The Washington times., 1920-01-07
How Long Is Our Insufferable
Street Railway Situation
to Continue!
By BILL PRICE.


The people Of this city soon to be put through
another street ordeal before the Public Utilities Com
mission that company may get sufficient while
he other to be handed wad of gold that it does not
need and should not have.
It's most extraordinary and intolerable condition
which Congress- the legislature for the District has the
to remedy through any of number of methods
The Public Utilities Commission, in its last decision
liking the present rates of fare admitted that it in
duty bound to allow the W. r. and f. to obtain revenues
above those then being earned of s5OOO more each year
that per cent might be had the valuation made
by the Commission.
The first months of test brings the company for
ward with claims that its earnings will fall short OF that
sum by at least 100000 II insists on having that much
more anyhow and under the policies of the Commission
az to cent return must be handed that amount from
the pocketbooks Of the people OF the city.
To give the company this additional revenue the Com
mission will have to impose straight cents fare, with
transfer charge in addition and that may fail bring
ing further hearings and agitaon further discomfort and
i'll feeling
fla cents fare would end it all for time the public
might stand for it after grng their teeth, but it will not
With the increased sought the W. H. and t.
will not be in position to greatly better service, buy new
and make roadbed improvements Its physical cond
is bad and punches OF money will be required to
properly rehabiltate it.
The other phase that the Capital Traction, which is
able to operate and pay dividends cents fare, will
be handed millions of public money which has
no just claim to-
The two cannot be separated in rates of fare, in the
opinion of the Commission cents fare the Capital
Il
that could not haul all the passengers trying to ride on
it and the other would lose much revenue it would
become an absolute financial wreck in short time.
Congressional committees know this. Each Senator
and Congressman knows the exact conditions and facts
The Government vital interest in the problem because
one fourth of the population of Washington is made of
federal and District employees not including the members
Of their families.
Congress knows that the solution is outright municipal
wncrshp or at municipal control that will enable the
wo lines operated using the tracks, inter
changing cars with executive head Yet for political
reasons Congress shuns the issue and pursues the
pussyfoocd policy which gives Mexicans much contempt
for America.
The very best local authorities agree that operated
one company the street railway lines here could pretty
near making ends meet STRAIGHT ) CENTS FARE
saving the public something like 100000 annually
Congress is only power that solpe this riddle and
should quickly The honorable gentlemen the Hill not
fairly pass responsibility the Utilities Commission The SoH
ion is compulsory legislation which Congress enact
Senator DIAL of South Carolina, member of the Sell
ate District Committee properly complains of poor street
car service here your committee Senator will invest
gate this railway situation, you will find what the remedy
should be- The people of Washington are entitled to
RELIEF from it all.