The Washington times., 1920-01-29
President of w. R. and e. Shifts
Responsibility for Delay
of Combine.
VIEW COMPUL SION AS LIKELY
Probers Convinced ConsoIida-
tion Of Street Railway Lines
Must Be Forced.

William +. Ham. president OF the
Washington Railway and Electric
Company, washed his hands of all
responsibility for failure of the
traction systems to merge, when he
testified today before the House Dis
trict committee on the proposed
merger legislation.
Instead of putting the responsible
ity upon the two traction companies,
Mr.. Ham shifted the blame upon
Congress for its failure to provide
the necessary legislative machinery
to carry out such a project.
Blames Congress.
''There is no possibility of merging
until necessary legislation is pro-
vided," Mr.. Ham said. 'T CAN'T un-
derstand why the companies are
blamed when Congress itself has not
done anything" ...a
President Hams testimony before
the committee this morning served to
convince members of the committee
more than ever that the next step to
be taken is compulsory merger of the
traction systems. A bill providing for
this by acquisition of railway prop
critics through condemnation proceed
ings is about to be introduced into
the House.
Mr.. Ham said he did not believe
the power of Public Utilities act was
broad enough to permit an immediate
merger without additional legisla-
ton. He voiced the opinion of Con-
gressman Benson. of Maryland, that
a merger now would hardly be pos
sible because most of the property OF
the Washington Railway and Elec-
trio Company is mortgaged. The
way must be paved by Congress, was
the general consensus of opinion.
Advantageous to Public.
During the early part of his testi-
mony. Mr.. Ham brought to the atten-
tion Of the committee the desire OF
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company for a merger.
"It seems reasonable that a mer-
ger of the railway properties of this
company and its subsidiary compan-
les with those of the Capital Trac-
tion Company could be brought about
with advantage TO the public and
fairness to security holders" he
holders Of the company.
such a merger, however. should
include the railroad lines of our cont
panics and the Capital Traction Com
pany located within Maryland as we'll
as within the District of Columbia.
and should be combined with a plan
OF service at cost guaranteeing a rea-
sonable return upon the investment
and at the same time insuring the
car rider service at actual cost"
Relates Former Attempts.
Mr.. Ham related attempts on the
part of the Washington Utilities Com
pany some years ago to bring about
q merger of the Public Utilities Com
pany's lines in the city.
Because II was regarded by Dis
trict officials as stock -jobbirE
DEAL" he remarked, the plan was
failure.
Through the efforts OF that com
pany to effect a merger, he said, Sell.
ator La Follette's amendment to the
Public Utilities act was passed, Thif
prevents one corporation from
owning more than 10 per cent of thc
stock of another corporation in thu
District.
Mr.. Ham expressed the opinion that
no merger plan would be approved by
the District Commissioners until q
valuation of the properties had been
completed. Although a merger has
been freely discussed, no concrete
plan has been submitted to the direc-
tors of either company.
Cites Other Figures.
Congressman Mapes asked Mr.. Ham
IL he thought II practicable from q
public standpoint to keep on increas
ing the rate OF fares so that the sub
urban lines, none OF which pay eX-
penses, could be made self-sustaining.
81 do, indeed" replied Mr.. Ham.
you can't get a ride anywhere hard
~ for less than Z cents"
To substantiate this statement he
showed figures OF the street car fares
in other cities.
Bostonians pay 10 cents TO ride on
the elevated lines. In Pittsburgh the
fare is 10 cents, or ~ cents n ticket;
Baltimore, : cents straight fare: st
Louis. 8 cents and tickets 7A cent?:
Chicago, 8 cents, or two tickets for
10 cents: Kansas City, the same. In
Montreal, Cincinnati, and Council
Bluffs. T-cent fares, or -four tickets
for n quarter. prevail.
The question of taxation consumed
the greater part OF the hearing today.
fcont,nucd n paae q ColuunI~Al