The Washington times., 1920-04-21
URGE FORCED
CAR MERGER
Congressman Mapes Drawing
Up Bill to Make Combine
Compulsory.

Opposition In Congress to scent
street car fare found expression today
In a wide divergence of views re-
specting the voluntary merger bill in
troduced by Congressman Woods or
Virginia, which has the sanction OF
the District Commissioners and rail-
way officials.
When street railway legislation is
again taken up by the House District
Committee. Chairman Carl Mapes 10
expected TO lay before II at the same
time a bill providing for compulsory
merger OF the two principal traction
systems.
Mr.. Mapes does not believe the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company and the CAPITAL Traction
Company will ever voluntarily merge,
despite the condition attached to the
proposed combination OF the former
company with the Potomac Electric
Power Company, as provided Tor In
the bill introduced yesterday by Con-
gresham Woods.
johnson shares View.
Proceeding on the theory that Con-
gress has a legal right to force q
merger in the protection OF public In
terest, Chairman Mapes Is studying
bill now to make this merger COM
pulsory. Congressman Ben Johnson
fof Kentucky, former Democratic
y chairman OF the committee. Is another
who believes with Mr.. Mapes that
bill could be so drawn that could
stand any test suit brought in the
courts by either one of the companies
on the ground of unconstitutionality.
While members are struggling with
merger legislation Congressman Up
shaw of Georgia has come to the front
with bill to set rate OF cents
less than the regular fare for strap
hangers" He frankly declared his
measure would throw a monkey
wrench into the present works of the
two companies. Mr. Upshaw takes
the position that the companies should
be forced to consolidate II they can
not give proper service in any other
way.
Referring to his bill. Mr.. Upshaw
said: "Women who stand all the way
to work are worn out before they be-
gin, and II is unthinkable that they,
or men who have to stand. either,
should have to pay as much as the
person who has seat My bill, II
passed. would set an example for the
whole country"
Romjue Favors Mapes' PRan.
CONGRESSMAN Romjue Of Missouri,
member of the District Committee.
will line up with Chairman Mapes
and others in favor of compulsory
merger. He was emphatic in repudi-
ating the Scent fare order of the
Public Utilities Commission.
"There is no occasion for It," he de-
clared, "and unless a merger is
brought about soon 1t may result In
the necessity for a compulsory merg-
er Of the two lines. 1t certainly should
come to that rather than to extract
fo
public.
"A forced measure wouldn't be un-
constitutional as some would have us
believe, but, of course, If you merge
by compulsion the property would
have to be appraised and paid for at
its reasonable value.
THE Government always has the
right of eminent domain-the right
to have the property condemned when
There is clear constitutional au-
thority in such a move
Companies Want Woods Bill.
Entire approval of the Woods bill
is expressed by the District Commits
sioners and the executives of the two
street car companies who framed the
measure Jointly with Congressman
Woods. They will use all their influ-
ence to have the bill reported favor
ably from committee instead or a
compulsory measure.
Mr.. Woods defended his measure in
an explanation OF how the changes
would affect the revenues of the two
companies.
"The Washington Railway and
Electric Company" he said, with the
per cent gross receipts tax reduced
to 1 per cent and the payment of
traffic policemen's salaries dispensed
with, would pay in taxes to the Dis
trict approximately $4,000 instead Of
the 100000 1t is now paying.
"The Capital Traction Company, on
the other hand, would pay approx
mateIy $4,000 into the District
treasury where 1t now pays but
$500 900. Thus the revenues received
by the District would remain sub
stantially the same, with the earning
power of the two companies more
cqualized.
The increased earnings from the
Potomac Electric Power Company, II
consolidated with the Washington
Railway and Electric Company, would
provide a further increase in Its
revenue and enable ii to reduce street
car fares.
Mr.. Ham has brought his company
rcarer to realization OF a merger by
declaring his Willingness to disregard
the capitalization of his company in
considering merger, and base 1t
on the potential value of the prop
crty"
Congressman Mapes is expected to
introduce his compulsory merger bill
within a short time, and until then
the committee will not meet to con-
slider railway legislation until all
measures are before It.