The Washington herald., 1919-01-10
FREE CAR CHANGES
TO BE GRANTED AT
SEVENTEEN POINTS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

summing up of the testimony of
witnesses by stating:
when We examine a witness, we
believe him entirely, in part, or we
wholly disregard his statement, de-
pending upon who he is and what
his past record has been. In the
light. of its past record, we ought
to waive entirely the statement of
the Washington Railway and Elec-
trict Company"
At this juncture the speaker was
interrupted by Chairman Kutz. who
said: Il do not understand that the
attitude of these two companies is
materially different"
Explains Differences.
The Capital Traction agrees not
to interpose any legal objections to
such transfers as may be ordered by
the Commission" replied Mr.. White,
but the Washington Railway and
Electric Company states that it is
unwilling to agree, as it hasn't suffi-
Cient revenues. Let US not make an
other mistake about what these COM
panies are going to do. One has been
made l want it in the record. One
of the cases contested by the COM
panv has been pending in the Su-
preme Court for more than a year"
Here President William F. Ham
interrupted, and said the record
would show he had stated that the
company would agree, provided the
Public Utilities Commission would
protect them against loss of revenue.
A hasty examination of the record
by Secretary Walter Allen was made,
but the statement made by Mr.. Ham
was not found. Mr.. Allen later said
he had found where Mr.. Ham had
stated he was willing to try the free
transfers for a limited period.
Puts Crucial Question
Although fortified with reports of
the Utilities Commission for half a
dozen years back and prepared to
make a long speech, White stated
that he would bring his argument to
an immediate close If the Washing
ton Railway and Electric Company
would answer satisfactorily the fol-
lowing question:
Does the Washington Railway and
Electric Company agree. now, to put
into operation, and not to contest in
court, free transfers between the
companies at every point where or
dered by the Public Utilities Commis-
sion. and leave the question Of rates.
including transfers, to the results Of
a free trial?''
The company agrees" declared ].
J. Darlington, general counsel of the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company, but reserves the right to
ask for increased rates whenever it
desires to do So"
Clayton Delivers Arguments.
White expressed himself as perfect
ly satisfied with this statement. and
W. Nick. Clayton, chairman of the
public utilities committee of the Fed
GRAFTON of Citizens Associations. took
up the cudgels for the people in
favor of free transfers.
There is a feeling" declared Mr..
Clayton, that the Public Utilities
Commission has not done as much as
it could to enforce the law requiring
the street car companies to establish
free transfers and give more adequate
service.
In addition to the seventeen points
recommended in the Beeler report the
public believes there are other points
which should be considered. In all
there are something like fifty inter
sections of the street car companies,
where transfers may be found advis-
able. The Beeler report recommends
only seventeen, but We are emphati-
cally OF the opinion that the door
should not be closed as to future
hearings on additional transfers, and
we reserve the right to ask the COM
mission to establish additional transfer
points.
Believe Law Mandatory.
We contend" continued Clayton,
that the law under which we ask
free intercOmpany transfers is man
datory, and that the commission has
little. if any. discretion in the matter
except to enforce the act Of Congress
of August >, 1894.
AS to the additional burden placed
on the companies by reason of the
inauguration of the free transfers
recommended, it is 50 small that it Is
a mere straw"
Frank L. Ball, appearing as a pat
ron of the WashingtOn-Nirginia Rail
way Company, and on behalf of the
thousands of government cmploves
who work in Washington offices but
sleep in Alexandria County. made a
u 'lt- btN a NAlcl passengers coming
from Virginia, and who pay u city
fare over the line of this company
from the Highway Bridge. be given
the same privilege Of free transfers
that other city passengers enjoy. Mr..
Ball declared that this company had.
with the abolition of the rate of six
tickets for n quarter. been able to
increase its charges from Is cents
to straight scent fare, just as the
two city companies had done.
Plea for Mount Pleasant.
+. 9. Bryan, of the Northwest
Savings Bank, urged free transfers
north and east at 18th and Columbia
road. on the ground that il will aid
in the development of one of the
most rapidly growing sections of
the city.
William ]. Latimer, of the Ana
costa Citizens Association called
attention to the need for transfers
at Sth and C streets.
w. +. Smith. of the Mt. Rainier
Citizens Association, urged free
transfers at lexington Place and
Florida avenue.
John Rhodes. of the Petworth Cit
liens Association. urged establish
ment Of transfers at eth and Florida
avenue.
While on the stand BeeIer was
questioned by White sharply as to
how much money had been paid out
to the corps of traffic experts and
whether he was in the employ of
the Capital Traction Company.
Beeler replied that the investiga-
ton. to date. had cost possibly s2O.-
IA IL