The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-05-07
TRANSFER TO
RIVAL CO. MAY
COST z CENTS
Other Suggestion Made That
w. R. Ct Get Zone Fare on
Suburban Lines.
By BILL PRICE.

One OF the latest suggestions uldue
in connection with the application be-
fore the Public Utilities Commission
for relief for the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company is that the
company be allowed TO charge 2 cents
for each transfer issued to the Capital
Traction Company, these transfers
now being free.
Another suggestion that Will be De-
fore the utilities commission, should
a majority of it's members reach the
conclusion that the company is en-
titled TO relief-and up to this time
a majority has not reached such
conclusion-is that the w. R and (.
be permitted to charge an extra zone
fare on the three suburban lines
which il claims are financial mill
stones around the neck of the parent
company.
Both suggestions are informally
offered for the purpose of avoiding
either an increase in fat fare in
Washington, practically beyond
serious consideration, or the imposi-
tion of q two-zone fare system cover
ing all suburban lines, including
those owned outright by the COM
pany Each suggestion is being given
thought among officials attached to
the utilities commission. The oppo-
sition to two-zone fares generally is
50 pronounced as to make ii almost
certain of defeat il ever submitted
TO a vote in the commission.
The real issue before the commits
sion Is whether ANY relief should be
granted. with a strong tendency
toward the conclusion that il there
IL to be relief 1t does not need to be
so extensive as all-around two-zone
fares Consequently, thought is being
given to measures Of relief On a
lesser scale
Free Transfers One Way.
The idea of a 2-cent charge for
transfers in one direction is that this
would be q slight tax upon suburban
ties for the longer rides the COM
pany charges they get The Capital
Traction would not figure in the
transaction. The W. r. and z. would
collect 2 cents on transfers issued to
the Capital Traction, but the latter
would not be allowed to charge for
transfers now issued free to lie W.
R and e, which would be compelled
90 honor these transfers. 1t is a free
transfer one way and a psy-the other
proposition
The company has heretofore sub
Ritted to the Utilities Commission tina
claim that as IL does most Of the sub
urban hauling for Washington It
should receive & larger proportion OF
whatever fares are divided between
he two companies. In the act of Feb
Suary %, 1895. by which coupon
-S9clet transfers were sold at four for
Q quarter-these being done away
With when free transfers were inau-
gurated-the law expressly provided
hat the money derived therafrom
should be divided so that a suburban |
'hne would receive 81 cents Of tho
81 cents charged and a city line ~
cents, a recognition OF the contention |
that lines hauling the ,ong. st d'S- |
tances should have better than an |
equal division OF the money.
Company Offers Objections.
To the idea Of a 2-cent transfer |
charge to cover its long hauls the
". R and E may offer objections /
that the sum TO be derived would be |
q mere drop-in-the bucket" to what |
II needs; that this would be just q /
bite OF cake at a time, causing them
to be constantly before the commits |
sion asking for more revenue. The
company has been hoping that the /
commission would open its heart"
and be liberal, stopping for a time !
the necessity for practically living /
before that body asking for crumbs
OF financial comfort
When the special meeting Of the
board Of directors OF the company is
held tomorrow afternoon all these |
and many other matters will be dis
cussed and a probable policy shaped.
The meeting is for the purpose of
seriously considering the grave con-
dition" Of the company at this time,
II is officially stated.
Among the other things will be
that OF throwing certain suburban
lines overheard to shift for them
selves; tying them UP in bags. as II
they were undesirable cats, and drop
ping them in the deepest water to be
found Legal officers of the Utilities
Commission say that when this is at
tempted there will be some OF the
hottest court work ever seen in the
District
Real @NiEEer-in- W OOd-P1Ie.7
The real Observation-Disclosures pile"