Evening star., 1920-03-24
COMMISSION WILL
NOT FORCE w. R. E.
TO RECEIVERSHIP

CONTINUED from First Pase.)
uuired If this indicated a change IN
policy recently. and II so. why?
The witness replied that in the
previous years the directors paid the
dividends because they were striving
to preserve the credit Of the company
but that the limit has been reached:
Mr.. Ham expressed the belief 1t would
have been suicidal to declare the last
Mr. Ham and Mr.. Clayton then en-
gagged in. a discussion as to whether
traffic on the Washington Railway and
Electric would fall on as the rate OF rare
goes up.
"Do you think a limit can be
reached in fare increasesT Mr.. Clay
ton asked.
well, don't think the limit has
been reached hero yet" Mr.. Ham re-
you don't anticipate improving
service with this increaseT Mr.. Clay
ton propounded.
what do you want in the way Of
better service, Mr.. Clayton?' Mr.. Ham
replied.
Cites Existing Needs.
McClayton then recited need for more
cars, quicker service and the ironing
out Of congestion in some parts Of the
city.
Il am glad you mentioned those
points," Mr.. Ham went on. New cars
and trackage depend on the ability OF
the company to borrow money. II we
are given an earning power sumctent
to enable US to borrow money at rea-
sonable rates, we will do these things.
This company has a rather ambitious
program for new trackage. but con-
sideration Of these things is out Of the
question in our present condition. As
to the regularity OF service. that de-
pends on track, equipment and EN-.
tracks and good employees and we can
render regular service"
Lack of any one Of these three
requisites. Mr.. Ham pointed out, re-
suits in delays in service.
In answer to a question. Mr.. Ham
Washington Railway and Electric are
as good as those Of the Capital Trac-
tion Company.
Would Combine W. n. e. and Pepco.
A combination Of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company and the
Potomac Electric Power Company as
the remedy for the present street car
situation was proposed by President
Evan H: Tucker of the Northeast
w
behalf of his organization.
''It is not fair to give one company
an excessive rate to keep the other
company on its feet" he declared.
I'VE believe that II the two companies
were merged. since they are at present
from the right hand of the Washing
ton Railway and Electric to its left,
the rates could be properly and agree
ably adjusted"
Commissioner Kutz interrupted to
ask whether this would not mean an
increased rate for electric current to
users. since all the profits Of the pow
er company at the present time were
paid to the railway company. Mr..
Tucker admitted that this was a fact.
but added that the electric current
rates had been kept low on account
Of the fact that the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company was the
largest and virtually supporting user
Of the current manufactured by the
power company.
He declared that an increased elec-
trio light current would meet less op-
position than the 7-cent fare. and that
the reduction of paoronage following
non-practicability Of the fat street
car fare increase as a relief.
Opposing Zone Plan.
Rev. Charles S. Akin. D. D., of the
Catholic University, as a member Of
the Brook1and Citizens Association.
presented a statement opposing a zone
system as q means OF relief on ac-
count Of the injustice which might be
worked by such a proposition upon
suburbanites.
"The zone system would stifie the
suburbs" he said. "A healthy growth
of the suburbs must rebound to the
benefit Of the company itself. it ap-
pears. It is beautiful in theory. but
in practice it becomes a cloak for
the charge of excessive rates for in
sufficient service.
Last fall an overwhelming major
ity OF the people Of the District were
opposed to the system and I do not
believe sentiment has changed"
AS chairman Of the railways COM
mittee Of the Brookland Citizens As
ISOLATION, W. S. Ayres placed his as
ISOLATION on record in opposition to
any raise in fares, except by fiat in
crease.
IF necessary" he said, I'VE are
willing to pay our just proportion Of
an increase. But zone system would
set back real estate values in Brook
land, and would probably drive people
into the District, where houses are
already congested."
he said that he preferred an eight
cent fiat rate to a two-cent transfer
rate with the seven-cent fare.
Supports Merger Proposition.
E. F. Sappington, president Of the
Mount Pleasant Association, presented
a short brief on behalf Of his organi-
zation, supporting the proposition for
a merger Of the two lines and dedar-
ing that the situation facing the COM
pany would not be conclusively rem
edied through another raise in rates.
1.-The Columbia Heights Citizens
Association is unalterably opposed to
an increase Of any kind or sort" de-
clared George A. Ward, representing
the association. 1--WE have no grounds
for complaint on the Mount Pleasant
line at the present time. We also are
opposed to the taxation If the cleo
trio light user for the street car def
cit. We doubt the legal authority for
the zone fare"
"What would you suggest as a
remedy, since you are opposed to
fat raise. the zone system and a
higher electric current rate?" asked
Commissioner Kutz.
LET the w. r. & d. 60 back to
that from which 1t grew" he replied,
after declaring that he would state
his crank opinion" Let it go into
the hands OF receiver. wipe out the
indebtedness and start over again." &C.,
Queen Mother Works for Children.
MADRID, March 22.-rhe Queen
Mother of Spafn IA Giving hAr an.