The Washington herald., 1920-04-21

proper service at reasonable rates
any other way.
Explains His BiH.
In speaking of his bill to penalize
the company for failing to provide
seats for all passengers it takes on,
he declared his measure would
throw a monkey wrench into the
present works Of the street car
companies.
women who stand all the way
to work are worn out before they
begin" he declared. "and 1t is un-
thinkable that they, or men who
have to stand, either. should have
to pay, as much as the person who
has a seat. My bill, IL passed.
would set an example for the entire
country"
with the Woods bill introduced
late yesterday afternoon, its author
explained the changes which would
be effected in the revenues of the
two companies.
Big Difference in Figures.
THE Washington Railway and
Electric Company" he said. with
The per cent gross receipts tax
reduced to l per cent and the pay
ment of traffic policemens salaries
dispensed with, would pay in taxes
to the District approximately $59,-
900 instead of the 100000 it is now
paying.
"The Capital Traction Company,
on the other hand, would pay ap-
proximately s360,OO0 into the Dis
trict treasury. where it now pays
but 100000. Thus the revenues re-
ceived by the District would remain
substantially the same. with the
earning power of the two compa-
nies more equalized.
THE Increased earnings from the
Potomac Electric Power Company,
IL consolidated with the Washing
ton Railway and Electric Company.
would provide a further increase in
it's revenue and enable 1t to re-
duce street car fares.
Mr.. Ham has brought his COM
pany nearer to realization of mer-
ger by declaring his willingness to
disregard the capitalization of his
company in considering a merger,
and base it on the potential value of
the property"
Utilities Board Approves.
Entire approval OF the Woods bill
for the merger of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company. the
Capital Traction Company and the
Potomac Electric Power Company
was expressed yesterday by both
Commissioners Brownlow and Kutz.
I'VE went over the bill with the
District Committee" said Brownlow.
land suggested several minor
changes. Both myself and Col. Kutz
approve of its provisions, but per-
sonally would not want the bill to
be adopted without previously hold
ing public hearings to get an ex-
preston of public sentiment on the
subject"
Senator Thomas. of Colorado, who
in a recent speech in the Senate
scored the action of the Public Utili-
ties Commission in granting a raise
of traction fares to s cents, express
ed grave doubt whether any definite
action could be secured in this Con-
gress.
Fears Too Much Politics.
Politics is the trouble" said the
Colorado Senator, "the same trouble
that afflicts so much needed legisla-
ton in the District and in the coun-
try at large. Especially in view of
the present congested condition of
the calendar. both in the House and
Senate, will be agreeably surprised
If definite action is secured on either
the Woods bill or the Jones bill
limiting fares to 6A cents.
Washington people will not get a
maximum fare of 6k cents. 1 am
afraid. 1 intend to vote for the
Jones bill because / think a 81 cent
! fare is just, and I am opposed to
letting corporations who are suf-
fering the penalty of their own mis-
management climb out on the
shoulders of an already overburden-
ed people. But 1t would be false
optimism to say that I expect any
such measure to pass at this time"