Evening star., 1920-04-01
TRACTION
LINE NOT IN NEED
OF zone REVENUE
J. H. Hanna Tells Utilities
Commission w. R. and E.
Needs That System.

]. H. Hanna, general manager OF the
Capital Traction Company. told the
Public Utilities Commission at the
fare hearing yesterday afternoon that
the best solution to the problem is 20
es,ablish the zone system OF tire lines
Of the Washington Ksllway and Elec-
trid Companysonly.
He testified that the, Capital Trac-
:tfon Company does NOT need a higher
fare at the present time and. that a
zone system on the Washington Rail-
way and Electric would cost the peo-
than would an increase in the ffRt
fare, which would have to apply alike
to both roads.
Mr.. Hanna voiced this view when
asked by Engineer Commissioner
Kutz what he would do if he were a
member Of the commission. The
Capital Traction official added. how
ever. that while he believes his sug-
gestion would be the: cheapest for the
public as q whole, he feels that the
wishes of the people as to whether
they want a zone system or a straight
fare should be considered.
Col. I1utx Ont OF CITY.
The hearing adjourned at 6 o'clock
last evening until Monday morning
made necessary by the departure OF
Commissioner Kuts for New York last
night, where he is to take an exam
ination for promotion to the rank OF
colonel. ~.
Complying with the request of the
commission. Mr.. Hanna submitted a
zone plan for the two lines Of his
company which go into the suburbs
to Chevy Chase and Takoma Park
He made the plea, however. that these
lines be not zoned. He stated that
these lines are not competitive to
any great extent with the lines of
the W. r. and E. in the outlying
sections.
Mr.. Hanna recommended the west
ern entrance to the Zoo as the end
Of the first zone on the Chevy Chase
line and Colorado avenue as the end
Of the first zone on the 14th street
or Takoma Park line.
Traffic counts taken last week
showed that in twenty-four hours H.
069 passengers would ride to the Sec
ond zone on 14th street and 9,722 past
the first zone on the Chevy Chase
route. Mr.. Hanna estimated that with
a second fare Of 3 cents In the outer
zone the Capital Traction Company
would get $4,000 additional a year
and with a second fare Of cents,
$296.96S year.
In, asking that these lines be not
zoned, Mr.. Hanna said his company
does not at the present time need this
revenue.
Explains Important Facts.
MFR. Hanna's testimony brought out
several important facts about the
street railway situation which have
been generally misunderstood.
Hanna that while the Capital Trac-
ton did not ask for an increase from
the scent fare last October. that COM
pany would have been compelled to
seek an increase before this time if
the rate of four tickets for q quarter
had not been granted.
This fact was brought out by Com
missioner BrownlOw, who reminded
Mr. Hanna that the present rate order
provides for q return OF the scent
fare on May l. He said the Capital
Traction Company Is asking that the
present rate Of fare be continued, but
does not need q further increase.
Mr.. Hanna testified that without al
lowing for the recent increase of
$4,000 in wages and an increase in
the price Of coal. his company would
earn only about 4.39 per cent on its
physical valuation II the scent fare
should be restored. Commissioners
called attention to the fact
that this disproves the argument that
one of the, companies can operate at
a scent fare while the other cannot.
Another interesting point was Mr..
Hanna's statement that he did not
believe the Capital Traction Company
could have operated the Washington
Railway and Electric system with any
better results during the past two
years than have been obtained " the
Railway and Electric Of
fcers.
Measured Service Equitable.
Prof. Albert S. Richey. the zone
system expert from Worcester, Mass,
testified yesterday afternoon that
railway men Of experience recognise
service as moro equitable
than q nat fare.
william NICK. Clayton. representing
the Federation Of Citizens Associa-
tions, asked Prof. Richey II he
thought the street railway companies
would be seeking to establish the zone
system for the public's benefit il they
aid not need increased rates. \
Tho witness replied that In his opin-
ion the zone system would have been
instituted III . number OF American
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