Evening star., 1920-03-31
EXPERT ESTIMATES
CAR |NCOMESF
VARIED ZONE EFARES
Prof. Richey Offers Figures
Based on Examination of
w. R. E. Conditions.
SPECIFIC RESULTS SHOWN
AT COMMISSION HEARING
President Ham Also Submits His
View of Shortage Under Present
Rates if Wages Rise.

Rates if Wages Rise.
WITH the boardroom of the Dis
frict building crowded with citizens.
the Public Utilities Commission to-
day heard Prof. Albert S. Richey. an
expert from Worcester, Mass, outline
q proposed zone system of fares for
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company.
Leaving the limits of>the first zone
the same as suggested by the COM
pany last September. Prof. Richey
presented figures to the commission
TO show how much additional revenue
the company would derive from dif-
ferent rates Of fare: Prof Rlcreys
figures showed the following facts:
A 7-cent fare in the first zone. with
a 2-cent fare in the outer zone. ac-
cording TO Prof Richeys hgures.
would give the company $611,5oO ad-
ditional revenue.
A T-cent fare with 3 cents in the outer
zone would give s71s,o0O more in rev
enue.
A 7-cent fare with cents in the outer
zone would give 1866. 600
II 2-cent charge for transfers Is al
lowed. s172,O00 would be added to these
estimates.
without Zone System.
Prof. Richey's figures also showed
that without a zone system the COM
pany would get $4,000 from a fiat
1-cent fare and cents for transfers;
s1S9500 from a rate of cents with
four tickets for 80 cents and cents
for transfers; $g97 900 from an scent
fat fare with cents for transfers.
William F. Ham. president of the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company, presented statement
earlier in the morning which showed
that il the company gives its em-
ployes the same rate of pay the
Capital Traction men are now getting
the estimated annual shortage in
revenue would be $91S,496.9O under
the present rate of fare
Outlying Districts Considered.
Regarding the development of the
Qptlying districts under the zone sys-
tom. Prof, Richey said that in the case
OF Springfield. Mass. the. plan had
retarding the growth of the suburbs.
He took up each of his suggestions
In detail, focusing the attention Of the
commission upon the Seven-cent nat
charge with five-cent zone. which
would bring in an estimated revenue
of $SS5.000. He added that a possible
One-cent charge for transfers would
make up the amount required to bring
that figure up to the stated needs of
the company.
He explained that the zone system
proposed that the first charge shall
be applied for any zone; that a through
zone ride would net II cents. whereas
IL no through ride were allowed the
charge would be Z cents for each
zone. or IA cents for both.
Mr.. Richey admitted that some
rides under this plan would cost the
passengers more than the cost to the
company. but that this was true in
any situation.
think
under the zone scheme would come
nearer paying a fair price for service
than under the fiat fare with a charge
for transfers. he said.
New Jersey Situation Explained.
Regarding the failure of the zone
system in New Jersey. Prof. Richey
said that during the examinations on
the system he had stated at two dis
tinct times that when the system
was to be instituted proper fare-col-
lecting devices should be installed and
that a gradual institution of the plan
was necessary.
'They put it into effect throughout
New Jersey all in one day." he said.
land the recommendations regarding the
fare collecting devices were not needed.
To this l attribute the failure of the
system there The result was that there
were riots in some places"
Questoned by William Nick. Clayton
as to whether he considered the new
eyStcIi SCneHlc OF measured SaFVica
the witness replied that it was "a step
toward measured service" He said that
Inc second step to the system which he
recommended in Boston. similar in MANY
respects TO the one proposed here was
10 estaoilsh three zones as soon as the
public became acquainted with the prin
ciples OF its operations.
Mr.. Clayton's Interjection,
Educate the public, as 1t were" in
terposed Mr. CLAYTON
Practically all of the suburban
citizens associations were represented
by delegates at the hearing. There
also were representatives present OF
The Central Labor Union. the Federal
Employees Union, the Chamber NJ
Commerce and score Of individuaIs
MI. Clayton's Contention.
When the hearing began. Mr.
Clayton. who represented the Fed.
Grafton of Citizens Associations
raised objection to the hearing of anw
evidence by the commission on a zone
system OF fares. arguing that the
charters of the companies drawn mn
by Congress provide for one fare FOR
a continuous ride in the District
we CONTEND" Mr.. Clayton went on.
that a zone system is distinctly dif
1erent from change in rates. The
charters provide for one fare and this
commission is bound by those char
ters. A zone system would he a
change from existing law and couId
be authorized only by Congress-
Mr.. Clayton read sections of the
public utilities act to bear out his
argument that while that law gives
the commission the right to change
rates. it does not repeal the provision
for one fare in the District
Queries by Chairman Kutx.
Engineer Commissioner Kutz. chair
man of the commission. asked .Iohn
S. Barbour. attorney for the Wash
ington Railway and Electric Com
pany. il he thought the commission
tenn.
Mr.. Barbour replied that in his
opinion the act creating the urilities
commission amended the charters of
the companies. giving the commits
sion full authority to fix whatever
rate of fare il deems wise and expe-
dent.
Commissioner Kutz then asked G.
Thomas Dunlop. counsel for the Capi-
tai Traction Company if he thought
the commission has the right to con-
slider zone system.
Il haven't the slightest doubt of
it," replied the attorney. Il agree
with Mr.. Barbour that Congress, in
creating the commission. amended
the charters. You might just as well
say that the commission has not the
right to make the fare 8 cents or Z
cents as to say it cannot specify the
Continued on Page 2. Column A.