heaviest increase in revenue from
operation