Evening star., 1920-11-24
MERGER COMESUP
AT TRACK HEARING
Utilities Board Indicates
Matter Has Vital Bearing
on Car Line Extensions.

Only such track extensions as
would be practical il the two street
railway companies We're consolidated
are likely to be ordered at this time
by the Public Utilities Commission.
This was indicated by a question
which Engineer Commissioner kutz
asked William T. Ham, president of
the Washington Railway and Flee
trio Company, at the hearing yester-
day afternoon.
Col Kutz asked Mr.. Ham if. in his
opinion. the proposed line on 18th
street from Z street to Pennsylvania
avenue would be useful in the event
Of merger at some future date.
II doubt seriously whether it
would" President Ham replied.
consider carefully the effect which
the 18th street extension would have
on the service of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company
1t was pointed out that line on
18th street. in order to reach fenn-
the tracks of the w. r. & r. either
ON IT street between Connecticut ave-
nue. and 18th or on 18th between II
and / streets.
The question of Col. kutz indicateu,
also. that the commission still hopes
for merger Of the two companies
Other Car Lines Discussed.
Most Of the time yesterday after
noon was devoted to arguments in
favor Of a line on NJ street from Sth
or nth street southeast to 9TH street
southwe est. and on New Jersey avenue
southeast from E to the proposed
line on NJ street
EMPLOYEES and officials of the navy
yard and civic leaders in the south
east testified for three hours as to
the need for better service to the
navy yard and also of the need for
direct route from the southeast to
the southwest
Robert p. Janson of Columbia Lodge.
No. ia. International Association of
Machinists. read a lengthy petition IN
support of the NJ street line. His
arguments were supported by A. A.
La Forest and J. j. Noonan.
Navy Yard Workers Want Line.
1t was testified that a large ma
iority of the 1000 employees OF the
navy yard now work in the vlclnity
of 4th street, whereas the Capital
Traction cars now terminate at Sth
and NJ streets southeast.
Lieut. G. H. Wheeler. U. s. n, and
Jesse b. K. Lee. chief Of the clerical
force of the navy yard, both told the
commission that the efficiency of the
big gun factory would be greatly i'm
proved by a car line on NJ street, pass
ing the several gates of the yard.
The yard, they declared. Is now
four times as large as it was when
the existing street car facilities were
built.
Mr.. Lee assured the commission that
there is not likely to be a reduction
in the force at the navy yard for
some time to come. since the local
yard now houses the big gun factory
of the Navy.
Admits Cause for Complaint.
J. H. Hanna. general manager of
the Capital Traction Company. ad
mitted on the stand that the navy
yard employees have just cause for
complaint in view Of the distance
they have to walk from the cars to
the new part of the yard.
He testified. however, that it would
be impractical to build line all the
way from Sth street southeast to eth
street southwest.
Mr.. Hanna suggested as a substitute
that the present loop from Sth to 7th
and from l. to NJ streets southeast be
extended on l. street to 4th. thence
south to III and back to Sth street.
This, he said, would take care of the
men who enter at the 4th street gate
and would cost only $133,720. Mr..
Hanna gave the cost of ardouble track
line across NJ street from Sth street
southeast to 7th street southwest as
$672. .707.
Mr.. Hanna also told the commission
he did not see much merit in the ex-
tension on New Jersey avenue from
+ to NJ street.
DR.. Charles M. Emmons, president OF
the Washington Citizens Association
argued strenuously for the NJ street
extension. He was supported by Rev.
-. c. keenan,.
The commission concluded the hear
ing yesterday.